General Assembly Raised Bill No. 7216 January Session, 2017 LCO No. 4620 *_____HB07216JUD___040717____* Referred to Committee on JUDICIARY Introduced by: (JUD) General Assembly Raised Bill No. 7216 January Session, 2017 LCO No. 4620 *_____HB07216JUD___040717____* Referred to Committee on JUDICIARY Introduced by: (JUD) AN ACT CONCERNING FAMILY IMPACT STATEMENTS IN THE CASES OF DEFENDANTS WITH DEPENDENT CHILDREN. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened: Section 1. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2017) (a) Prior to sentencing a defendant convicted of a criminal offense for which a sentence of imprisonment may be imposed, the court shall permit the defendant to submit a family impact statement if the defendant is the parent or guardian of a minor child and has physical custody of the minor child. The court shall consider such family impact statement prior to pronouncing any sentence. (b) A family impact statement submitted by a defendant pursuant to subsection (a) of this section may address the impact on the minor child and other family members that would result if the defendant is sentenced to a term of imprisonment, including, but not limited to, the impact on the financial needs of the child and other family members, the relationship between the defendant and the child, the availability of community and family support for the child, the defendant's employment history and available employment opportunities for the defendant. Such family impact statement may also include the defendant's statement regarding the programs available to rehabilitate the defendant if the defendant is not sentenced to a term of imprisonment, the seriousness of the offense and the defendant's criminal history. This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following sections: Section 1 October 1, 2017 New section This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following sections: Section 1 October 1, 2017 New section JUD Joint Favorable JUD Joint Favorable