Bill > SB01541

This bill makes several significant changes to the Office of the Correction Ombuds and regulations surrounding correctional facilities. The bill extends the Correction Ombuds' term from an initial two-year period to a four-year term aligned with the Governor's term, and expands the office's powers and responsibilities. Key provisions include allowing the Ombuds to conduct unannounced facility visits, perform confidential surveys of incarcerated individuals and staff, issue subpoenas, and have broad access to departmental records while maintaining confidentiality protections. The bill also requires correction officers to intervene and report excessive use of force, mandates the development of a body camera implementation plan for correctional facilities, and ensures that Freedom of Information Act provisions can override certain collective bargaining agreements regarding disciplinary record disclosure. Additionally, the bill requires the Ombuds and Attorney General's office to publish information about cases filed against the Department of Correction related to excessive force or medical neglect, and includes provisions for waiving certain criminal history record search fees. The overall goal appears to be increasing transparency, accountability, and oversight in Connecticut's correctional system while protecting the rights of both incarcerated individuals and correction officers.

Budget and Finance, Justice

Judiciary Committee (J)

https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=SB01541&which_year=2025