HB 5477 Connecticut House · 2026 Regular Session

AN ACT CONCERNING THE WELL-BEING OF EMPLOYEES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION AND PERSONS WHO ARE INCARCERATED IN CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS.

This bill requires the Department of Correction and other state facilities that detain offenders to adopt and follow national standards for preventing, detecting, and responding to sexual abuse. It mandates specific policies including zero tolerance for abuse, enhanced privacy protections for transgender individuals, improved surveillance coverage, and specialized training for staff and volunteers. The legislation also establishes reporting requirements, mandates investigations within 30 days of abuse reports, and requires regular compliance certifications to be submitted to state oversight committees.

Issues: ✓ Criminal Justice

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Mar 2026

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Mar 5, 2026 Last action Apr 2, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Raised Bill → GOS Joint Favorable Substitute · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was reclassified from a 'Raised Bill' to a 'GOS Joint Favorable Substitute,' indicating it has been approved by the General Oversight Subcommittee. Substantive changes include the addition of new standards for zero-tolerance policies and specialized training, as well as the insertion of a new section requiring the Commissioner of Correction to complete sexual abuse investigations within thirty days and submit quarterly reports.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to include new specific standards for inmate supervision and training, and a new mandatory reporting timeline for sexual abuse investigations was added.

REQUIREMENT

Added specific standards requiring zero tolerance for sexual abuse threats and contracting with other entities for inmate confinement.

Added a requirement for specialized training on investigations, internal administrative matters, and medical/mental health care.

TIMELINE

Added a new mandate for the Commissioner of Correction to complete sexual abuse investigations within thirty days of receiving a report.

ENFORCEMENT

Added a requirement for quarterly reporting to the General Assembly regarding unreported incidents or investigations not completed within the thirty-day limit.

TECHNICAL

Changed the bill status from 'Raised Bill' to 'Substitute Bill' and updated the introduction section to reflect GOS approval.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 17, 2026

Lower · Passed

Joint Favorable Substitute

lower

Mar 5, 2026

Committee

REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Government Oversight

lower

18 primary · 0 co-sponsors