RAISED BILL #443: AN ACT CONCERNING NOTIFICATION TO VICTIM SUPPORT GROUPS OF THE NAMES OF VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Judiciary Committee

PUBLIC HEARING AGENDA

Monday, March 14, 2016

10:30 AM in Room 2C of the LOB

TO BE CONSIDERED BY JUDICIARY COMMITTEE IN PUBLIC HEARING THIS MONDAY, THE FOLLOWING RAISED BILL #443:

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:
Section 1. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2016) Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes concerning the confidentiality of the identity of a victim of domestic violence, a municipal police department may forward the names of victims of domestic violence to domestic violence victim support groups approved by the Judicial Department or which are under contract with a state agency or the municipality for the provision of victim support services.

This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following sections:
Section 1	October 1, 2016	New section

Statement of Purpose:
To lift the confidentiality afforded to victims of domestic violence for the limited purpose of allowing municipal police departments to provide the names of such victims to victim support groups.
[Proposed deletions are enclosed in brackets. Proposed additions are indicated by underline, except that when the entire text of a bill or resolution or a section of a bill or resolution is new, it is not underlined.]

RAISED BILL #444: AN ACT CONCERNING PENALTIES FOR FAMILY VIOLENCE CRIMES THAT A CHILD WITNESSES AND ESTABLISHING A WORKING GROUP CONCERNING INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS RELATED TO VICTIMS OF FAMILY VIOLENCE.

Raised Bill #444 up for consideration next Monday, see schedule below:

Judiciary Committee

PUBLIC HEARING AGENDA

Monday, March 14, 2016

10:30 AM in Room 2C of the LOB

February 2016

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:
Section 1. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2016) (a) For the purposes of this section, "family violence crime" and "family or household member" have the same meanings as provided in section 46b-38a of the general statutes.
(b) Whenever any person is convicted of a family violence crime that was committed within the vision or hearing of a minor child who, at the time of the offense, was a family or household member of such person or of the victim of the crime, the court, in lieu of imposing the sentence of imprisonment authorized by the general statutes for the crime of which such person stands convicted, shall sentence such person to a term of imprisonment that is not less than twenty-five per cent greater than the minimum term of imprisonment authorized for such crime or more than twenty-five per cent greater than the maximum term of imprisonment authorized for such crime.
Sec. 2. (Effective from passage) (a) There is established a working group for the purposes of (1) determining what information, if any, not otherwise available to the public, should be made available to a judge of the Superior Court when making determinations related to applications for relief from abuse pursuant to section 46b-15 of the general statutes, (2) evaluating existing methods allowed by law or policy for sharing information across executive agencies, the Judicial Department, municipalities and community-based organizations that have a contractual relationship with any such agency, department or municipality to provide services to parties involved in cases of family violence, and (3) making recommendations for improved methods of communication across such agencies, department, municipalities and organizations that outline the legal ramifications of such methods as they relate to confidentiality.
(b) The working group shall consist of the following members:
(1) The Commissioner of Children and Families, or the commissioner's designee;
(2) The Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection, or the commissioner's designee;
(3) The Commissioner of Education, or the commissioner's designee;
(4) The Child Advocate, or the Child Advocate's designee;
(5) The Chief Public Defender, or the Chief Public Defender's designee;
(6) The Chief State's Attorney, or the Chief State's Attorney's designee;
(7) One member appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate who shall represent the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Inc.;
(8) One appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives who shall be a family violence victim advocate, as defined in section 51-27i of the general statutes;
(9) One appointed by the majority leader of the Senate who shall represent the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association;
(10) One appointed by the majority leader of the House of Representatives who shall be an individual serving as a guardian ad litem or as an attorney for a minor child at the time of appointment to the working group;
(11) One appointed by the minority leader of the Senate who shall be an attorney admitted to practice law in this state;
(12) One appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives who shall be a representative of a legal aid assistance program in this state;
(13) Five appointed by the Chief Court Administrator, one of whom shall be a judge of the Superior Court assigned to hear civil matters, one of whom shall be a judge of the Superior Court assigned to hear criminal matters, one of whom shall be a judge of the Superior Court assigned to hear juvenile matters, one of whom shall be an employee of the Judicial Branch whose duties concern the operations of the Superior Court, and one of whom shall be an employee of the Judicial Branch Court Support Services Division; and
(14) One member appointed by the Probate Court Administrator who shall be a judge of the Probate Court.
(c) All appointments to the working group shall be made not later than thirty days after the effective date of this section. Any vacancy shall be filled by the appointing authority.
(d) The speaker of the House of Representatives and the president pro tempore of the Senate shall select two chairpersons of the working group from among the members of such group. Such chairpersons shall schedule the first meeting of the working group, which shall be held not later than sixty days after the effective date of this section.
(e) Not later than January 15, 2017, the working group shall submit a report on its finding and recommendations to the Criminal Justice Policy Advisory Commission. The working group shall terminate on the date that it submits such report or January 15, 2017, whichever is later.

This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following sections:
Section 1	October 1, 2016	New section
Sec. 2	from passage	New section

Statement of Purpose:
To increase penalties for individuals who commit acts of family violence in the presence of a minor child and to establish a working group to evaluate and make recommendations for improved methods for sharing information while maintaining appropriate victim confidentiality.
[Proposed deletions are enclosed in brackets. Proposed additions are indicated by underline, except that when the entire text of a bill or resolution or a section of a bill or resolution is new, it is not underlined.]

ACLU REPORTS ON GOV. MALLOY'S PROPOSAL TO EXTEND JURISDICTION OF JUVENILE SYSTEM UNTIL THE AGE OF 20--WHAT AN ECONOMIC BOON FOR THE CT JUDICIAL BRANCH!

The following statements were issued after Connecticut’s Governor announced he would work with leaders to consider making the Constitution State the first in the nation to raise the age of juvenile jurisdiction through 20-years-old.

- See more at: 

http://www.acluct.org/updates/national-experts-say-raise-the-age-of-juvenile-jurisdiction/#sthash.CEVPrQnc.dpuf

THE VALLEY PATRIOT REPORTS JUSTINA'S FATHER AND SISTER SPEAK UP IN SUPPORT OF JUSTINA'S LAW!

Bharani Padmanabhan of The Valley Patriot reports as follows:

"Valley Patriot readers may be familiar with the 17 month long ordeal suffered by young Justina Pelletier at the hands of the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families (DCF) and the huge effort it took from 100,000 ordinary people from across this great land who came together to finally rescue her and return her to the loving arms of her parents and sisters. The VP was present when Justina finally returned home almost exactly one year ago on June 18th, 2014. 

Today Justina’s father Lou and elder sister Jennifer returned to Massachusetts to testify at a public hearing at the State House in support of House Bill 1469 – An Act called Justina’s Law – filed by Marc Lombardo, Representative (R) for Billerica and supported by James Lyons, Representative (R) for Andover.  Besides the members of the Joint Committee on the Judiciary, in attendance were also Senator Linda Dean Campbell (D) of Methuen and Keiko Orall, Representative (R) for Lakeville. 

Lou and Jennifer were accompanied by Attorney Philip Moran who ended up representing the family in court last year after Judge Joseph Johnston refused to allow the parents to be represented by the lawyer they chose – Dean Staver from Liberty Counsel..."

Read More:

http://valleypatriot.com/pelletier-family-gives-powerful-testimony-in-support-of-justinas-law/

CT PROTECTIVE PARENT REFORM ACT OF 2005, RAISED BILL NO. 1199!

I am taking a look at this protective parents bill (see below) to get an understanding of why it did not succeed in the CT legislature.  Does anyone have thoughts they'd like to share about the wording of the bill, or any of the provisions in the bill which could be a problem.  I am interested in getting feedback about the intention of this bill and why it ended up not being successful.


AN ACT ADOPTING A PROTECTIVE PARENT REFORM ACT.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:
Section 1. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2005) (a) This section shall be known and may be cited as the "Protective Parent Reform Act".
(b) In any proceeding under chapter 815j of the general statutes involving child custody and visitation:

(1) If a parent makes a good faith allegation, based on a reasonable belief supported by facts, that his or her child is the victim of abuse, neglect or family violence perpetrated or allowed by the other parent, and if the parent making such allegation acts lawfully and in good faith in accordance with such belief to protect the child or seek treatment for the child, such parent shall not be deprived of custody of or visitation or contact with the child based solely on such belief or the reasonable actions taken in accordance with such belief.

(2) If an allegation that a child is the victim of abuse, neglect or family violence perpetrated or allowed by a parent is supported by a preponderance of the evidence, the court shall consider such evidence in determining custody and visitation that is in the best interests of the child and shall not award custody of the child to the parent who presents a substantial risk of harm to the child.

(c) In any proceeding under chapter 815j of the general statutes involving child custody and visitation:

(1) No ex parte communications shall be made between the court and any guardian ad litem for the child, counsel for the child, custody evaluator, mental health professional, conciliator, mediator, screener or other professional participating in the proceeding.

(2) The role of any guardian ad litem or counsel for the child shall be limited to advocating for the wishes of the child and participating in the proceeding by presenting evidence and argument in the same manner as counsel for the parent. The guardian ad litem or counsel for the child may not substitute his or her own opinion and judgment for the wishes of the child or offer any evidence which would be excluded under applicable law if offered by any other party. In no case shall the guardian ad litem or counsel for the child be deemed a quasi-judicial officer or be granted any fact-finding role. Nothing in this subdivision shall be construed to require the appointment of a guardian ad litem or counsel for the child in a proceeding involving child custody and visitation.

(3) The parents shall be provided full and timely access to all custody and mental health evaluations and reports that are to be considered in the proceeding, including all underlying data for such evaluations and reports, and shall be afforded the opportunity to depose prior to trial and to cross examine at trial each mental health professional or custody evaluator who will testify in the proceeding.

(4) No expert opinion or evidence attempting to discredit a parent's motivation for asserting that his or her child is the victim of abuse, neglect or family violence perpetrated or allowed by the other parent, or attempting to discredit a child's report of such abuse, neglect or family violence, shall be admissible, unless such expert opinion or evidence is based on concepts and theories generally accepted by the scientific community and supported by credible and admissible evidence of facts which can be established independently of such expert opinion or evidence.

(5) A parent shall not be deprived of custody of or visitation or contact with his or her child based on the opinion of a mental health professional that such parent is at risk of unlawfully fleeing with the child, unless credible and admissible evidence independent of such mental health professional's opinion establishes that such parent's plan or intent is to flee.

(6) No court-sponsored conciliation, mediation, intake screening or parenting education program may make any recommendation or report to the court regarding custody of or visitation or contact with the child unless all parties agree to the making of such recommendation or report. Both parents of the child shall have the right to contest such recommendation or report.

(7) Whenever abuse, neglect or family violence is an issue in the proceeding, no mental health professional or custody evaluator who lacks specialized training and experience in the type of abuse, neglect or family violence that is relevant to the specific allegations made may be appointed by the court to conduct any evaluation in the proceeding.

(8) Admissible evidence of abuse, neglect or family violence shall be considered by the court.

(9) No valid protective or restraining order issued pursuant to section 46b-15, 46b-15a or 46b-38c and entered in the automated registry of protective orders maintained pursuant to section 51-5c of the general statutes may be violated by the award of custody of or visitation or contact with the child to a parent who is the perpetrator of family violence.

This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following sections:
Section 1	October 1, 2005	New section

Statement of Purpose: 
To adopt a Protective Parent Reform Act in order to prevent courts in child custody and visitation cases from placing a child who is abused or neglected, or who lives in a home in which family violence exists, in the custody of the abusive, neglectful or violent parent and from limiting the protective parent's custody, visitation and contact rights. 

AN ACT CONSOLIDATING CRIMINAL JUSTICE, JUVENILE AND FAMILY SERVICE PROGRAMS.

AN ACT CONSOLIDATING CRIMINAL JUSTICE, 

JUVENILE AND FAMILY SERVICE PROGRAMS.

*This act will be considered on Wednesday, April 1, 

 2015 by the Judiciary Committee

To implement the Governor's budget 

recommendations.

Introduced by: 

SEN. MARTIN M. LOONEY, 11TH DISTRICT

SEN. BOB DUFF, 25TH DISTRICT

REP. J. BRENDAN SHARKEY, 88TH DISTRICT

REP. JOE ARESIMONOWICZ, 30TH DISTRICT  

To find out about the content of this bill, please 

click on the link below:

http://www.cga.ct.gov/2015/TOB/S/2015SB-00951-R00-SB.htm

RAISED BILL NO. 7051: AN ACT CONCERNING THE INVESTIGATION OF FRAUD AND CORRUPTION!

UNDER CONSIDERATION BY THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE ON APRIL 1, 2015 General Assembly		Raised Bill No. 7051
January Session, 2015		LCO No. 5829
		*05829_______JUD*
Referred to Committee on JUDICIARY
Introduced by:
(JUD)

AN ACT CONCERNING THE INVESTIGATION OF FRAUD AND CORRUPTION.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:
Section 1. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2015) For the purposes of sections 1 to 5, inclusive, of this act:
(1) "Crime" means a violation of any provision of the general statutes involving: (A) Corruption in the executive, legislative or judicial branch of state government or in the government of any political subdivision of the state, (B) fraud by a vendor of goods or services in the medical assistance program under Title XIX of the Social Security Act Amendments of 1965, as amended, (C) larceny in the first degree, (D) the election laws of this state, and (E) bribery or bribe receiving;
(2) "Property" includes, but is not limited to, documents, books, papers, records, films, recordings and other tangible things; 
(3) "Prosecuting official" means the Chief State's Attorney, a deputy Chief State's Attorney or a state's attorney; and 
(4) "Entity" means any natural person, firm, partnership, limited partnership, limited liability partnership, limited liability company, trust, syndicate, estate, association, corporation, custodian, nominee, municipality, agency or political or administrative subdivision of the state or other legal entity of any kind. 
Sec. 2. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2015) (a) In the investigation of conduct that would constitute the commission of a crime, a prosecuting official, in the performance of such official's duties during such investigation, shall have the authority to compel by subpoena the production of property related to the matter under investigation. 
(b) Any subpoena issued pursuant to this section shall (1) compel only the production of property relevant to the investigation being conducted, (2) specify with reasonable particularity the property to be produced, (3) allow a reasonable period of time for compliance, and (4) require only the production of documents or records covering a reasonable period of time. 
(c) Any subpoena issued pursuant to this section shall compel an entity to produce the property related to the matter under investigation at the office of the prosecuting official. 
Sec. 3. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2015) (a) In any investigation conducted pursuant to sections 2 to 5, inclusive, of this act, a prosecuting official may apply to a judge of the Superior Court for an order granting immunity from prosecution to any natural person to whom the state issues a subpoena. Such immunity may provide that the person will not be prosecuted or subjected to any penalty or forfeiture (1) for or on account of any property produced by such person, or for or on account of any evidence discovered as a result of or otherwise derived from property produced by such person, or (2) for or on account of any transaction, matter or thing concerning which such person produces property. 
(b) No person who has been properly served with a subpoena pursuant to section 2 of this act and receives immunity under subsection (a) of this section, shall be excused from producing any property before the prosecuting official concerning an investigation on the ground or for the reason that the property required may tend to incriminate such person or subject such person to a penalty or forfeiture. 
Sec. 4. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2015) If any subpoena is issued pursuant to section 2 of this act for the production of the medical records, including psychiatric and substance abuse treatment records, of a natural person, the prosecuting official shall give written notice of the issuance of such subpoena to such person. Such person shall have standing to file a motion to quash the subpoena in accordance with section 5 of this act. 
Sec. 5. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2015) (a) Whenever a subpoena has been issued to compel the production of property pursuant to section 2 of this act, the entity summoned may file a motion to quash the subpoena. No fees or costs shall be assessed. 
(b) The party filing the motion to quash shall be designated as the plaintiff, and shall be described as "John Doe", "Jane Doe" or some other alias, and the prosecuting official shall be designated as the defendant. 
(c) The motion, upon its filing, shall be sealed as to the public. The motion shall be referred to the presiding criminal judge of the court for hearing or for assignment to another judge for hearing. Unless otherwise ordered by the judge conducting the hearing, the hearing shall be conducted in camera and the file on the motion shall be sealed as to the public, subject to further order of the court. 
(d) The motion shall be expeditiously assigned and heard. The date and time of the hearing shall be established by the clerk after consultation with the judge assigned to conduct the hearing. The clerk shall give notice to the parties of the hearing so scheduled. 
(e) A judge may quash or modify any subpoena issued pursuant to section 2 of this act for just cause or in recognition of any privilege established under law.

This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following sections:
Section 1	October 1, 2015	New section
Sec. 2	October 1, 2015	New section
Sec. 3	October 1, 2015	New section
Sec. 4	October 1, 2015	New section
Sec. 5	October 1, 2015	New section

Statement of Purpose: 
To give state prosecutors the tools necessary to protect Connecticut residents from financial crime and to investigate fraud against government programs and funds. 
[Proposed deletions are enclosed in brackets. Proposed additions are indicated by underline, except that when the entire text of a bill or resolution or a section of a bill or resolution is new, it is not underlined.]

CT-N: HOUSE AND SENATE REPUBLICANS ADDRESS PROPOSED LEGISLATION RE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE!

INTRODUCED BY REP. PEGGY SAYERS, PROPOSED BILL NO. 6486, EXPANDING PATIENTS' RIGHT TO KNOW!

General Assembly		Proposed Bill No. 6486
January Session, 2015		LCO No. 1217
		*01217*
Referred to Committee on PUBLIC HEALTH
Introduced by:
REP. SAYERS, 60th Dist.

AN ACT CONCERNING INFORMED MEDICAL DECISIONS.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:

That title 19a of the general statutes be amended to require health care providers to (1) assist patients in evaluating treatment options based on each patient's goals, concerns, personal values, preferences and life circumstances in order to facilitate deliberation and decision-making, and (2) provide information to each patient concerning the benefits and risks of treatment options by using a decision aid such as that developed by the Informed Medical Decisions Foundation in order to arrive at an informed decision on health care treatment that is in the best interest of the patient.

Statement of Purpose:
To require health care providers to engage in a collaborative process of shared decision-making with patients.

INTRODUCED BY REP. JAMES ALBIS, PROPOSED BILL NO. 6481,TO EXPAND GRANDPARENT'S RIGHTS IN CUSTODY MATTERS!

General Assembly		Proposed Bill No. 6481
January Session, 2015		LCO No. 832
		*00832*
Referred to Committee on JUDICIARY
Introduced by:
REP. ALBIS, 99th Dist.

AN ACT CONCERNING A GRANDPARENT'S RIGHT TO VISITATION WITH HIS OR HER GRANDCHILD.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:

That section 46b-59 of the general statutes be amended to provide that there shall be a rebuttable presumption that a grandparent is entitled to a right to visitation with his or her grandchild.

Statement of Purpose:
To expand a grandparent's right to visitation with his or her grandchild.

INTRODUCED BY SEN. JOHN KISSEL, PROPOSED BILL NO. 676, TASK FORCE ON ALIMONY REFORM!

General Assembly   Proposed Bill No. 676   January Session, 2015   LCO No. 1752   *01752* Referred to Committee on JUDICIARY
Introduced by:
SEN. KISSEL, 7th Dist.

AN ACT CONCERNING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A TASK FORCE TO STUDY ALIMONY REFORM.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:

That a task force be established to study reforms relating to the award of alimony in the state.

Statement of Purpose:
To establish a task force that shall study the process and practice of awarding alimony in the state.

INTRODUCED BY SEN. JOHN KISSEL, PROPOSED BILL NO. 661, TO REDUCE TENSIONS BETWEEN PARENTS AND THE CT FAMILY COURTS!

General Assembly		Proposed Bill No. 661
January Session, 2015		LCO No. 2319
		*02319*
Referred to Committee on JUDICIARY
Introduced by:
SEN. KISSEL, 7th Dist.

AN ACT CONCERNING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CONNECTICUT PARENTAL RIGHTS ADVISORY COMMISSION.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:

That the general statutes be amended to establish the Connecticut Parental Rights Advisory Commission, which shall advise the Judicial Branch regarding family court issues with the intent of reducing conflict between parents and the state's family courts.

Statement of Purpose:
To establish the Connecticut Parental Rights Advisory Commission.

INTRODUCED BY SEN. MICHAEL MCLACHLAN, PROPOSED BILL NO. 660, TO ESTABLISH A CODE OF CONDUCT FOR CONSERVATORS!

General Assembly		Proposed Bill No. 660
January Session, 2015		LCO No. 2327
		*02327*
Referred to Committee on JUDICIARY
Introduced by:
SEN. MCLACHLAN, 24th Dist.

AN ACT CONCERNING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A PROFESSIONAL CODE OF CONDUCT FOR CONSERVATORS.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:

That chapter 801 of the general statutes be amended to require the Probate Court Administrator to develop and implement a professional code of conduct applicable to any conservator appointed in a Probate Court matter.

Statement of Purpose:
To require the Probate Court Administrator to develop and implement a professional code of conduct for conservators appointed in Probate Court matters.

INTRODUCED BY SEN. JOHN KISSEL, PROPOSED BILL NO. 659, IMPROVE THE PROCESS OF ENTERING COURT ORDERS REGARDING THE CUSTODY OF CHILDREN!

General Assembly		Proposed Bill No. 659
January Session, 2015		LCO No. 2322
		*02322*
Referred to Committee on JUDICIARY
Introduced by:
SEN. KISSEL, 7th Dist.

AN ACT CONCERNING COURT ORDERS REGARDING THE CARE AND CUSTODY OF CHILDREN.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:

That section 46b-56 of the general statutes be amended to provide that the court: (1) Shall not, on its own initiative, enter or modify an order regarding the care, custody, education, visitation or support of a child; and (2) shall clearly articulate specific findings as to each best interest factor considered when rendering a decision regarding the care, custody, education, visitation or support of a child

Statement of Purpose:
To improve the process relating to the entry of court orders regarding the care and custody of children.

INTRODUCED BY SEN. ART LENARES, PROPOSED BILL 656, TO MAKE IT EASIER TO COLLECT CHILD SUPPORT!

General Assembly		Proposed Bill No. 656
January Session, 2015		LCO No. 1448
		*01448*
Referred to Committee on JUDICIARY
Introduced by:
SEN. LINARES, 33rd Dist.

AN ACT CONCERNING SERVICE OF CAPIAS MITTIMUS ORDERS ON DELINQUENT CHILD SUPPORT OBLIGORS.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:

That section 46b-225 of the general statutes be amended to provide that in the event that a capias mittimus order is not served by a judicial marshal within sixty days of the date of the order, such order may be transmitted to the appropriate municipal police department for service on the child support obligor.

Statement of Purpose:
To improve collection of past due child support.

INTRODUCED BY SEN. MARTIN M. LOONEY, ET. AL., PROPOSED BILL NO. 651, TO PROVIDE MORE PROTECTION TO VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE!

General Assembly		Proposed Bill No. 651
January Session, 2015		LCO No. 2205
		*02205*
Referred to Committee on JUDICIARY
Introduced by:
SEN. LOONEY, 11th Dist. SEN. DUFF, 25th Dist. SEN. BYE, 5th Dist. SEN. CASSANO, 4th Dist. SEN. COLEMAN, 2nd Dist.			SEN. CRISCO, 17th Dist. SEN. FLEXER, 29th Dist. SEN. LARSON, 3rd Dist. SEN. MOORE, 22nd Dist. SEN. WINFIELD, 10th Dist.

AN ACT CONCERNING A TEMPORARY HOLD FOR CERTAIN FAMILY VIOLENCE ARRESTEES.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:
That title 46b of the general statutes be amended to require that any person charged with the commission of a family violence crime, as defined in section 46b-38a of the general statutes, or violation of an order issued pursuant to section 46b-15 of the general statutes or subsection (e) of section 46b-38c of the general statutes, shall be held without bond for a period of twelve hours if, at the time of the arrest or any time preceding release, the police officer finds any of the following factors: (1) The use or threatened use of a deadly weapon by the arrested person or a pattern of prior conduct involving the use or threatened use of violence with a firearm against the victim; (2) threats to seriously injure or kill the victim or a minor child by the arrested person; (3) threats to commit suicide by the arrested person; or (4) serious physical injuries inflicted upon the victim or a minor child by the arrested person.

Statement of Purpose:
To provide victims of domestic violence who may be in immediate danger with a significant, set period of time to make provisions for their safety.

INTRODUCED BY SEN. MARTIN M. LOONEY, ET. AL., PROPOSED BILL NO. 650, GREATER PROTECTION FOR THOSE GRANTED TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDERS!

General Assembly		Proposed Bill No. 650
January Session, 2015		LCO No. 2202
		*02202*
Referred to Committee on JUDICIARY
Introduced by:
SEN. LOONEY, 11th Dist. SEN. DUFF, 25th Dist. SEN. BYE, 5th Dist. SEN. BARTOLOMEO, 13th Dist. SEN. CASSANO, 4th Dist. SEN. COLEMAN, 2nd Dist.			SEN. CRISCO, 17th Dist. SEN. KENNEDY, 12th Dist. SEN. FLEXER, 29th Dist. SEN. LARSON, 3rd Dist. SEN. WINFIELD, 10th Dist.

AN ACT CONCERNING TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDERS.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:

That section 46b-15 of the general statutes be amended to improve the service and effectiveness of temporary restraining orders issued, including, to: (1) Require a sworn police officer to serve such order in certain circumstances, including whenever the applicant indicates on the application therefor that the respondent has access to a firearm or ammunition or is in possession of a state-issued firearm or ammunition permit or eligibility certificate; (2) allow a court to extend such order if the applicant is present for the subsequent hearing fourteen days after issuance but the order has not yet been served; (3) increase access on the part of applicants to domestic violence advocates who can assist them in properly filling out applications; (4) broaden the methods by which respondents may be given legal notice of such orders by sworn peace officers; and (5) allow the court to order the respondent to a temporary restraining order that has been issued by the court to temporarily transfer, deliver or surrender all firearms and ammunition that he or she possesses, along with any permit issued pursuant to section 29-28 of the general statutes, and all eligibility certificates issued pursuant to sections 29-36f and 29-37q of the general statutes.

Statement of Purpose:
To provide greater protection to applicants who are granted temporary restraining orders by Connecticut courts.

INTRODUCED BY SEN. JOE MARKLEY: PROPOSED BILL NO. 641, TO OPEN JUVENILE COURTS TO THE PUBLIC!

General Assembly		Proposed Bill No. 641
January Session, 2015		LCO No. 2274
		*02274*
Referred to Committee on JUDICIARY
Introduced by:
SEN. MARKLEY, 16th Dist.

AN ACT CONCERNING JUVENILE COURTS.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:

That chapter 815t of the general statutes be amended to require that juvenile courts be open to the public.

Statement of Purpose:
To allow open courts in juvenile matters.

INTRODUCED BY SEN. MARTIN M. LOONEY: S.B. 622, PROPOSED ACT REGARDING THE RECORDS OF DCF!

General Assembly		Proposed Bill No. 622
January Session, 2015		LCO No. 2156
		*02156*
Referred to Committee on COMMITTEE ON CHILDREN
Introduced by:
SEN. LOONEY, 11th Dist.

AN ACT CONCERNING ACCESS TO RECORDS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:

That title 17a of the general statutes be amended to allow access to records of the Department of Children and Families in cases where there is a criminal conviction and the conduct of the Department of Children and Families is in question.

Statement of Purpose:
To protect state residents by increasing transparency.

PROPOSED BILL NO. 5138 (SOLELY IN REGARD TO GALs)!

Hi Everyone:  Below is a copy of the newly proposed bill before the Judiciary Committee for upcoming consideration.  Please note that it includes solely GALs.  Eventually, there will be a public hearing on this bill.  You might consider  starting to jot down your ideas about this bill so you will be ready to provide your testimony when the time comes.  If you have any thoughts and opinions you'd like to share right now, don't hesitate to comment below. 

SPONSORS:

REP. CANDELARIA, 95TH DIST.

REP. GONZALEZ, 3RD DIST.

REP. CARTER, 2ND DIST.

REP. WITKOS, 8TH DIST.

REP. SAYERS, 60TH DIST.


AN ACT CONCERNING IMPROVED OVERSIGHT OF GUARDIANS AD LITEM.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:

The section 51-296a of the general statutes be amended to provide that the Office of the Chief Public Defender shall assume oversight responsibilities of all guardians ad litem appointed in proceedings before the superior court for juvenile matters and family relations matters.  Such oversight responsibilities shall include, but not be limited to, the establishment of a fee structure and review of all complaints alleging a violation of the fee structure.

Statement of Purpose:

To improve oversight of guardians ad litem who represent children in proceedings before the superior court for juvenile matters and family relations matters.

RELATED ARTICLES:

http://divorceinconnecticut.blogspot.com/2014/02/proposed-bill-no-5209-oversight-for.html