Bill > HB05443

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 a "reasonable and articulable suspicion" that weapons, contraband (illegal items), or evidence of a crime may be present inside the vehicle. The purpose of the bill is to provide police with a tool to potentially remove illegal weapons and drugs from circulation and to aid in criminal investigations. By reinstating this consent search provision, the legislation aims to give law enforcement more flexibility in conducting vehicle searches while still requiring the owner's consent, which means the driver or vehicle owner must willingly agree to the search and has the right to refuse.

Justice

https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=HB05443&which_year=2025