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
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 | HB 7259, An Act Concerning Revisions to Various Statutes Concerning Criminal Justice, § 9 | Pending in General Assembly |
| An Act Concerning Use of Police Chokeholds | HB 7259, An Act Concerning Revisions to Various Statutes Concerning Criminal Justice, § 8 | Pending in General Assembly |
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 | 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 |
| An Act Concerning Pretrial Supervised Diversionary Program | 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 |
| An Act Concerning Standards for Medical Parole by the Board of Pardons and Paroles | N/A | Not raised |
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 | HB 6917, An Act Concerning Various Revisions to the Criminal Law and Criminal Justice Statutes, §§ 9-10 | 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 |
| An Act Concerning the Recommendations of the Connecticut Sentencing Commission Providing Judicial Discretion for Certain Motor Vehicle Offenses With Mandatory Minimum Sentences | HB 6917, An Act Concerning Various Revisions to the Criminal Law and Criminal Justice Statutes, §§ 5-6 | Enacted as PA 23-47 §§ 5-6 |
| 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 | 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 |
| 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 | SB 1060, An Act Concerning the Appointment of an Advocate in Proceedings Concerning the Welfare or Custody of Animals | Raised by Judiciary Committee |
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 | 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 |
| An Act Concerning Sentence Modification | SB 425, An Act Concerning Sentence Modification | Enacted as PA 22-36 |
| An Act Concerning the Recommendations of the Connecticut Sentencing Commission Regarding Sex Offender Registry | N/A | Not raised |
| An Act Concerning Voting Access and Reenfranchisement | N/A | Not raised |
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 | HB 6594, An Act Concerning the Criminal Justice Process, §§ 25-27 | Enacted as PA 21-102 §§ 22-24 |
| An Act Concerning the Recommendations of the Connecticut Sentencing Commission with Respect to Sentence Modification | HB 6594, An Act Concerning the Criminal Justice Process, § 28 | Enacted as PA 21-102 § 25 |
| 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 |
| An Act Concerning the Recommendations of the Connecticut Sentencing Commission with Respect to the Sexual Offender Registry | 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 | N/A | Not raised |
The Commission developed and submitted three legislative proposals for consideration by the General Assembly during the 2020 legislative session.
The Commission developed and submitted eight legislative proposals for consideration by the General Assembly during the 2019 legislative session.
The Commission developed and submitted two legislative proposals for consideration by the General Assembly during the 2018 legislative session.
| Proposal Subject | Bill Name and Number | Status & Links |
|---|---|---|
| Misdemeanor Sentences | HB 5544, An Act Concerning the Recommendations of the Connecticut Sentencing Commission with Respect to Misdemeanor Sentences | Joint Favorable Report by Judiciary Committee |
| Sex Offender Registry | HB 5578, An Act Concerning the Recommendations of the Connecticut Sentencing Commission with Respect to the Sexual Offender Registry | Raised by Judiciary Committee |
The Commission developed and submitted three legislative proposals for consideration by the General Assembly during the 2017 legislative session.
| Proposal Subject | Bill Name and Number | Status & Links |
|---|---|---|
| Victim Notification | HB 7262, An Act Concerning the Recommendations of the Connecticut Sentencing Commission with Respect to Victim Notification | Enacted as PA 17-217 |
| Technical Reorganization of Statutes Involving the Illegal Sale of Controlled Substances
2016 Annual Report (see page 23-26) |
SB 1032, An Act Implementing the Recommendations of the Connecticut Sentencing Commission Concerning a Technical Reorganization of Statutes Involving the Illegal Sale of Controlled Substances | Enacted as PA 17-17 |
| Pretrial Release and Detention
Report to the Governor and the General Assembly on Pretrial Release and Detention in Connecticut (see page 72-80) |
HB 7287, An Act Implementing the Recommendations of the Connecticut Sentencing Commission Concerning Pretrial Release and Detention | HB 7287 merged with Governor’s Bill, HB 7044, An Act Concerning Pretrial Justice Reform
HB 7044 enacted as PA 17-145 |
The Commission developed and submitted two legislative proposals for consideration by the General Assembly during the 2016 legislative session.
| Proposal Subject | Bill Name and Number | Status & Links |
|---|---|---|
| Weapon in a Motor Vehicle Statute | SB 455, An Act Concerning Weapons in Vehicles | Enacted as PA 16-178 |
| Victim Notification | HB 5631, An Act Concerning the Recommendations of the Connecticut Sentencing Commission with Respect to Victim Notification | Passed in House of Representatives |
The Commission developed and submitted one legislative proposal for consideration by the General Assembly during the 2015 legislative session.
| Proposal Subject | Bill Name and Number | Status & Links |
|---|---|---|
| Juvenile Sentencing
2014 Annual Report (see page 20-23) |
SB 796, An Act Concerning Lengthy Sentences for Crimes Committed by a Child or Youth and the Sentencing of a Child or Youth Convicted of Certain Felony Offenses | Enacted as PA 15-84 |
The Commission developed and submitted four legislative proposals for consideration by the General Assembly during the 2014 legislative session.
The Commission developed and submitted nine legislative proposals for consideration by the General Assembly during the 2013 legislative session.
The Commission developed and submitted four legislative proposals for consideration by the General Assembly during the 2012 legislative session.
| Proposal Subject | Bill Name and Number | Status & Links |
|---|---|---|
| Classifying Misdemeanors
2011 Annual Report (see page 15-17) |
HB 5145, An Act Concerning the Recommendations of the Sentencing Commission Regarding the Classification of Unclassified Misdemeanors | Enacted as PA 12-80 |
| Removing Anomalies in the Penal Code
2011 Annual Report (see page 18) |
SB 100, An Act Concerning the Recommendations of the Sentencing Commission With Respect to Sexual Assault in the Fourth Degree and Kidnapping in the First Degree with a Firearm | Raised by Judiciary Committee |
| Removing Barriers to Reentry
2011 Annual Report (see page 12-13) |
SB 453, An Act Concerning Certificates of Relief from Barriers Resulting from Conviction of a Crime | Joint Favorable Report by Judiciary Committee |
| Juvenile Sentencing
2011 Annual Report (see page 13-15) |
HB 5546, An Act Concerning Sentence Modification for Juveniles | Raised by Judiciary Committee |
OTHER BILLS OF INTEREST
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 |
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 |
| Voting Rights for Felony Offenders | HB 5702, An Act Allowing Incarcerated Individuals to Vote | Proposed by Government Administration and Elections Committee |
| 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 |
The Commission tracked one relevant bill during the 2022 legislative 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 |
| 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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
PRACTICE BOOK PROPOSALS
| 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 Proposed language (see final page) Practice Book with 10% rule (see § 38-8) Status update on 10% bond rule (Jan 2021) Practice Book with 7% rule (see § 38-8) |
| 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 Proposed language (see final page) Practice Book with 10% rule (see § 38-8) |