Bill > SB00249

This bill, effective July 1, 2026, establishes a new framework for revoking or reducing the pensions of public officials and state or municipal employees who are convicted of crimes related to their public service. It creates a rebuttable presumption that a public official's pension should be completely revoked, while a state or municipal employee's pension should be partially reduced, if they commit such a crime. The bill defines "public official" broadly to include elected or appointed officials and judges, and "state or municipal employee" to include those working for the state, quasi-public agencies, or municipalities, including local or regional education boards. "Crime related to state or municipal office" encompasses offenses like embezzlement, theft, bribery, or any felony committed with intent to gain financially through abuse of public office. Courts will consider specific factors when determining whether to revoke or reduce a pension, including the severity of the crime, financial losses incurred, the degree of public trust involved, and the defendant's role in any fraudulent scheme. The bill also allows for consideration of a defendant's financial circumstances at the time of the crime, and permits courts to direct reduced pension payments to innocent spouses, dependents, or beneficiaries. A key exception allows for no pension revocation if an individual voluntarily provides information about a more culpable co-offender before learning of an investigation into their own crime, though a reduction may still be possible.

Government Affairs

Government Oversight Committee (Joint)

https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=SB00249&which_year=2026