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SB 278

AN ACT CONCERNING MILITARY PROTECTIVE ORDERS TO ADDRESS MILITARY INTERPERSONAL VIOLENCE.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Aimee Berger-Girvalo

Connecticut bill creating military-specific protective orders for service members and veterans experiencing interpersonal violence, addressing jurisdictional gaps in existing civilian restraining order systems.

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Bill Summary · SB 278

Legislative bill overview

SB 278 establishes a framework for military protective orders in Connecticut to address interpersonal violence within military populations. The bill creates a legal mechanism allowing military service members, veterans, and their families to obtain court-ordered protection similar to civilian restraining orders. This legislation specifically targets domestic violence, sexual assault, and harassment occurring within military communities.

Why is this important

Military personnel face unique barriers to accessing civilian protective order systems due to jurisdictional complications, deployment situations, and chain-of-command concerns. Dedicated military protective orders could provide faster, more culturally appropriate remedies while addressing the documented prevalence of interpersonal violence in military populations. This also fills a gap where federal military justice systems may be insufficient or inaccessible for certain victims.

Potential points of contention

  • Jurisdictional overlap: Unclear how military protective orders interact with existing civilian restraining orders, federal military law, and the Uniform Code of Military Justice, potentially creating enforcement conflicts
  • Definition and eligibility: Ambiguity about who qualifies (active duty only? reserves? veterans? family members?), what relationships are covered, and whether orders apply on/off military installations
  • Command structure concerns: Questions about whether involving civilian courts undermines military chain-of-command authority and whether service members might avoid seeking help due to career implications

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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