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SB 475CONNECTICUTSession 2026State BillSigned into law

Enacted

Connecticut enacts Substitute Senate Bill 475 to revise Judicial Branch operations, court procedures, and first responder confidentiality rules

Original title: AN ACT CONCERNING JUDICIAL BRANCH OPERATIONS.

Last action · June 4, 2026: Signed by the GovernorSponsors: John Kissel and 2 others

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

Law

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What This Bill Does

Substitute Senate Bill 475 enacts comprehensive changes to Judicial Branch operations, expanding capital project approval thresholds for the Chief Court Administrator, regulating first responder peer support communications, and modifying child protection, arbitration, and sentencing procedures.

Why it matters

The measure directly alters the administrative limits for Judicial Branch facility repairs, shifts the destination of certain inmate property sales proceeds, introduces mandatory bar membership requirements for arbitrators, and establishes strict evidentiary privileges for first responder peer support programs.

Background

The Connecticut General Assembly enacts omnibus legislation regarding judicial branch operations and court procedures periodically to update statutory frameworks. context

Who It Affects

Groups the bill's text affects, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

Judicial Branch

The Judicial Branch receives expanded administrative authority over capital repair thresholds, court seal usage, and operational procedures.

Directly affected

First responders

First responders gain evidentiary privileges protecting confidential communications made to peer support team members.

Directly affected

Inmates and detainees

Inmates and detainees are subject to updated rules regarding property disposition, trust fund disbursements upon release, and family violence unit disclosures.

Directly affected

Arbitrators

Arbitrators conducting proceedings in the state must maintain membership in good standing of the state bar unless waived by the parties.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

What changes are made regarding Judicial Branch building repairs?

The Office of the Chief Court Administrator may oversee repairs, alterations, or additions up to three million dollars for buildings under its supervision without requiring the approval of the Commissioner of Administrative Services.

Are communications between first responders and peer support team members confidential?

Yes. Oral and written communications between a first responder and a in an employer-established program are confidential and generally cannot be disclosed in civil, criminal, or administrative proceedings unless an exception applies, such as a clear and present danger.

What qualifications are required for arbitrators in the state under this act?

Arbitrators conducting arbitration proceedings in the state must be members in good standing of the bar of the state, unless all parties sign a written waiver of this requirement.

How are inmate trust fund balances disbursed upon release?

The Department of Correction must disburse remaining account balances in cash, by check, or via a prepaid device, provided at least one alternative option of cash or check is offered and no fees are imposed on the formerly incarcerated person.

What else do you want to know?

News Coverage

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Votes, people, money & the original source

Where This Stands

Current status: Signed into law.

Procedural history

21 actions

Jun 4, 2026Governor of ConnecticutEnrolled
Signed by the Governor
May 26, 2026Governor of Connecticut
Transmitted by Secretary of the State to Governor
May 26, 2026Connecticut General Assembly
Transmitted to the Secretary of State
May 19, 2026Connecticut General AssemblyEnrolled
Public Act 26-92
May 5, 2026Connecticut General Assembly
In Concurrence
May 5, 2026HouseFloor
House Passed as Amended by Senate Amendment Schedule A

Show 15 earlier actions

May 5, 2026HouseFloor
House Adopted Senate Amendment Schedule A
May 1, 2026House
House Calendar Number 560
May 1, 2026House
Favorable Report, Tabled for the Calendar, House
May 1, 2026House
Rules Suspended, Transmitted to the House
May 1, 2026SenateFloor
Senate Passed as Amended by Senate Amendment Schedule A
May 1, 2026SenateFloor
Senate Adopted Senate Amendment Schedule A 5719
Apr 16, 2026Connecticut General Assembly
File Number 653
Apr 16, 2026Senate
Senate Calendar Number 416
Apr 16, 2026Senate
Favorable Report, Tabled for the Calendar, Senate
Apr 16, 2026Connecticut General Assembly
Reported Out of Legislative Commissioners' Office
Apr 10, 2026Connecticut General Assembly
Referred to Office of Legislative Research and Office of Fiscal Analysis 04/15/26 5:00 PM
Mar 30, 2026Connecticut General Assembly
Filed with Legislative Commissioners' Office
Mar 30, 2026Connecticut General Assembly
Joint Favorable Substitute
Mar 16, 2026Connecticut General Assembly
Public Hearing 03/20
Mar 9, 2026Connecticut General AssemblyCommittee
Referred to Joint Committee on Judiciary

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

View official text →

Lobbying Activity

No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.

Full breakdown

Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.

Discoveries

1 pattern noticed across the record

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.

policy shift95% confidence

Expansion of Judicial Administrative Authority

The legislation broadens the authority of the Chief Court Administrator regarding capital project thresholds, seal usage, and property disposition separate from the Department of Administrative Services.

Chief Court Administrator Judicial Branch Commissioner of Administrative Services

Connected Entities

State Board of Education, Rep. Tom Delnicki, Department of Correction and 8 more

OrganizationState Board of Education“Responsible for paying excess educational costs for juvenile residential centers”Map →

PersonRep. Tom Delnicki“Cosponsor, 14th Dist.”Map →

OrganizationDepartment of Correction“Manages correctional facilities and inmate property”Map →

OrganizationDepartment of Public Health“Maintains parentage registry”Map →

PersonRep. Steven J. Stafstrom“Cosponsor, 129th Dist.”Map →

OrganizationCommissioner of Administrative Services“Responsible for administrative functions of construction and planning”Map →

OrganizationChief Court Administrator“Heads administrative functions within the Judicial Branch”Map →

OrganizationJudiciary Committee“Committee sponsoring Senate Bill 475”Map →

OrganizationDepartment of Children and Families“Involved in child protection and family matters”Map →

PersonSen. John A. Kissel“Cosponsor, 7th Dist.”Map →

PersonGovernor“Signed the bill into law”Map →

Sources

Open source document

cga.ct.gov

Analysis Score

0–100

Significance85
How much this matters to a regular citizen
Controversy25
Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
Entertainment5
Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
Buzz30
Current news / social attention level

Publisher tools

What This Bill Does

Who It Affects

Key Facts

Frequently Asked Questions

News Coverage

Where This Stands

Procedural history

Version history

Lobbying Activity

Full breakdown

Sponsors

Discoveries

Expansion of Judicial Administrative Authority

Connected Entities

Sources

Analysis Score

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