Researcher: DC Page 1 4/12/21
OLR Bill Analysis
sHB 6034
AN ACT CONCERNING PROJECT LONGEVITY.
SUMMARY
This bill expands the “Project Longevity Initiative” to Waterbury.
Project Longevity is a comprehensive community-based initiative to
reduce gun violence in Connecticut’s cities. The bill does so through a
joint effort among community members, law enforcement, and social
service providers to focus an anti-violence message on highly active
street groups. The project is already in place in New Haven, Hartford,
and Bridgeport.
Existing law requires the Office of Policy and Management (OPM)
secretary to create a plan to implement the Project Longevity Initiative
statewide. The bill requires the plan to, at a minimum, consider how to
provide clients the project serves with access to courses and apprentice
programs provided by a college, university, community college, or the
Technical Education and Career System. By February 1, 2022, the
secretary must submit the plan to the Public Safety and Security
Committee.
EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon passage
IMPLEMENTATION
The bill requires the OPM secretary, to ensure or support
implementing the project in Waterbury, to:
1. provide planning and management assistance to municipal
officials in the city and
2. do anything necessary to apply for and accept federal funds
allotted or available to the state under any federal act or
program. 2021HB-06034-R000379-BA.DOCX
Researcher: DC Page 2 4/12/21
As under existing law for the other cities with the program, the
secretary may use state and federal funds as appropriated for the
project’s implementation.
To implement the program, the bill also requires the secretary, or
her designee, to consult with the following federal and state officials:
1. U.S. attorney for Connecticut,
2. chief state’s attorney,
3. Department of Correction commissioner, and
4. Court Support Services Division executive director.
The secretary or her designee must also consult with Waterbury’s
mayor and clergy members, nonprofit service providers, and
community leaders from the city.
COMMITTEE ACTION
Public Safety and Security Committee
Joint Favorable Substitute
Yea 24 Nay 0 (03/24/2021)