Bill > HB07070

This bill amends Connecticut's self-defense law to eliminate the requirement that a person retreat before using deadly physical force when they are inside a house of religious worship. Specifically, the bill modifies existing statutes to explicitly state that individuals in religious buildings owned or held in trust by a religious organization are not obligated to retreat before using deadly force if they reasonably believe such force is necessary for self-defense or defending others. Currently, the law generally requires a person to retreat or avoid using deadly force if they can do so with complete safety, but this bill creates an exception for places of religious worship, similar to existing exceptions for one's home or workplace. The change aims to provide greater protection and legal latitude for individuals defending themselves in religious settings, taking effect on October 1, 2025. By removing the retreat requirement in these specific circumstances, the bill gives individuals more legal justification to use deadly force when they feel threatened in a house of religious worship.

Justice

Judiciary Committee (J)

https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=HB07070&which_year=2025