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Bill > HB05602


CT HB05602

An Act Concerning Civil Actions Resulting From Deprivation Of Equal Protection Of The Laws Of The State Committed By An Elected State Official.


summary

Introduced
01/21/2025
In Committee
01/21/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2025 General Assembly

Bill Summary

To ensure that state elected officials are held to the same standard as law enforcement personnel in protecting the constitutional rights of state residents.

AI Summary

This bill amends Connecticut's existing laws to establish stricter accountability for state elected officials' actions related to constitutional rights. Specifically, the bill prohibits any state elected official (including members of the General Assembly, Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Comptroller, Treasurer, and Secretary of State) from depriving any person or group of equal protection under state laws or constitutional privileges. Importantly, the bill modifies the standard of governmental immunity for these officials in civil rights lawsuits. Under the new provision, these officials can only claim governmental immunity if they can demonstrate that at the time of the alleged constitutional violation, they had an objectively good faith belief that their conduct was legally permissible. This change is designed to hold state elected officials to a similar standard of accountability as law enforcement personnel, ensuring they can be held legally responsible for intentional or reckless violations of constitutional rights. The bill aims to provide a stronger legal mechanism for protecting residents' constitutional rights by reducing the scope of immunity for state elected officials.

Committee Categories

Justice

Sponsors (4)

Last Action

Referred to Joint Committee on Judiciary (on 01/21/2025)

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