Connecticut House Bill HB05394

Connecticut 2020 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/27/20
• Refer: 2/27/20

Caption

An Act Permitting The Commissioner Of Correction To Accept Service Of Process On Behalf Of An Employee Of The Department Of Correction.

Impact

The new provisions establish a formal procedure for the acceptance of such legal documents, where an assigned employee of the Department of Correction will be responsible for receiving these processes. This means that the department will maintain a record of all incoming processes related to any individual lawsuits against its staff, which helps ensure proper documentation of such events. Additionally, it simplifies the procedure for those bringing lawsuits, as they will no longer need to serve the individual employees directly.

Summary

House Bill 05394 aims to amend existing statutes regarding the process by which civil actions and lawsuits involving the Department of Correction and its employees can be served. The central premise of the bill is to authorize the Commissioner of Correction to accept service of process on behalf of employees who are named as defendants in their individual capacities in civil lawsuits. This change is intended to streamline the legal process for incarcerated individuals when they file suits against correctional officers or staff members.

Contention

While the bill aims to enhance efficiency within the legal handling of civil suits involving correctional staff, potential points of contention may arise regarding the implications for accountability and the rights of incarcerated individuals. Critics might argue that through this amendment, there could be a perceived reduction in individual responsibility for the employees facing allegations, as the department acts on their behalf. This could lead to concerns over transparency and the handling of grievances by incarcerated persons against correctional officers, reminding stakeholders of the delicate balance between operational efficiency and accountability in state correction facilities.