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HB 5400

AN ACT REVISING THE DEFINITION OF "POLICE PATROL VEHICLE".

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Paul Cicarella and 1 co-sponsor

Connecticut bill modifies police patrol vehicle definition, potentially affecting law enforcement fleet standards, procurement requirements, and municipal budgets statewide.

FILE NO. 252
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Bill Summary · HB 5400

Legislative bill overview

HB 5400 modifies Connecticut's legal definition of what constitutes a "police patrol vehicle." The bill was introduced by Rep. Greg Howard and has been referred to the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Security for review. Without access to the specific language of the bill, the exact nature of the definitional change—whether expanding, narrowing, or clarifying the term—cannot be determined from the public record provided.

Why is this important

Definitional changes to police patrol vehicles affect insurance classifications, procurement standards, equipment requirements, and budget allocations for law enforcement agencies across Connecticut. This classification also influences regulatory compliance, vehicle safety standards, and potentially what types of vehicles municipalities can deploy for patrol duties, which has operational and fiscal consequences for police departments statewide.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope ambiguity: Changes to the definition could affect which vehicles qualify for police use, potentially expanding costs for departments that must upgrade fleets or restricting vehicle options available to them
  • Insurance and liability implications: Modified definitions may alter insurance categories and coverage requirements for police vehicles, affecting municipal budgets and risk management
  • Equipment and technology standards: New definitions might establish different baseline equipment requirements (communications, safety features, technology), creating compliance burdens for smaller departments with limited budgets

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

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