WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HB 7259

AN ACT CONCERNING REVISIONS TO VARIOUS STATUTES CONCERNING CRIMINAL JUSTICE.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Matt Blumenthal and 14 co-sponsors

HB 7259 updates many criminal justice laws to modernize procedures, protections for victims and people with disabilities, and sentencing and supervision rules.

SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
#acceleratedpretrialrehabilitation #autismspectrumdisorders #bail #bloodtests #children #communitycorrectionservices #correctiondepartment #courtsupportservicesdivision #dnatesting #deadlyphysicalforce #developmentalservices #departmentof #disclosure #emergencyservicesandpublicprotection #entryanddetainer #failuretoappear #felonies #fines(penalties) #gambling #gaming #healthcarefacilities #immigration #intellectualdisabilities #personswith #jurors #lawenforcement #mentalhealthandaddictionservices #mentallyillpersons #misdemeanors #peaceofficers #physicalrestraint #prisoners #sentenceandpunishment #sexualassaultevidence #socialservices #trafficviolations #violations
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 7259

Summary — HB 7259: AN ACT CONCERNING REVISIONS TO VARIOUS STATUTES CONCERNING CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Status: Signed by Governor — Public Act 25-29 (signed 2025-06-09)
Introduced: 2025-03-26; Referred to Judiciary Committee

Purpose

HB 7259 is a comprehensive omnibus criminal justice bill that updates and revises multiple Connecticut statutes across a broad range of criminal-justice topics. Its intent is to modernize statutory language, clarify procedures for courts, law enforcement, corrections and service providers, and to address procedural, evidentiary and sentencing matters affecting defendants, victims and public-safety agencies.

Key provisions (by topic)

The enacted bill contains numerous discrete changes; major areas addressed include:

  • Accelerated pretrial rehabilitation and diversion: revises eligibility, procedure or oversight for accelerated pretrial rehabilitation and other pretrial diversion mechanisms.
  • Bail and failure-to-appear: modifies statutory provisions related to bail decisions, conditions and consequences for failure to appear.
  • Law enforcement procedures: updates rules governing use of deadly physical force, physical restraint, blood tests and DNA testing; revises disclosure and reporting duties.
  • Evidence and victims’ rights: changes handling, testing and preservation of sexual-assault evidence kits and related evidentiary processes.
  • Persons with disabilities and developmental/mental health needs: adds or clarifies protections, accommodations and procedures for persons with autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disabilities, and mental illness in interactions with police, courts and corrections.
  • Corrections and community supervision: revises statutes governing the Department of Correction, Community Correction Services and the Court Support Services Division, including sentence, punishment and community supervision provisions.
  • Procedural and sentencing technical changes: adjusts provisions on misdemeanors vs. felonies, fines/penalties (including certain gambling/gaming and traffic violations), entry and detainer, prisoners and related administrative processes.
  • Miscellaneous: includes statutory coordination with Departments of Developmental Services, Mental Health & Addiction Services, Emergency Services and Public Protection, and references to immigration and juror eligibility where applicable.

Who is affected

  • Defendants and persons accused of crimes (including those with disabilities)
  • Victims (especially sexual-assault survivors)
  • Law enforcement agencies and peace officers
  • Courts, prosecutors and public defenders
  • Department of Correction, community correction providers and related state agencies
  • Healthcare and evidence-handling facilities
  • Jurors and the general public where penalty or procedural changes apply

Procedural history & status

  • Referred to Judiciary Committee 2025-03-26; public hearing 03/31/2025
  • Committee reported favorably; House adopted House Amendment Schedule A (other House amendments rejected)
  • Senate concurred; bill transmitted to the Secretary of the State and signed by the Governor 2025-06-09
  • Enacted as Public Act 25-29

Next steps / Implementation

The act is now law. Specific effective dates and the exact statutory text should be confirmed by consulting the enrolled Public Act 25-29 or the official legislative website and by reviewing the bill’s text for section-by-section effective dates and implementation instructions.

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

Sign in to ask a question.