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HB 7150 Connecticut House · 2025 Regular Session

AN ACT CONCERNING JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.

HB 7150 establishes new standards for local court officers known as justices of the peace. It requires all appointees to pass a written exam administered by the Secretary of the State by specific deadlines (May 1, 2026, or 120 days after appointment for 2026 appointments). The bill defines "official misconduct" to include fraud, negligence, or illegal acts in office, and holds both justices and their employers liable for harm caused by such misconduct. It also grants the Secretary of the State authority to investigate misconduct allegations, issue warnings, and suspend or revoke appointments. This directly affects current and future justices of the peace, their employers (like municipalities), and the Secretary’s enforcement role.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2025
House Passage
Jun 2025
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Mar 5, 2025 Last action Jun 4, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Raised Bill → PD Joint Favorable Substitute · 7 edits
MODERATE
This bill establishes a new certification and regulation system for justices of the peace, requiring them to pass an exam and follow a published manual of duties. It also clarifies liability rules for employers and defines misconduct more specifically.
Scope change
The bill's scope was expanded to include detailed regulations for justice of the peace qualifications, liability, and oversight that were not present in the original version.
TIMELINE

The effective date for the new justice of the peace requirements was changed from January 1, 2026 to October 1, 2025.

REQUIREMENT

Added a requirement that justices of the peace must pass a written examination administered by the Secretary of the State within 120 days of appointment or by May 1, 2026.

Added a requirement that the Secretary publish a manual of duties and administer examinations by July 1, 2026.

DEFINITION

Expanded the definition of misconduct to include conduct prohibited by subsection (a) of section 2 of the act.

ENFORCEMENT

Clarified employer liability rules to specify that misconduct must occur in the course of business and be related to employer direction or approval.

Added provisions allowing employers to be liable to justices of the peace for damages caused by employer coercion or retaliation.

ELIGIBILITY

Modified vacancy filling procedures to require town clerks to select one-third of justices and establish a lottery system for remaining positions among major political parties.

Floor votes · House Jun 4, 2025

How they voted

150–0
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 151
Jun 4, 2025
D Democratic102
102 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican49
48 Yea 1
97% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
14
Key actions
3
Committee
2
Amendments
1
Jun 4, 2025
Lower · Passed
HOUSE PASSED, HOUSE AMEND. SCH. A
lower
Jun 4, 2025
Lower · Passed
HOUSE ADOPTED HOUSE AMEND. SCH. A
lower
Mar 28, 2025
Lower · Passed
Joint Favorable Substitute
lower
Mar 5, 2025
Committee
REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Planning and Development
lower
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.