Bill > HB05176

This bill proposes to amend section 54-33o of the general statutes to restore a police officer's legal authority to request consent to search a motor vehicle under specific circumstances. Specifically, the bill allows law enforcement officers to ask for permission to search a vehicle when they have what is legally termed a "reasonable and articulable suspicion" that the vehicle contains weapons, contraband (illegal items), or evidence related to a criminal offense. The purpose of this legislation is to provide police with a tool to potentially remove illegal weapons and drugs from circulation and to aid in criminal investigations. By requiring that the officer have a "reasonable and articulable suspicion" - which is a legal standard higher than a mere hunch but lower than probable cause - the bill seeks to balance law enforcement's investigative needs with protections against arbitrary searches. The bill does not mandate that a vehicle must be searched, but rather gives officers the ability to request consent, which the vehicle's occupant can still choose to refuse.

Justice

https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=HB05176&which_year=2025