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SB 1544 Connecticut Senate · 2025 Regular Session

AN ACT CONCERNING A STUDY ON PRESETTLEMENT LEGAL FUNDING AND LOANS MADE IN CONNECTION WITH THE ANTICIPATED RECEIPT OF A WRONGFUL INCARCERATION AWARD.

SB 1544 authorizes a study examining legal funding and loans used by individuals awaiting wrongful incarceration compensation awards. It directly affects people wrongfully imprisoned who may have borrowed money for legal costs before receiving their award. The study will analyze how these financial arrangements impact their ability to secure compensation. This bill does not create new laws or provide funding, but directs state officials to investigate the current system. (Signed by Governor on July 8, 2025.)
Issues: ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill studies wrongful incarceration compensation system, aligning with reform goals to protect civil rights and address systemic issues in criminal justice.85% confidence
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2025
Senate Passage
May 2025
House Passage
Jun 2025
Signed into Law
Jul 2025
Introduced Mar 21, 2025 Signed Jul 8, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Raised Bill → JUD Joint Favorable Substitute · 4 edits
MODERATE
This bill was amended to change its title from an act to a study to a study on presettlement legal funding and loans related to wrongful incarceration awards. The Banking Commissioner's title was updated, the reporting deadline was moved from January 15, 2026 to January 8, 2026, and new requirements were added to establish a trustee appointment process for managing wrongful incarceration awards while claims are pending.
Scope change
The bill's scope was expanded to include a requirement for establishing a trustee process for managing wrongful incarceration awards, in addition to the existing requirement for the Banking Commissioner to study consumer complaints and enforcement actions.
REQUIREMENT

Added a requirement to establish a process for appointing a trustee to manage wrongful incarceration awards while claims are pending with the Office of the Claims Commissioner.

TIMELINE

Changed the reporting deadline for the Banking Commissioner's study from January 15, 2026 to January 8, 2026.

TECHNICAL

Updated the title of the Banking Commissioner from 'Commissioner of Banking' to 'Banking Commissioner' throughout the document.

SCOPE

Changed the bill title from an 'Act' to a 'Study' and added 'on' to clarify the bill's purpose is to conduct a study rather than enact immediate regulatory changes.

Floor votes · Senate May 7, 2025 · House Jun 4, 2025

How they voted

36–0
Passed
Total votes 36
May 7, 2025
D Democratic25
25 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican11
11 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
18
Key actions
4
Committee
2
Jul 8, 2025
Signed into law
SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
upper
Jun 4, 2025
Lower · Passed
HOUSE PASSED
lower
May 7, 2025
Upper · Passed
SENATE PASSED
upper
Apr 4, 2025
Upper · Passed
Joint Favorable Substitute
upper
Mar 21, 2025
Committee
REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Judiciary
upper
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.