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CT HB07121

CT HB07121
An Act Excluding Veterans' Federal Service-connected Disability Benefits For Purposes Of Eligibility For Assistance From A Public Defender.


summary

Introduced
02/27/2025
In Committee
03/27/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
06/04/2025

Introduced Session

2025 General Assembly

Bill Summary

To exclude all service-connected disability benefits administered by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs from consideration when determining eligibility for assistance from a public defender based on indigency.

AI Summary

This bill amends existing Connecticut law regarding public defender eligibility by specifically excluding veterans' service-connected disability benefits from income calculations when determining whether an individual qualifies as an "indigent defendant" for the purposes of receiving legal representation. Currently, when assessing a person's financial ability to secure legal representation, all income is considered. Under this new legislation, any disability benefits administered by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs will be disregarded when calculating income, which means veterans receiving these benefits will have a better chance of qualifying for a public defender. The bill defines an "indigent defendant" as someone formally charged with a crime who cannot afford legal representation, and sets the income threshold at 250% of the federal poverty level. The change aims to ensure that veterans' disability benefits, which are intended to compensate for service-related injuries or disabilities, do not prevent them from accessing legal assistance when needed. The legislative change will take effect on July 1, 2025, and applies to public defender services across Connecticut.

Committee Categories

Military Affairs and Security

Sponsors (0)

No sponsors listed

Other Sponsors (1)

Veterans' and Military Affairs Committee (J)

Last Action

File Number 321 (on 03/27/2025)

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