All Roll Calls
Yes: 287 • No: 22
ConnecticutSB 015412025 Regular SessionSenateWALLET
AN ACT CONCERNING THE OFFICE OF THE CORRECTION OMBUDS, DISCLOSURE OF DISCIPLINARY MATTERS OR ALLEGED MISCONDUCT BY A DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION EMPLOYEE, USE OF FORCE AND BODY CAMERAS IN CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES AND CRIMINAL HISTORY RECORDS.
Sponsored By: Judiciary Committee
Signed by Governor
Summary
To (1) lengthen the term of the Correction Ombuds, (2) modify the duties and powers of the Office of the Correction Ombuds, (3) amend the budget process for the Office of the Correction Ombuds, (4) modify provisions concerning use of force in correctional facilities, (5) require the development of a plan for use of body cameras by correctional officers, and (6) permit claimants to be granted permission to sue the state in the case of certain claims by persons who are incarcerated.
judiciary
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
Confidential complaints for people in prison
Beginning June 30, 2025, incarcerated people can send confidential complaints to the Correction Ombuds without first filing a prison grievance. The Ombuds provides free complaint access and must take steps to prevent retaliation or a credible fear of retaliation. Options may include electronic submissions, a hotline, or a locked box accessible only to Ombuds staff. These complaints are separate from the prison grievance and appeal process.
Record erasure hearings and fee relief
Beginning July 1, 2025, people can ask Connecticut’s public safety department to decide whether their criminal records legally required erasure. If relief cannot be granted immediately, the department must hold a contested hearing. Applicants must get the information considered at least 15 days before the hearing and a written decision within 15 days afterward. From July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, the department must waive eligible criminal-history or fingerprint search fees. Each person gets at most two waivers and must show payment for an earlier search that included records legally required erasure.
More public information on prison misconduct
Covered agreements and arbitration awards made on or after the disclosure section’s effective date cannot override required public-record disclosures. They also cannot bar disclosure of discipline for correction officers’ administrative-directive violations recorded in personnel files. Bargaining agents keep their existing state-law access to information. For cases filed beginning January 1, 2026, the Correction Ombuds and Attorney General must publish case titles and party names online. This covers cases against the Department of Correction alleging excessive force or medical neglect that the Attorney General defends.
Officer recording access with disclosure limits
Beginning October 1, 2025, correction officers giving formal force-incident statements can review recordings capturing their image or voice. The same right applies during disciplinary investigations that consider such recordings. An attorney or labor representative may be present. Disclosure is limited to people depicted, their authorized family representatives identified to the Correction Ombuds, and specified legislative committee leaders.
Prison force oversight and officer duties
Beginning October 1, 2025, correction officers must promptly report another officer’s unreasonable, excessive, or illegal force to the warden. This applies when officers witness the force or otherwise know about it; failure to report can lead to prosecution. Wardens must immediately notify the Correction Commissioner and Connecticut State Police. The force rules cover physical and deadly force used to make an incarcerated person comply. Covered methods include restraints, chemical agents, dogs, chokeholds, munitions, and forced removal from a cell.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Judiciary Committee
Affiliation unavailable
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 5/12/2025
APP Vote Tally Sheet (Joint Favorable)
Yes: 37 • No: 11
Senate vote • 4/8/2025
Senate Roll Call Vote 238
Yes: 36 • No: 0
Senate vote • 4/8/2025
Senate Roll Call Vote 435
Yes: 36 • No: 0
House vote • 4/8/2025
House Roll Call Vote 367 AS AMENDED
Yes: 147 • No: 1
Senate vote • 4/8/2025
JUD Vote Tally Sheet (Joint Favorable Substitute)
Yes: 31 • No: 10
Actions Timeline
Signed by the Governor
6/30/2025legislatureTransmitted by Secretary of the State to Governor
6/27/2025legislatureTransmitted to the Secretary of State
6/27/2025legislaturePublic Act 25-161
6/23/2025legislatureOn Consent Calendar / In Concurrence
6/4/2025legislatureSenate Passed as Amended by House Amendment Schedule A
6/4/2025SenateSenate Passed as Amended by Senate Amendment Schedule A
6/4/2025SenateSenate Adopted House Amendment Schedule A
6/4/2025SenateDisagreeing Action, Tabled for Calendar, Senate
6/4/2025SenateTransmitted Pursuant To Joint Rule 17
6/4/2025legislatureHouse Passed as Amended by House Amendment Schedule A
6/4/2025HouseHouse Passed as Amended by Senate Amendment Schedule A
6/4/2025HouseHouse Adopted House Amendment Schedule A 10674
6/4/2025HouseHouse Adopted Senate Amendment Schedule A
6/4/2025HouseHouse Calendar Number 646
5/23/2025HouseFavorable Report, Tabled for the Calendar, House
5/23/2025HouseSenate Passed as Amended by Senate Amendment Schedule A
5/22/2025SenateSenate Adopted Senate Amendment Schedule A 9157
5/22/2025SenateFavorable Report, Tabled for the Calendar, Senate
5/13/2025SenateNo New File by Committee on Appropriations
5/13/2025legislatureReported Out of Legislative Commissioners' Office
5/13/2025legislatureFiled with Legislative Commissioners' Office
5/13/2025legislatureJoint Favorable
5/12/2025legislatureImmediate Transmittal
5/8/2025legislatureReferred by Senate to Committee on Appropriations
5/8/2025Senate
Bill Text
Public Act No. 25-161
6/4/2025
File No. 800
4/29/2025
APP Joint Favorable
4/8/2025
JUD Joint Favorable Substitute
4/8/2025
Raised Bill
3/20/2025
APP Joint Fav. Rpt
APP Vote Tally Sheet (Joint Favorable)
Bill Analysis For File Copy 800
Bill Analysis for SB-1541, as amended by Senate "A"
Fiscal Note For File Copy 800
Fiscal Note for Amendment LCO 10674 (Cost)
Fiscal Note for Amendment LCO 8914 (No Fiscal Impact)
Fiscal Note for Amendment LCO 9157 (Reduces Cost In Bill)
Fiscal Note for Amendment LCO 9185 (No Fiscal Impact)
Fiscal Note for SB-1541, As Amended by Senate "A" (LCO 9157)
Fiscal Note for SB-1541, As Amended by Senate "A" (LCO 9157), House "A" (LCO 10674)
House Roll Call Vote 367 AS AMENDED
House Schedule A LCO# 10674 (J)
JUD Joint Fav. Rpt
JUD Vote Tally Sheet (Joint Favorable Substitute)
Senate LCO Amendment #8914 (D)
Senate LCO Amendment #9185 (R)
Senate Roll Call Vote 238
Senate Roll Call Vote 435
Senate Schedule A LCO# 9157 (D)
Summary for Public Act No. 25-161
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