HB 5509 Connecticut House · 2026 Regular Session

AN ACT CONCERNING JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.

This bill establishes new requirements and oversight for justices of the peace in Connecticut, affecting those appointed to the position and the Secretary of the State. It mandates that newly appointed justices complete a training manual within 30 days and prohibits them from performing fraudulent marriages or using their title for commercial endorsements. The Secretary of the State gains authority to investigate misconduct and can issue warnings, reprimands, or revoke appointments for negligence, fraud, or unlawful actions. Additionally, the bill creates a process for filling vacancies in municipalities that increase the number of justices, allowing political parties to nominate candidates for these positions.

Issues: ✓ Criminal Justice

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Mar 2026

Committee Review

Mar 2026

House Passage

Apr 2026

Senate Passage

May 2026

Signed into Law

Jun 2026

Introduced Mar 5, 2026 Signed Jun 4, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Raised Bill → PD Joint Favorable Substitute · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was converted from a 'Raised Bill' to a 'Substitute Bill' with significant substantive changes to the qualifications and liability rules for justices of the peace. The most critical addition is a new section establishing a formal investigation process for official misconduct by justices of the peace, allowing the Secretary of the State to issue warnings or revoke appointments. Additionally, the bill clarifies employer liability for misconduct and outlines specific rules for filling vacancies created by municipal ordinance changes.

Scope change

The bill now explicitly defines the scope of official misconduct investigations and expands the Secretary of the State's authority to discipline justices of the peace, whereas the previous version focused primarily on appointment qualifications and general liability.

ENFORCEMENT

New section added requiring the Secretary of the State to investigate allegations of official misconduct by justices of the peace and issue findings.

Authority granted to the Secretary to deliver written warnings, reprimands, or suspend/revoke the appointment of a justice of the peace if misconduct is confirmed.

ELIGIBILITY

Clarified that termination or revocation of a justice of the peace's appointment does not stop an ongoing misconduct investigation.

REQUIREMENT

New provisions detailing how vacancies created by municipal ordinance changes must be filled, including specific nomination rules for major political parties.

DEFINITION

Added specific criteria for when an employer is liable for damages caused by a justice of the peace's official misconduct.

Floor votes · Senate May 6, 2026 · House Apr 8, 2026

How they voted

36–0

Passed

Total votes 36

May 6, 2026

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

Key actions

Committee

Jun 4, 2026

Signed into law

SIGNED BY GOVERNOR

lower

May 6, 2026

Upper · Passed

SENATE PASSED

upper

Apr 8, 2026

Lower · Passed

HOUSE PASSED

lower

Mar 13, 2026

Lower · Passed

Joint Favorable Substitute

lower

Mar 5, 2026

Committee

REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Planning and Development

lower

8 primary · 0 co-sponsors