summary
Introduced
03/20/2025
03/20/2025
In Committee
05/13/2025
05/13/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025 General Assembly
Bill Summary
To (1) require that persons who are incarcerated be immediately provided evidence-based mental health interventions upon initial assessment and intake, (2) require that persons who are incarcerated be fed palatable and nutritious meals and not be served nutraloaf as punishment, (3) ensure that persons who are incarcerated are provided a form to authorize another person to access their medical records, (4) cause the publication of the Criminal Justice Institute's report concerning cases of medical neglect in Connecticut's correctional facilities and provide that claimants in such cases be granted permission to sue the state, (5) adopt measures to increase access to data concerning cases involving medical neglect by the Department of Correction, (6) require a study of relocating the New Haven Correctional Center on Whalley Avenue and the Bridgeport Correctional Center, (7) employ measures to increase staffing at correctional facilities, (8) increase productive time for out-of-cell time for persons who are incarcerated, (9) ensure incidents of violence against correctional officers are fully documented, and (10) establish a pilot program for body scans in lieu of body and cavity searches and bonding for such program.
AI Summary
This bill introduces comprehensive reforms to the Connecticut Department of Correction, focusing on improving healthcare, nutrition, safety, and rights for incarcerated individuals. The bill requires immediate evidence-based mental health interventions upon intake, mandates that incarcerated persons receive palatable and nutritious meals (explicitly prohibiting nutraloaf as punishment), and ensures individuals can authorize medical record access for another person. It also requires the publication of a report on medical neglect cases in correctional facilities, allowing claimants to sue the state within one year of notification. The bill establishes measures to increase staffing at correctional facilities, expand productive out-of-cell programming, and fully document incidents of violence against correctional officers. Additionally, it includes a pilot program for body scanning as an alternative to invasive strip and cavity searches, with requirements for detailed reporting on the program's effectiveness. The bill aims to improve medical care, mental health services, and overall conditions for incarcerated individuals, with most provisions set to take effect between October 1, 2025, and January 1, 2026.
Committee Categories
Budget and Finance, Justice
Sponsors (1)
Other Sponsors (1)
Judiciary Committee (J)
Last Action
Favorable Report, Tabled for the Calendar, Senate (on 05/13/2025)
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=SB01543&which_year=2025 |
| BillText | https://www.cga.ct.gov/2025/TOB/S/PDF/2025SB-01543-R02-SB.PDF |
| Bill Analysis For File Copy 801 | https://www.cga.ct.gov/2025/BA/PDF/2025SB-01543-R000801-BA.PDF |
| Fiscal Note For File Copy 801 | https://www.cga.ct.gov/2025/FN/PDF/2025SB-01543-R000801-FN.PDF |
| BillText | https://www.cga.ct.gov/2025/TOB/S/PDF/2025SB-01543-R01-SB.PDF |
| BillText | https://www.cga.ct.gov/2025/TOB/S/PDF/2025SB-01543-R00-SB.PDF |
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