Policy Proposals

As authorized by Connecticut General Statute § 54-300, the Commission draws on its members’ experience and works closely with elected officials and state agency leaders to develop comprehensive policy proposals that would enhance public safety, hold offenders accountable, and ultimately reduce criminal activity overall.

During each session of the Connecticut General Assembly, the Commission takes an active role in drafting legislation, organizing testimony, and educating the general public on its proposals. The Commission supports other bills that align with its goals, even if they did not have a hand in its creation.

The Commission has also submitted proposed changes to the Connecticut Practice Book, a set of administrative rules that govern Judicial Branch procedures.

Use the links below to learn more about our proposals from different years.

LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS

2025 Session

The Commission developed and submitted two legislative proposals for consideration by the General Assembly during the 2025 legislative session.

Proposal Subject Bill Name and Number Status & Links
An Act Concerning Supervised Diversionary Program

Proposal

HB 7259, An Act Concerning Revisions to Various Statutes Concerning Criminal Justice, § 9 Pending in General Assembly

Bill Page

Commission Testimony

An Act Concerning Use of Police Chokeholds

Proposal

HB 7259, An Act Concerning Revisions to Various Statutes Concerning Criminal Justice, § 8 Pending in General Assembly

Bill Page

Commission Testimony

2024 Session

The Commission developed and submitted three legislative proposals for consideration by the General Assembly during the 2024 legislative session.

Proposal Subject Bill Name and Number Status & Links
An Act Concerning Competency to Stand Trial

Proposal

HB 5500, An Act Concerning Revisions to Various Laws Concerning Juror Compensation, the Department of Correction and Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure, §§ 8-9 Enacted as PA 24-137 § 6

PA 24-137

Bill Page

Commission Testimony

An Act Concerning Pretrial Supervised Diversionary Program

Proposal

HB 5500, An Act Concerning Revisions to Various Laws Concerning Juror Compensation, the Department of Correction and Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure, § 3 Provision removed from HB 5500 in Amendment LCO #4507

Bill Page

Commission Testimony

An Act Concerning Standards for Medical Parole by the Board of Pardons and Paroles

Proposal

N/A Not raised
2023 Session

The Commission developed and submitted four legislative proposals for consideration by the General Assembly during the 2023 legislative session.

Proposal Subject Bill Name and Number Status & Links
An Act Concerning the Recommendations of the Connecticut Sentencing Commission With Respect to Sexual Assault in the Fourth Degree

Proposal

HB 6917, An Act Concerning Various Revisions to the Criminal Law and Criminal Justice Statutes, §§ 9-10

HB 6714, An Act Concerning Cruelty to Animals, §§ 1-2

Proposal enacted in two separate bills:

HB 6917 §§ 9-10 became PA 23-47 §§ 9-10

HB 6714 §§ 1-2 became PA 23-149 §§ 1-2

PA 23-47

Bill Page: PA 23-47

Commission Testimony: PA 23-47

PA 23-149

Bill Page: PA 23-149

Commission Testimony: PA 23-149

An Act Concerning the Recommendations of the Connecticut Sentencing Commission Providing Judicial Discretion for Certain Motor Vehicle Offenses With Mandatory Minimum Sentences

Proposal

HB 6917, An Act Concerning Various Revisions to the Criminal Law and Criminal Justice Statutes, §§ 5-6 Enacted as PA 23-47 §§ 5-6

PA 23-47

Bill Page

Commission Testimony

An Act Concerning the Recommendations of the Connecticut Sentencing Commission Regarding Parole Eligibility for an Individual Serving a Lengthy Sentence for a Crime Committed Before the Individual Reached the Age of Twenty-one

Proposal

SB 952, An Act Concerning Parole Eligibility for an Individual Serving a Lengthy Sentence for a Crime Committed Before the Individual Reached the Age of Twenty-Five Narrower version of proposal enacted as PA 23-169

PA 23-169

Bill Page

Commission Testimony

An Act Concerning the Recommendations of the Connecticut Sentencing Commission Regarding Appointment of an Advocate in a Criminal Proceeding Regarding the Welfare or Custody of an Animal

Proposal

SB 1060, An Act Concerning the Appointment of an Advocate in Proceedings Concerning the Welfare or Custody of Animals Raised by Judiciary Committee

Bill Page

Commission Testimony

2022 Session

The Commission developed and submitted four legislative proposals for consideration by the General Assembly during the 2022 legislative session.

Proposal Subject Bill Name and Number Status & Links
An Act Repealing Statutory Provisions that Impose Liability on an Individual for Repayment of Costs Incurred When the Individual Was Incarcerated

Proposal

HB 5390, An Act Repealing Statutory Provisions That Impose Liability on an Individual for Repayment of Costs Incurred When the Individual Was Incarcerated HB 5390 did not pass, but some provisions were incorporated into 2022 Budget Adjustment Bill, PA 22-118 §§ 457-458

PA 22-118

Bill Page: PA 22-118

Bill Page: HB 5390

Commission Testimony: HB 5390

An Act Concerning Sentence Modification

Proposal

SB 425, An Act Concerning Sentence Modification Enacted as PA 22-36

PA 22-36

Bill Page

Commission Testimony

An Act Concerning the Recommendations of the Connecticut Sentencing Commission Regarding Sex Offender Registry

Proposal

N/A Not raised
An Act Concerning Voting Access and Reenfranchisement

Proposal

N/A Not raised
2021 Session

The Commission developed and submitted five legislative proposals for consideration by the General Assembly during the 2021 legislative session.

Proposal Subject Bill Name and Number Status & Links
An Act Concerning the Recommendations of the Connecticut Sentencing Commission Regarding the Enhanced Penalty for the Sale or Possession of Drugs Near Schools, Day Care Centers, and Public Housing Projects

Proposal

HB 6594, An Act Concerning the Criminal Justice Process, §§ 25-27  Enacted as PA 21-102 §§ 22-24 

PA 21-102 

Bill Page 

Commission Testimony 

An Act Concerning the Recommendations of the Connecticut Sentencing Commission with Respect to Sentence Modification 

Proposal 

HB 6594, An Act Concerning the Criminal Justice Process, § 28  Enacted as PA 21-102 § 25 

PA 21-102 

Bill Page 

Commission Testimony 

An Act Concerning the Recommendations of the Connecticut Sentencing Commission with Respect to Misdemeanor Sentences 

An Act Concerning Various Recommendations of the Sentencing Commission § 1 

Summary of “An Act Concerning Various Recommendations of the Sentencing Commission 

SB 1019, An Act Concerning the Board of Pardons and Paroles, Erasure of Criminal Records for Certain Misdemeanor and Felony Offenses, Prohibiting Discrimination Based on Erased Criminal History Record Information and Concerning the Recommendations of the Connecticut Sentencing Commission with Respect to Misdemeanor Sentences, § 38  Enacted as PA 21-32 § 35 

PA 21-32 

Bill Page 

Commission Testimony 

An Act Concerning the Recommendations of the Connecticut Sentencing Commission with Respect to the Sexual Offender Registry 

An Act Regarding the Connecticut Sentencing Commission’s Recommendations on the Sexual Offender Registry 

Summary of “An Act Regarding the Connecticut Sentencing Commission’s Recommendations on the Sexual Offender Registry” 

An Act Concerning Recommendations of the Sentencing Commission with Respect to Penalties for Sex Offenders 

Summary of “An Act Concerning Recommendations of the Sentencing Commission with Respect to Penalties for Sex Offenders” 

N/A Not raised
An Act Facilitating Voting by Persons Incarcerated in Connecticut Correctional Facilities and Restoring Voting Rights and Electoral Privileges for Persons Incarcerated for Felony Convictions with the Possibility of Release 

Proposal 

N/A Not raised
2020 Session

The Commission developed and submitted three legislative proposals for consideration by the General Assembly during the 2020 legislative session.

Proposal Subject Bill Name and Number Status & Links
An Act Concerning the Recommendations of the Connecticut Sentencing Commission with Respect to Misdemeanor Sentences

An Act Concerning Various Recommendations of the Sentencing Commission, § 1

Summary of “An Act Concerning Various Recommendations of the Sentencing Commission”

HB 5485, An Act Concerning the Recommendations of the Connecticut Sentencing Commission with Respect to Misdemeanor Sentences Raised by Judiciary Committee

Bill Page

An Act Concerning the Recommendations of the Connecticut Sentencing Commission with Respect to the Sexual Offender Registry

An Act Regarding the Connecticut Sentencing Commission’s Recommendations on the Sexual Offender Registry

Summary of “An Act Regarding the Connecticut Sentencing Commission’s Recommendations on the Sexual Offender Registry”

An Act Concerning Recommendations of the Sentencing Commission with Respect to Penalties for Sex Offenders

Summary of “An Act Concerning Recommendations of the Sentencing Commission with Respect to Penalties for Sex Offenders”

N/A Not raised
An Act Concerning the Recommendations of the Connecticut Sentencing Commission Regarding Sentence Review and Modification

An Act Concerning Various Recommendations of the Sentencing Commission, §§ 10-11

Summary of “An Act Concerning Various Recommendations of the Sentencing Commission”

SB 389, An Act Concerning the Recommendations of the Connecticut Sentencing Commission Regarding Sentence Review and Modification Raised by Judiciary Committee

Bill Page

Commission Testimony

2019 Session

The Commission developed and submitted eight legislative proposals for consideration by the General Assembly during the 2019 legislative session.

Proposal Subject Bill Name and Number Status & Links
Misdemeanor Sentences

An Act Concerning Various Recommendations of the Sentencing Commission, § 1

Summary of “An Act Concerning Various Recommendations of the Sentencing Commission

SB 948, An Act Concerning the Recommendations of the Connecticut Sentencing Commission with Respect to Misdemeanor Sentences Joint Favorable Report by Judiciary Committee

Bill Page

Commission Testimony

Sexual Offender Registry

An Act Regarding the Connecticut Sentencing Commission’s Recommendations on the Sexual Offender Registry

Summary of “An Act Regarding the Connecticut Sentencing Commission’s Recommendations on the Sexual Offender Registry”

An Act Concerning Recommendations of the Sentencing Commission with Respect to Penalties for Sex Offenders

Summary of “An Act Concerning Recommendations of the Sentencing Commission with Respect to Penalties for Sex Offenders”

SB 1113, An Act Concerning the Recommendations of the Connecticut Sentencing Commission with Respect to the Sexual Offender Registry, Petitions to Terminate Parental Rights of Incarcerated Parents, and Sentence Review and Sentence Modification, §§ 1-20 Joint Favorable Report by Judiciary and Appropriations Committees

Bill Page

Commission Testimony

Parental Rights of Incarcerated Parents

An Act Concerning Various Recommendations of the Sentencing Commission, §§ 3-6

Summary of “An Act Concerning Various Recommendations of the Sentencing Commission

SB 1113, An Act Concerning the Recommendations of the Connecticut Sentencing Commission with Respect to the Sexual Offender Registry, Petitions to Terminate Parental Rights of Incarcerated Parents, and Sentence Review and Sentence Modification, §§ 21-24 Joint Favorable Report by Judiciary and Appropriations Committees

Bill Page

Commission Testimony

Sentence Review

An Act Concerning Various Recommendations of the Sentencing Commission, §§ 10-11

Summary of “An Act Concerning Various Recommendations of the Sentencing Commission

SB 1113, An Act Concerning the Recommendations of the Connecticut Sentencing Commission with Respect to the Sexual Offender Registry, Petitions to Terminate Parental Rights of Incarcerated Parents, and Sentence Review and Sentence Modification, §§ 25-26 Joint Favorable Report by Judiciary and Appropriations Committees

Bill Page

Commission Testimony

Identity Theft Records 

An Act Concerning Various Recommendations of the Sentencing Commission § 2 

Summary of “An Act Concerning Various Recommendations of the Sentencing Commission 

HB 7349, An Act Concerning Identity Theft Victim Access to Records  Passed in House of Representatives 

Bill Page 

Commission Testimony 

Voting Rights for Parolees 

An Act Concerning Various Recommendations of the Sentencing Commission § 7 

Summary of “An Act Concerning Various Recommendations of the Sentencing Commission 

SB 25, An Act Restoring Electoral Privileges to Felony Convicts Who Are on Parole  Joint Favorable Report by Government Administration and Elections Committee 

Bill Page 

Commission Testimony 

Automatic Records Erasure 

An Act Concerning Various Recommendations of the Sentencing Commission § 8 

Summary of “An Act Concerning Various Recommendations of the Sentencing Commission 

SB 691, An Act Concerning Automatic Erasure of Certain Records  Joint Favorable Report by Judiciary Committee 

Bill Page 

Commission Testimony 

Unlawful Dissemination of Intimate Images 

An Act Concerning Various Recommendations of the Sentencing Commission § 9 

Summary of “An Act Concerning Various Recommendations of the Sentencing Commission 

SB 843, An Act Concerning the Unlawful Dissemination of Intimate Images  Passed in Senate 

Bill Page 

Commission Testimony 

2018 Session

The Commission developed and submitted two legislative proposals for consideration by the General Assembly during the 2018 legislative session.

2017 Session

The Commission developed and submitted three legislative proposals for consideration by the General Assembly during the 2017 legislative session.

2016 Session

The Commission developed and submitted two legislative proposals for consideration by the General Assembly during the 2016 legislative session.

2015 Session

The Commission developed and submitted one legislative proposal for consideration by the General Assembly during the 2015 legislative session.

2014 Session

The Commission developed and submitted four legislative proposals for consideration by the General Assembly during the 2014 legislative session.

2013 Session

The Commission developed and submitted nine legislative proposals for consideration by the General Assembly during the 2013 legislative session.

Proposal Subject Bill Name and Number Status & Links
Adding Members

2012 Annual Report (see page 13)

HB 6509, An Act Concerning the Recommendations of the Connecticut Sentencing Commission Regarding the Membership of the Commission Vetoed by Governor

Bill Page

Commission Testimony

Juvenile Sentencing

Recommendation

2012 Annual Report (see page 14-16)

HB 6581, An Act Concerning the Recommendations of the Connecticut Sentencing Commission Regarding Lengthy Sentences for Crimes Committed by a Child or Youth and the Sentencing of a Child or Youth Convicted of Certain Felony Offenses Passed in House of Representatives

Bill Page

Commission Testimony

Miller v. Alabama

Recommendation

2012 Annual Report (see page 16-17)

SB 1062, An Act Concerning the Recommendations of the Connecticut Sentencing Commission Regarding the Sentencing of a Child Convicted of a Felony Offense Joint Favorable Report by Judiciary Committee

Bill Page

Commission Testimony

Drug Free School Zones 

Recommendation 

2012 Annual Report (see page 19-21) 

HB 6511, An Act Concerning the Recommendations of the Connecticut Sentencing Commission Regarding the Enhanced Penalty for the Sale or Possession of Drugs Near Schools, Day Care Centers, and Public Housing Projects  Joint Favorable Reports by Judiciary and Education Committees 

Bill Page 

Commission Testimony 

Removing Barriers to Employment 

Recommendation 

Sentencing Commission Recommendation Overview 

2012 Annual Report (see page 17-18) 

HB 6582, An Act Concerning the Recommendations of the Connecticut Sentencing Commission with Respect to Certificates of Rehabilitation  Passed in House of Representatives 

Bill Page 

Commission Testimony 

Removing Anomalies in the Penal Code 

2012 Annual Report (see page 22) 

HB 6571, An Act Concerning the Recommendations of the Connecticut Sentencing Commission with Respect to Sexual Assault in the Fourth Degree and Kidnapping in the First Degree with a Firearm  Enacted as PA 13-28 

PA 13-28 

Bill Page 

Commission Testimony 

Classifying Felonies 

2012 Annual Report (see page 18-19) 

SB 983, An Act Concerning the Recommendations of the Connecticut Sentencing Commission Regarding Unclassified Felonies  Enacted as PA 13-258 

PA 13-258 

Bill Page 

Commission Testimony 

False Statement Statutes 

Sentencing Commission Recommendation Overview 

2012 Annual Report (see page 21-22) 

HB 6508, An Act Concerning the Recommendations of the Connecticut Sentencing Commission Regarding False Statement  Enacted as PA 13-144 

PA 13-144 

Bill Page 

Commission Testimony 

Inmate Education 

2012 Annual Report (see page 22)

HB 5602, An Act Exempting Institutions of Higher Education That Offer Free Courses to Inmates from State Contracting Requirements  Enacted as PA 13-68 

PA 13-68 

Bill Page 

2012 Session

The Commission developed and submitted four legislative proposals for consideration by the General Assembly during the 2012 legislative session.

OTHER BILLS OF INTEREST

2024 Session

The Commission tracked and supported one relevant bill during the 2024 legislative session.

Subject Bill Name and Number Status & Links
Pretrial Release and Detention HJ 171, Resolution Proposing an Amendment to the State Constitution to Revise Requirements Relating to the Offering of Bail or Pretrial Release to Persons Accused of a Crime Joint Favorable Reports by Judiciary and Government Administration and Elections Committees

Bill Page

Commission Testimony

2023 Session

The Commission tracked and supported three relevant bills during the 2023 legislative session.

Subject Bill Name and Number Status & Links
Pretrial Release and Detention HJ 261, Resolution Proposing an Amendment to the State Constitution to Revise Requirements Relating to the Offering of Bail or Pretrial Release to Persons Accused of a Crime Joint Favorable Reports by Judiciary and Government Administration and Elections Committees

Bill Page

Commission Testimony

Voting Rights for Felony Offenders HB 5702, An Act Allowing Incarcerated Individuals to Vote Proposed by Government Administration and Elections Committee

Bill Page

Commission Testimony

Sentencing Commission Study on Individuals with Developmental Disabilities in the Criminal Justice System HB 5001, An Act Concerning Resources and Support Services for Persons with an Intellectual or Developmental Disability, § 16 Enacted as PA 23-137 § 15

PA 23-137

Bill Page

2022 Session

The Commission tracked one relevant bill during the 2022 legislative session.

Subject Bill Name and Number Status & Links
Funding for Sentencing Commission Study of Inmate Mental Health Provision not included in original version of HB 5506, which became PA 22-118 Enacted in 2022 Budget Adjustment Bill, PA 22-118 § 25

PA 22-118

Bill Page

2021 Session

The Commission tracked and supported two relevant bills during the 2021 legislative session.

Subject Bill Name and Number Status & Links
Sentencing Commission Study on Animal Cruelty Laws SB 923, An Act Concerning Review of Animal Cruelty Laws by the Connecticut Sentencing Commission Joint Favorable Report in Judiciary Committee

Bill Page

Voting Rights for Parolees HB 5318, An Act Restoring Electoral Privileges to Convicted Felons Who Are on Parole Provisions from HB 5318 adopted in June Special Session PA 21-2, § 98

June Special Session PA 21-2

Bill Page: June Special Session PA 21-2

Bill Page: HB 5318

Commission Testimony: HB 5318

2020 Session

The Commission tracked and supported one relevant bill during the 2020 legislative session.

Subject Bill Name and Number Status & Links
Voting Rights for Parolees SB 233, An Act Concerning Elections, § 3 Raised by Government Administration and Elections Committee

Bill Page

Commission Testimony

2019 Session

The Commission tracked one relevant bill during the 2019 legislative session.

Subject Bill Name and Number Status & Links
Sentencing Commission Study of Racial Disparities in Pretrial and Sentencing Outcomes SB 1008, An Act Concerning a Study of the Disparities in Pretrial and Sentencing Outcomes of Criminal Defendants Enacted as Special Act 19-17

Special Act 19-17

Bill Page

2016 Session

The Commission tracked one relevant bill during the 2016 legislative session.

Subject Bill Name and Number Status & Links
Sentencing Commission Study on Cost of Retaining Body Camera Data SB 467, An Act Concerning Municipal Implementation of Criminal Justice Reforms, § 3 Joint Favorable Reports by Judiciary and Public Safety and Security Committees

Bill Page

2015 Session

The Commission tracked one relevant bill during the 2015 legislative session.

Subject Bill Name and Number Status & Links
Sentencing Commission Study of Sex Offender Registry SB 1087, An Act Concerning a Study of the Sexual Offender Registration System Enacted as Special Act 15-2

Special Act 15-2

Bill Page

PRACTICE BOOK PROPOSALS

2023 Session
Proposal Subject Description Status & Links
Pretrial Release and Detention Building on the demonstrated success of its 2019 proposal, the Sentencing Commission submitted another request to the Rules Committee of the Superior Court in 2023.

The prior proposal amended section 38-8 of the Connecticut Practice Book to provide for an automatic option for ten percent cash bail on all bonds $20,000 or less at the time of booking at a police station.

The new proposal reduces the automatic cash bail option from ten percent to seven percent and raises the bond threshold from $20,000 to $50,000.

The proposal was endorsed by the Rules Committee.

The proposal went into effect on January 1, 2024.

2019 Request letter

2019 Proposed language (see final page)

Practice Book with 10% rule (see § 38-8)

Status update on 10% bond rule (Jan 2021)

2023 Request letter

2023 Proposed language

Practice Book with 7% rule (see § 38-8)

2019 Session
Proposal Subject Description Status & Links
Pretrial Release and Detention On January 28, 2019, the Sentencing Commission submitted a request to the Rules Committee of the Superior Court.

The proposal amends section 38-8 of the Connecticut Practice Book to provide for an automatic option for ten percent cash bail on all bonds $20,000 or less at the time of booking at a police station.

The proposal was unanimously accepted by the Rules Committee.

The proposal went into effect on January 1, 2020.

2019 Request letter

2019 Commission Testimony

2019 Proposed language (see final page)

Practice Book with 10% rule (see § 38-8)