LCO \\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-01019-R01- SB.docx 1 of 32 General Assembly Substitute Bill No. 1019 January Session, 2021 AN ACT CONCERNING TH E BOARD OF PARDONS A ND PAROLES, ERASURE OF CRIMINAL RECORDS FOR CERTAIN MISDEMEANOR AND FELONY OFFENSES, PROHIBITING DISCRIMINATION BASED ON ERASED CRIMINAL H ISTORY RECORD INFORM ATION AND CONCERNING THE RECOM MENDATIONS OF THE CO NNECTICUT SENTENCING COMMISSIO N WITH RESPECT TO MISDEMEANOR SENTENCES. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened: Section 1. Subsection (l) of section 54-124a of the general statutes is 1 repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2 2021): 3 (l) The chairperson and executive director shall establish: 4 (1) In consultation with the Department of Correction, a parole 5 orientation program for all parole-eligible inmates upon their transfer 6 to the custody of the Commissioner of Correction that will provide 7 general information on the laws and policies regarding parole release, 8 calculation of time-served standards, general conditions of release, 9 supervision practices, revocation and rescission policies, and 10 procedures for administrative review and panel hearings, and any other 11 information that the board deems relevant for preparing inmates for 12 parole; 13 Substitute Bill No. 1019 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-01019- R01-SB.docx } 2 of 32 (2) An incremental sanctions system for parole violations including, 14 but not limited to, reincarceration based on the type, severity and 15 frequency of the violation and specific periods of incarceration for 16 certain types of violations; [and] 17 (3) A formal training program for members of the board and parole 18 officers, to be completed annually by each member, that shall include, 19 but not be limited to, an overview of the criminal justice system, the 20 parole system including factors to be considered in granting parole, 21 victim rights and services, reentry strategies, risk assessment, case 22 management and mental health issues; [. Each member shall complete 23 such training annually.] and 24 (4) A formal training program to be completed annually by each 25 member of the board on the pardons process, including information 26 concerning collateral consequences a person with a criminal record may 27 face due to having a criminal record, such as when applying for housing 28 or employment. 29 Sec. 2. Section 54-130a of the general statutes is repealed and the 30 following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective January 1, 2023): 31 (a) Jurisdiction over the granting of, and the authority to grant, 32 commutations of punishment or releases, conditioned or absolute, in the 33 case of any person convicted of any offense against the state and 34 commutations from the penalty of death shall be vested in the Board of 35 Pardons and Paroles. 36 (b) The board shall have authority to grant pardons, conditioned, 37 provisional or absolute, or certificates of rehabilitation for any offense 38 against the state at any time after the imposition and before or after the 39 service of any sentence. 40 (c) The board may accept an application for a pardon three years after 41 an applicant's conviction of a misdemeanor or violation and five years 42 after an applicant's conviction of a felony, except that the board, upon a 43 finding of extraordinary circumstances, may accept an application for a 44 Substitute Bill No. 1019 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-01019- R01-SB.docx } 3 of 32 pardon prior to such dates. 45 (d) Whenever the board grants an absolute pardon to any person, the 46 board shall cause notification of such pardon to be made in writing to 47 the clerk of the court in which such person was convicted, or the Office 48 of the Chief Court Administrator if such person was convicted in the 49 Court of Common Pleas, the Circuit Court, a municipal court, or a trial 50 justice court. 51 (e) Whenever the board grants a provisional pardon or a certificate of 52 rehabilitation to any person, the board shall cause notification of such 53 provisional pardon or certificate of rehabilitation to be made in writing 54 to the clerk of the court in which such person was convicted. The 55 granting of a provisional pardon or a certificate of rehabilitation does 56 not entitle such person to erasure of the record of the conviction of the 57 offense or relieve such person from disclosing the existence of such 58 conviction as may be required. 59 (f) In the case of any person convicted of a violation for which a 60 sentence to a term of imprisonment may be imposed, the board shall 61 have authority to grant a pardon, conditioned, provisional or absolute, 62 or a certificate of rehabilitation in the same manner as in the case of any 63 person convicted of an offense against the state. 64 (g) The board shall not deny any application for a pardon, unless the 65 board provides a statement in writing to the applicant of the factors 66 considered when determining whether the applicant qualified for the 67 pardon and an explanation as to which factors were not satisfied. 68 Sec. 3. Section 54-142a of the general statutes is repealed and the 69 following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective January 1, 2023): 70 (a) Whenever in any criminal case, on or after October 1, 1969, the 71 accused, by a final judgment, is found not guilty of the charge or the 72 charge is dismissed, all police and court records and records of any 73 state's attorney pertaining to such charge shall be erased upon the 74 expiration of the time to file a writ of error or take an appeal, if an appeal 75 Substitute Bill No. 1019 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-01019- R01-SB.docx } 4 of 32 is not taken, or upon final determination of the appeal sustaining a 76 finding of not guilty or a dismissal, if an appeal is taken. Nothing in this 77 subsection shall require the erasure of any record pertaining to a charge 78 for which the defendant was found not guilty by reason of mental 79 disease or defect or guilty but not criminally responsible by reason of 80 mental disease or defect. 81 (b) Whenever in any criminal case prior to October 1, 1969, the 82 accused, by a final judgment, was found not guilty of the charge or the 83 charge was dismissed, all police and court records and records of the 84 state's or prosecuting attorney or the prosecuting grand juror pertaining 85 to such charge shall be erased by operation of law and the clerk or any 86 person charged with the retention and control of such records shall not 87 disclose to anyone their existence or any information pertaining to any 88 charge so erased; provided nothing in this subsection shall prohibit the 89 arrested person or any one of his heirs from filing a petition for erasure 90 with the court granting such not guilty judgment or dismissal, or, where 91 the matter had been before a municipal court, a trial justice, the Circuit 92 Court or the Court of Common Pleas [with the records center of the 93 Judicial Department] in the Superior Court where venue would exist for 94 criminal prosecution and thereupon all police and court records and 95 records of the state's attorney, prosecuting attorney or prosecuting 96 grand juror pertaining to such charge shall be erased. Nothing in this 97 subsection shall require the erasure of any record pertaining to a charge 98 for which the defendant was found not guilty by reason of mental 99 disease or defect. 100 (c) (1) Whenever any charge in a criminal case has been nolled in the 101 Superior Court, or in the Court of Common Pleas, if at least thirteen 102 months have elapsed since such nolle, all police and court records and 103 records of the state's or prosecuting attorney or the prosecuting grand 104 juror pertaining to such charge shall be erased, except that in cases of 105 nolles entered in the Superior Court, Court of Common Pleas, Circuit 106 Court, municipal court or by a justice of the peace prior to April 1, 1972, 107 such records shall be deemed erased by operation of law and the clerk 108 Substitute Bill No. 1019 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-01019- R01-SB.docx } 5 of 32 or the person charged with the retention and control of such records 109 shall not disclose to anyone their existence or any information 110 pertaining to any charge so erased, provided nothing in this subsection 111 shall prohibit the arrested person or any one of his heirs from filing a 112 petition to the court [or to the records center of the Judicial Department, 113 as the case may be,] to have such records erased, in which case such 114 records shall be erased. 115 (2) Whenever any charge in a criminal case has been continued at the 116 request of the prosecuting attorney, and a period of thirteen months has 117 elapsed since the granting of such continuance during which period 118 there has been no prosecution or other disposition of the matter, the 119 charge shall be nolled upon motion of the arrested person and such 120 erasure may thereafter be effected or a petition filed therefor, as the case 121 may be, as provided in this subsection for nolled cases. 122 (d) (1) Whenever prior to October 1, 1974, any person who has been 123 convicted of an offense in any court of this state has received an absolute 124 pardon for such offense, such person or any one of his heirs may, at any 125 time subsequent to such pardon, file a petition with the [superior court] 126 Superior Court at the location in which such conviction was effected, or 127 with the [superior court] Superior Court at the location having custody 128 of the records of such conviction or [with the records center of the 129 Judicial Department] if such conviction was in the Court of Common 130 Pleas, Circuit Court, municipal court or by a trial justice court, in the 131 Superior Court where venue would exist for criminal prosecution, for 132 an order of erasure, and the Superior Court [or records center of the 133 Judicial Department] shall direct all police and court records and 134 records of the state's or prosecuting attorney pertaining to such [case to] 135 offense be erased. 136 (2) Whenever such absolute pardon was received on or after October 137 1, 1974, such records shall be erased. 138 (e) (1) Except as provided in subdivision (2) of this subsection, 139 whenever any person has been convicted in any court of this state of a 140 Substitute Bill No. 1019 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-01019- R01-SB.docx } 6 of 32 classified or unclassified misdemeanor offense, or a class C, D or E 141 felony or an unclassified felony offense carrying a term of imprisonment 142 of not more than ten years, any police or court record and record of the 143 state's or prosecuting attorney or the prosecuting grand juror pertaining 144 to such conviction, or any record pertaining to court obligations arising 145 from such conviction held by the Board of Pardons and Paroles shall be 146 erased as follows: (A) For any classified or unclassified misdemeanor 147 offense, such records shall be erased seven years from the date on which 148 the court entered the convicted person's most recent judgment of 149 conviction (i) by operation of law, if such offense occurred on or after 150 January 1, 2000, or (ii) upon the filing of a petition on a form prescribed 151 by the Office of the Chief Court Administrator, if such offense occurred 152 prior to January 1, 2000; (B) for any class D or E felony or an unclassified 153 felony offense carrying a term of imprisonment of not more than five 154 years, such records shall be erased ten years from the date on which the 155 court entered the convicted person's most recent judgment of conviction 156 (i) by operation of law, if such offense occurred on or after January 1, 157 2000, or (ii) upon the filing of a petition on a form prescribed by the 158 Office of the Chief Court Administrator, if such offense occurred prior 159 to January 1, 2000; and (C) for any class C felony or an unclassified 160 felony offense carrying a term of imprisonment of not more than ten 161 years, but more than five years, such records shall be erased fifteen years 162 from the date on which the court entered the convicted person's most 163 recent judgment of conviction (i) by operation of law, if such offense 164 occurred on or after January 1, 2000, or (ii) upon the filing of a petition 165 on a form prescribed by the Office of the Chief Court Administrator, if 166 such offense occurred prior to January 1, 2000. 167 (2) Convictions for the following offenses shall not be eligible for 168 erasure pursuant to this subsection: 169 (A) Any conviction designated as a family violence crime, as defined 170 in section 46b-38a; or 171 (B) Any offense that is a nonviolent sexual offense or a sexually 172 violent offense, each as defined in section 54-250. 173 Substitute Bill No. 1019 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-01019- R01-SB.docx } 7 of 32 (3) If a person has been convicted of a violation of subsection (c) of 174 section 21a-279 prior to October 1, 2015, such conviction shall not be 175 considered as a most recent offense when evaluating whether a 176 sufficient period of time has elapsed for an offense to qualify for erasure 177 pursuant to this subsection. 178 (4) Nothing in this subsection shall limit any other procedure for 179 erasure of criminal history record information, as defined in section 54-180 142g, as amended by this act, or prohibit a person from participating in 181 any such procedure, even if such person's criminal history record 182 information has been erased pursuant to this section. 183 (5) Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to require the 184 Department of Motor Vehicles to erase criminal history record 185 information on an operator's driving record. When applicable, the 186 Department of Motor Vehicles shall make such criminal history record 187 information available through the Commercial Driver's License 188 Information System. 189 (f) (1) Whenever a person was convicted of one or more 190 misdemeanors committed while such person was under eighteen years 191 of age, and the offense or offenses occurred on or after January 1, 2000, 192 and before July 1, 2012, all police and court records and records of the 193 state's or prosecuting attorney shall be (A) erased, if such record is in an 194 electronic record other than a scanned copy of a physical document, or 195 (B) deemed erased by operation of law if such record is a scanned copy 196 of a physical document or another record that is not electronic. This 197 subdivision shall not apply to a motor vehicle offense, a violation under 198 title 14 or a violation of section 51-164r. The clerk of the court or any law 199 enforcement agency having information contained in such erased 200 records shall not disclose to anyone, except the subject of the record, 201 upon submission pursuant to guidelines prescribed by the Office of the 202 Chief Court Administrator of satisfactory proof of the subject's identity, 203 information pertaining to any charge erased under this subdivision and 204 such clerk shall forward a notice of such erasure to any law enforcement 205 agency and the state's or prosecuting attorney to which he or she knows 206 Substitute Bill No. 1019 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-01019- R01-SB.docx } 8 of 32 information concerning the arrest has been disseminated directing that 207 all law enforcement and records of the state's or prosecuting attorney 208 pertaining to such case to be so erased or so deemed erased by operation 209 of law. 210 (2) Whenever a person was convicted of one or more misdemeanors 211 committed while such person was under eighteen years of age, and the 212 offense or offenses occurred before January 1, 2000, such person may file 213 a petition with the Superior Court at the location in which such 214 conviction was effected for an order of erasure, and the Superior Court 215 shall direct all police and court records and records of the state's or 216 prosecuting attorney pertaining to such case to be erased. 217 (3) Notwithstanding subsection (i) of this section, the provisions of 218 this subsection shall not apply in cases in which there has been a 219 conviction for any charge for which erasure would not apply arising 220 from the same information as any erased conviction. 221 [(e)] (g) (1) The clerk of the court [or any person charged with 222 retention and control of such records in the records center of the Judicial 223 Department] or any law enforcement agency having information 224 contained in such erased records shall not disclose to anyone, except the 225 subject of the record, upon submission pursuant to guidelines 226 prescribed by the Office of the Chief Court Administrator of satisfactory 227 proof of the subject's identity, information pertaining to any charge 228 erased under any provision of this section and such clerk [or person 229 charged with the retention and control of such records] shall forward a 230 notice of such erasure to any law enforcement agency to which he 231 knows information concerning the arrest has been disseminated and 232 such disseminated information shall be erased from the records of such 233 law enforcement agency. Such clerk [or such person, as the case may be,] 234 shall provide adequate security measures to safeguard against 235 unauthorized access to or dissemination of such records or upon the 236 request of the accused cause the actual physical destruction of such 237 records, except that such clerk [or such person] shall not cause the actual 238 physical destruction of such records until three years have elapsed from 239 Substitute Bill No. 1019 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-01019- R01-SB.docx } 9 of 32 the date of the final disposition of the criminal case to which such 240 records pertain. 241 [(2) No fee shall be charged in any court with respect to any petition 242 under this section.] 243 [(3)] (2) Any person who shall have been the subject of such an 244 erasure shall be deemed to have never been arrested within the meaning 245 of the general statutes with respect to the proceedings so erased and 246 may so swear under oath. 247 [(f)] (h) Upon motion properly brought, the court or a judge of such 248 court, if such court is not in session, shall order disclosure of such 249 records (1) to a defendant in an action for false arrest arising out of the 250 proceedings so erased, or (2) to the prosecuting attorney and defense 251 counsel in connection with any perjury charges which the prosecutor 252 alleges may have arisen from the testimony elicited during the trial, or 253 any false statement charges, or any proceeding held pursuant to section 254 53a-40b, or (3) counsel for the petitioner and the respondent in 255 connection with any habeas corpus or other collateral civil action in 256 which evidence pertaining to a nolled or dismissed criminal charge may 257 become relevant. Such disclosure of such records is subject also to any 258 records destruction program pursuant to which the records may have 259 been destroyed. The jury charge in connection with erased offenses may 260 be ordered by the judge for use by the judiciary, provided the names of 261 the accused and the witnesses are omitted therefrom. 262 [(g)] (i) The provisions of this section shall not apply to any police or 263 court records or the records of any state's attorney or prosecuting 264 attorney with respect to any information or indictment containing more 265 than one count (1) while the criminal case is pending, or (2) when the 266 criminal case is disposed of unless and until all counts are entitled to 267 erasure in accordance with the provisions of this section, except that 268 when the criminal case is disposed of, electronic records or portions of 269 electronic records released to the public that reference a charge that 270 would otherwise be entitled to erasure under this section shall be erased 271 Substitute Bill No. 1019 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-01019- R01-SB.docx } 10 of 32 in accordance with the provisions of this section. Nothing in this section 272 shall require the erasure of any information contained in the registry of 273 protective orders established pursuant to section 51-5c. For the purposes 274 of this subsection, "electronic record" means any police or court record 275 or the record of any state's attorney or prosecuting attorney that is an 276 electronic record, as defined in section 1-267, or a computer printout. 277 (j) No fee shall be charged in any court with respect to any petition 278 under this section. 279 [(h)] (k) For the purposes of this section, "court records" shall not 280 include a record or transcript of the proceedings made or prepared by 281 an official court reporter, assistant court reporter or monitor. 282 Sec. 4. Section 54-142d of the general statutes is repealed and the 283 following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective January 1, 2023): 284 Whenever any person has been convicted of an offense in any court 285 in this state and such offense has been decriminalized subsequent to the 286 date of such conviction, such person may file a petition with the superior 287 court at the location in which such conviction was effected, or with the 288 superior court at the location having custody of the records of such 289 conviction [or with the records center of the Judicial Department] if such 290 conviction was in the Court of Common Pleas, Circuit Court, municipal 291 court or by a trial justice, in the Superior Court where venue would 292 currently exist for criminal prosecution, for an order of erasure, and the 293 Superior Court [or records center of the Judicial Department] shall 294 immediately direct all police and court records and records of the state's 295 or prosecuting attorney pertaining to such [case] offense to be physically 296 destroyed. 297 Sec. 5. (NEW) (Effective January 1, 2023) (a) The Department of 298 Emergency Services and Public Protection, in consultation with the 299 Judicial Branch and the Criminal Justice Information System Governing 300 Board established pursuant to section 54-142q of the general statutes, 301 shall develop and implement automated processes for erasure pursuant 302 Substitute Bill No. 1019 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-01019- R01-SB.docx } 11 of 32 to section 54-142a of the general statutes, as amended by this act. 303 (b) The department may, within available appropriations, 304 disseminate information, including posting information on its Internet 305 web site, regarding records that are subject to erasure under the 306 provisions of this section. 307 (c) Nothing in this section shall be construed to require the 308 destruction of paper records. 309 Sec. 6. Section 54-142e of the general statutes is repealed and the 310 following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective January 1, 2023): 311 (a) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection [(e)] (g) of section 312 54-142a, as amended by this act, and section 54-142c, with respect to any 313 person, including, but not limited to, a consumer reporting agency as 314 defined in subsection (i) of section 31-51i, as amended by this act, or a 315 background screening provider or similar data-based service or 316 company, that purchases criminal matters of public record, as defined 317 in said subsection (i), from the Judicial Department or any criminal 318 justice agency pursuant to subsection (b) of section 54-142g, as amended 319 by this act, the department shall make available to such person 320 information concerning such criminal matters of public record that have 321 been erased pursuant to section 54-142a, as amended by this act. Such 322 information may include docket numbers or other information that 323 permits the person to identify and permanently delete records that have 324 been erased pursuant to section 54-142a, as amended by this act. 325 (b) Each person, including, but not limited to, a consumer reporting 326 agency or background screening provider or similar data-based service 327 or company, that has purchased records of criminal matters of public 328 record from the Judicial Department or any criminal justice agency 329 shall, prior to disclosing such records, (1) purchase from the Judicial 330 Department or such criminal justice agency, on a monthly basis or on 331 such other schedule as the Judicial Department or such criminal justice 332 agency may establish, any updated criminal matters of public record or 333 Substitute Bill No. 1019 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-01019- R01-SB.docx } 12 of 32 information available for the purpose of complying with this section, 334 and (2) update its records of criminal matters of public record to 335 permanently delete such erased records not later than thirty calendar 336 days after receipt of information on the erasure of criminal records 337 pursuant to section 54-142a, as amended by this act. Such person shall 338 not further disclose such erased records. 339 Sec. 7. Subsection (c) of section 29-11 of the general statutes is 340 repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 341 2021): 342 (c) (1) The Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public 343 Protection shall charge the following fees for the service indicated: [(1)] 344 (A) Name search, thirty-six dollars; [(2)] (B) fingerprint search, seventy-345 five dollars; [(3)] (C) personal record search, seventy-five dollars; [(4)] 346 (D) letters of good conduct search, seventy-five dollars; [(5)] (E) bar 347 association search, seventy-five dollars; [(6)] (F) fingerprinting, fifteen 348 dollars; [(7)] and (G) criminal history record information search, 349 seventy-five dollars. Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, 350 the provisions of this subsection shall not apply to any federal, state or 351 municipal agency. 352 (2) The commissioner may waive fees imposed under subparagraph 353 (G) of subdivision (1) of this subsection for any applicant requesting a 354 criminal history record information search for the purpose of applying 355 for a pardon authorized pursuant to section 54-124a, as amended by this 356 act, provided such applicant completes a form prescribed by the 357 Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection representing 358 such person's indigency. 359 Sec. 8. Subsection (d) of section 54-142k of the general statutes is 360 repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective January 361 1, 2023): 362 (d) Nonconviction information shall be available to the subject of the 363 information and to the subject's attorney pursuant to this subsection and 364 Substitute Bill No. 1019 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-01019- R01-SB.docx } 13 of 32 subsection (e) of this section. Any person shall, upon satisfactory proof 365 of the person's identity, be entitled to inspect, for purposes of 366 verification and correction, any nonconviction information relating to 367 the person and upon the person's request shall be given a computer 368 printout or photocopy of such information for which a reasonable fee 369 may be charged, provided no erased record may be released except as 370 provided in subsection [(f)] (h) of section 54-142a, as amended by this 371 act. Before releasing any exact reproductions of nonconviction 372 information to the subject of the information, the agency holding such 373 information may remove all personal identifying information from such 374 reproductions. 375 Sec. 9. (NEW) (Effective January 1, 2023) For purposes of this section, 376 sections 11, 12 and 16 to 24, inclusive, of this act and section 26 of this 377 act, sections 8-265c and 8-315 of the general statutes, as amended by this 378 act, subsection (b) of section 10a-6 of the general statutes, as amended 379 by this act, and sections 31-51i, 38a-358, 38a-447, 46a-74, 46a-79, 46a-80 380 and 46a-81 of the general statutes, as amended by this act: 381 (1) "Commission" means the Commission on Human Rights and 382 Opportunities created by section 46a-52 of the general statutes; 383 (2) "Criminal history record information" means court records and 384 information obtained from the Judicial Department or any criminal 385 justice agency relating to arrests, releases, detentions, indictments, 386 informations or other formal criminal charges or any events and 387 outcomes arising from those arrests, releases, detentions, including 388 pleas, trials, sentences, appeals, incarcerations, correctional supervision, 389 paroles and releases, outstanding judgments and any other conviction 390 information, as defined in section 54-142g of the general statutes, as 391 amended by this act; 392 (3) "Employer" includes the state and all political subdivisions of the 393 state and means any person or employer with one or more persons in 394 such person's or employer's employ; 395 Substitute Bill No. 1019 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-01019- R01-SB.docx } 14 of 32 (4) "Erased criminal history record information" means (A) criminal 396 history record information that has been erased pursuant to section 54-397 142a of the general statutes, as amended by this act, or section 54-76o of 398 the general statutes, or any other provision of the general statutes or 399 other operation of law; (B) information relating to persons granted 400 youthful offender status pursuant to section 46b-146 of the general 401 statutes; and (C) continuances of a criminal case that are more than 402 thirteen months old; and 403 (5) "Place of public accommodation, resort or amusement" means any 404 establishment that caters or offers its services or facilities or goods to the 405 general public, including, but not limited to, any commercial property 406 or building lot on which it is intended that a commercial building will 407 be constructed or offered for sale or rent. 408 Sec. 10. Subdivisions (7) and (8) of section 46a-51 of the general 409 statutes are repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof 410 (Effective January 1, 2023): 411 (7) "Discriminatory employment practice" means any discriminatory 412 practice specified in subsection (b), (d), (e) or (f) of section 31-51i, as 413 amended by this act, or section 46a-60 or 46a-81c; 414 (8) "Discriminatory practice" means a violation of section 4a-60, 4a-415 60a, 4a-60g, 31-40y, subsection (b) of section 31-51i, as amended by this 416 act, subsection (d), (e) or (f) of section 31-51i, as amended by this act, 417 subparagraph (C) of subdivision (15) of section 46a-54, subdivisions (16) 418 and (17) of section 46a-54, section 46a-58, 46a-59, 46a-60, 46a-64, 46a-64c, 419 46a-66, 46a-68, 46a-68c to 46a-68f, inclusive, or 46a-70 to 46a-78, 420 inclusive, subsection (a) of section 46a-80, as amended by this act, or 421 sections 46a-81b to 46a-81o, inclusive, and sections 11, 12, 16, 17, 23, 24 422 and section 26 of this act; 423 Sec. 11. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2021) On and after January 1, 2023, 424 it shall be a discriminatory practice for any person to subject, or cause to 425 be subjected, any other person to the deprivation of any rights, 426 Substitute Bill No. 1019 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-01019- R01-SB.docx } 15 of 32 privileges or immunities, secured or protected by the Constitution or 427 laws of this state or of the United States, on account of a person's erased 428 criminal history record information. 429 Sec. 12. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2021) (a) On and after January 1, 430 2023, it shall be a discriminatory practice: 431 (1) To refuse to sell or rent after the making of a bona fide offer, or to 432 refuse to negotiate for the sale or rental of, or otherwise make 433 unavailable or deny, a dwelling to any person on the basis of the erased 434 criminal history record information of (A) such buyer or renter, (B) a 435 person residing in or intending to reside in such dwelling after it is so 436 sold, rented or made available, or (C) any person associated with such 437 buyer or renter; 438 (2) To discriminate against any person in the terms, conditions or 439 privileges of the sale or rental of a dwelling, or in the provision of 440 services or facilities in connection therewith, on the basis of the erased 441 criminal history record information of (A) such buyer or renter, (B) a 442 person residing in or intending to reside in such dwelling after it is so 443 sold, rented or made available, or (C) any person associated with such 444 buyer or renter; 445 (3) To make, print or publish, or cause to be made, printed or 446 published any notice, statement or advertisement, with respect to the 447 sale or rental of a dwelling that indicates any preference, limitation or 448 discrimination, or to intend to make any such preference, limitation or 449 discrimination, based on the erased criminal history record information 450 of (A) a potential buyer or renter, (B) a person intending to reside in such 451 dwelling after it is sold, rented or made available, or (C) any person 452 associated with such potential buyer or renter; 453 (4) To represent to any person that any dwelling is not available for 454 inspection, sale or rental when such dwelling is in fact so available, on 455 the basis of the erased criminal history record information of (A) a 456 potential buyer or renter, (B) a person intending to reside in such 457 Substitute Bill No. 1019 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-01019- R01-SB.docx } 16 of 32 dwelling after it is so sold, rented or made available, or (C) any person 458 associated with such potential buyer or renter; 459 (5) For profit, to induce or attempt to induce any person to sell or rent 460 any dwelling by representations regarding the entry or prospective 461 entry into the neighborhood of a person or persons with erased criminal 462 history record information; 463 (6) For any person or other entity engaging in residential real estate-464 related transactions to discriminate against any person in making 465 available such a transaction, or in the terms or conditions of such a 466 transaction, on the basis of the erased criminal history record 467 information of (A) the other party in the transaction, (B) a person 468 residing in or intending to reside in a dwelling with such other party, or 469 (C) any person associated with such other party; 470 (7) To deny any person access to or membership or participation in 471 any multiple-listing service, real estate brokers' organization or other 472 service, organization or facility relating to the business of selling or 473 renting dwellings, or to discriminate against that person in the terms or 474 conditions of such access, membership or participation, on account of 475 that person's erased criminal history record information; or 476 (8) To coerce, intimidate, threaten or interfere with any person in the 477 exercise or enjoyment of, or on account of that person having exercised 478 or enjoyed, or on account of that person having aided or encouraged 479 any other person in the exercise or enjoyment of, any right granted or 480 protected by this section. 481 (b) The provisions of this section shall not apply to (1) the rental of a 482 room or rooms in a unit in a dwelling if the owner actually maintains 483 and occupies part of such unit as the owner's residence, or (2) a unit in 484 a dwelling containing not more than four units if the owner actually 485 maintains and occupies one of such other units as the owner's residence. 486 (c) Nothing in this section limits the applicability of any reasonable 487 state statute or municipal ordinance restricting the maximum number 488 Substitute Bill No. 1019 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-01019- R01-SB.docx } 17 of 32 of persons permitted to occupy a dwelling. 489 (d) Nothing in this section prohibits a person engaged in the business 490 of furnishing appraisals of real property to take into consideration 491 factors other than a person's erased criminal history record. 492 Sec. 13. Section 8-265c of the general statutes is repealed and the 493 following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective January 1, 2023): 494 The authority shall require that occupancy of all housing financed or 495 otherwise assisted under this chapter be open to all persons regardless 496 of race, creed, color, national origin or ancestry, sex or gender identity 497 or expression or erased criminal history record information, as defined 498 in section 9 of this act, and that the contractors and subcontractors 499 engaged in the construction or rehabilitation of such housing shall take 500 affirmative action to provide equal opportunity for employment 501 without discrimination as to race, creed, color, national origin or 502 ancestry, sex, [or] gender identity or expression or erased criminal 503 history record information. 504 Sec. 14. Section 8-315 of the general statutes is repealed and the 505 following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective January 1, 2023): 506 The municipality shall take all necessary steps to insure that 507 occupancy of all housing financed or otherwise assisted pursuant to this 508 chapter be open to all persons regardless of race, creed, color, national 509 origin or ancestry, sex, gender identity or expression, age, [or] physical 510 disability or erased criminal history record information, as defined in 511 section 9 of this act. 512 Sec. 15. Section 31-51i of the general statutes is repealed and the 513 following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective January 1, 2023): 514 (a) For the purposes of this section, "employer" means [any person 515 engaged in business who has one or more employees, including the state 516 or any political subdivision of the state] employer, as defined in section 517 9 of this act. 518 Substitute Bill No. 1019 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-01019- R01-SB.docx } 18 of 32 (b) No employer shall inquire about a prospective employee's prior 519 arrests, criminal charges or convictions on an initial employment 520 application, unless (1) the employer is required to do so by an applicable 521 state or federal law, or (2) a security or fidelity bond or an equivalent 522 bond is required for the position for which the prospective employee is 523 seeking employment. 524 (c) No employer or employer's agent, representative or designee may 525 require an employee or prospective employee to disclose the existence 526 of [any arrest, criminal charge or conviction, the records of which have 527 been erased pursuant to section 46b-146, 54-76o or 54-142a] erased 528 criminal history record information, as defined in section 9 of this act. 529 (d) An employment application form that contains any question 530 concerning the criminal history of the applicant shall contain a notice, in 531 clear and conspicuous language: (1) That the applicant is not required 532 to disclose the existence of any [arrest, criminal charge or conviction, the 533 records of which have been erased pursuant to section 46b-146, 54-76o 534 or 54-142a] erased criminal history record information, (2) that [criminal 535 records subject to erasure pursuant to section 46b-146, 54-76o or 54-142a] 536 erased criminal history record information are records pertaining to a 537 finding of delinquency or that a child was a member of a family with 538 service needs, an adjudication as a youthful offender, a criminal charge 539 that has been dismissed or nolled, a criminal charge for which the 540 person has been found not guilty or a conviction for which the person 541 received an absolute pardon or criminal records that are erased 542 pursuant to statute or by other operation of law, and (3) that any person 543 [whose criminal records have been erased pursuant to section 46b-146, 544 54-76o or 54-142a] with erased criminal history record information shall 545 be deemed to have never been arrested within the meaning of the 546 general statutes with respect to the proceedings so erased and may so 547 swear under oath. 548 (e) No employer or employer's agent, representative or designee shall 549 deny employment to a prospective employee solely on the basis that the 550 prospective employee [had a prior arrest, criminal charge or conviction, 551 Substitute Bill No. 1019 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-01019- R01-SB.docx } 19 of 32 the records of which have been erased pursuant to section 46b-146, 54-552 76o or 54-142a] has erased criminal history record information or that 553 the prospective employee had a prior conviction for which the 554 prospective employee has received a provisional pardon or certificate of 555 rehabilitation pursuant to section 54-130a, as amended by this act, or a 556 certificate of rehabilitation pursuant to section 54-108f. 557 (f) No employer or employer's agent, representative or designee shall 558 discharge, or cause to be discharged, or in any manner discriminate 559 against, any employee solely on the basis that the employee [had, prior 560 to being employed by such employer, an arrest, criminal charge or 561 conviction, the records of which have been erased pursuant to section 562 46b-146, 54-76o or 54-142a] has erased criminal history record 563 information or that the employee had, prior to being employed by such 564 employer, a prior conviction for which the employee has received a 565 provisional pardon or certificate of rehabilitation pursuant to section 54-566 130a, as amended by this act, or a certificate of rehabilitation pursuant 567 to section 54-108f. 568 (g) The portion of an employment application form that contains 569 information concerning the criminal history record of an applicant or 570 employee shall only be available to the members of the personnel 571 department of the company, firm or corporation or, if the company, firm 572 or corporation does not have a personnel department, the person in 573 charge of employment, and to any employee or member of the 574 company, firm or corporation, or an agent of such employee or member, 575 involved in the interviewing of the applicant. 576 (h) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (g) of this section, 577 the portion of an employment application form that contains 578 information concerning the criminal history record of an applicant or 579 employee may be made available as necessary to persons other than 580 those specified in said subsection (g) by: 581 (1) A broker-dealer or investment adviser registered under chapter 582 672a in connection with (A) the possible or actual filing of, or the 583 Substitute Bill No. 1019 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-01019- R01-SB.docx } 20 of 32 collection or retention of information contained in, a form U-4 Uniform 584 Application for Securities Industry Registration or Transfer, (B) the 585 compliance responsibilities of such broker-dealer or investment adviser 586 under state or federal law, or (C) the applicable rules of self-regulatory 587 organizations promulgated in accordance with federal law; 588 (2) An insured depository institution in connection with (A) the 589 management of risks related to safety and soundness, security or 590 privacy of such institution, (B) any waiver that may possibly or actually 591 be sought by such institution pursuant to section 19 of the Federal 592 Deposit Insurance Act, 12 USC 1829(a), (C) the possible or actual 593 obtaining by such institution of any security or fidelity bond, or (D) the 594 compliance responsibilities of such institution under state or federal 595 law; and 596 (3) An insurance producer licensed under chapter 701a in connection 597 with (A) the management of risks related to security or privacy of such 598 insurance producer, or (B) the compliance responsibilities of such 599 insurance producer under state or federal law. 600 (i) (1) For the purposes of this subsection: (A) "Consumer reporting 601 agency" means any person who regularly engages, in whole or in part, 602 in the practice of assembling or preparing consumer reports for a fee, 603 which reports compile and report items of information on consumers 604 that are matters of public record and are likely to have an adverse effect 605 on a consumer's ability to obtain employment, but does not include any 606 public agency; (B) "consumer report" means any written, oral or other 607 communication of information bearing on an individual's credit 608 worthiness, credit standing, credit capacity, character, general 609 reputation, personal characteristics or mode of living; and (C) "criminal 610 matters of public record" means information obtained from the Judicial 611 Department or any criminal justice agency, as defined in section 54-612 142g, as amended by this act, relating to arrests, indictments, 613 convictions, outstanding judgments [,] and any other conviction 614 information, as defined in section 54-142g, as amended by this act. 615 Substitute Bill No. 1019 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-01019- R01-SB.docx } 21 of 32 (2) Each consumer reporting agency that issues a consumer report 616 that is used or is expected to be used for employment purposes and that 617 includes in such report criminal matters of public record concerning the 618 consumer shall: 619 (A) At the time the consumer reporting agency issues such consumer 620 report to a person other than the consumer who is the subject of the 621 report, provide the consumer who is the subject of the consumer report 622 (i) notice that the consumer reporting agency is reporting criminal 623 matters of public record, and (ii) the name and address of the person to 624 whom such consumer report is being issued; 625 (B) Maintain procedures designed to ensure that any criminal matter 626 of public record reported is complete and up-to-date as of the date the 627 consumer report is issued, which procedures shall, at a minimum, 628 conform to the requirements set forth in section 54-142e, as amended by 629 this act. 630 (3) This subsection shall not apply in the case of an agency or 631 department of the United States government seeking to obtain and use 632 a consumer report for employment purposes if the head of the agency 633 or department makes a written finding pursuant to 15 USC 634 1681b(b)(4)(A). 635 (j) An employee or prospective employee may file a complaint with 636 the Labor Commissioner alleging an employer's violation of subsection 637 (a), (c), (g), (h) or (i) of this section. For any alleged violation by an 638 employer of subsection (b), (d), (e) or (f) of this section, an employee or 639 prospective employee may file a complaint with the Commission on 640 Human Rights and Opportunities pursuant to section 46a-82 or may 641 bring an action in the Superior Court against the employer for violating 642 this section for declaratory or injunctive relief, damages or any other 643 remedy available under law, at the sole election of the employee or 644 prospective employee. 645 Sec. 16. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2021) On and after January 1, 2023, 646 Substitute Bill No. 1019 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-01019- R01-SB.docx } 22 of 32 it shall be a discriminatory practice for: (1) An employer or employer's 647 agent, representative or designee to discriminate against that person in 648 compensation or in terms, conditions or privileges of employment on 649 the basis of that person's erased criminal history record information, (2) 650 any employment agency to fail or refuse to classify properly or refer for 651 employment or otherwise to discriminate against any person on the 652 basis of that person's erased criminal history record information, (3) a 653 labor organization, on the basis of the erased criminal history record 654 information of any person, to exclude from full membership rights or to 655 expel from its membership that person or to discriminate in any way 656 against any of its members or against any employer or any individual 657 employed by an employer, or (4) any person, employer, employment 658 agency or labor organization, to advertise employment opportunities in 659 such a manner as to restrict such employment so as to discriminate 660 against persons on the basis of their erased criminal history record 661 information. 662 Sec. 17. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2021) (a) On and after January 1, 663 2023, it shall be a discriminatory practice for any association, board or 664 other organization the principal purpose of which is the furtherance of 665 the professional or occupational interests of its members, whose 666 profession, trade or occupation requires a state license, to refuse to 667 accept a person as a member of such association, board or organization 668 solely on the basis of that person's erased criminal history record 669 information. 670 (b) Any association, board or other organization that violates the 671 provisions of this section shall be fined not less than one hundred 672 dollars or more than five hundred dollars. 673 Sec. 18. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2021) On and after January 1, 2023, 674 state officials and supervisory personnel shall recruit, appoint, assign, 675 train, evaluate and promote state personnel on the basis of merit and 676 qualifications, without regard for erased criminal history record 677 information. 678 Substitute Bill No. 1019 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-01019- R01-SB.docx } 23 of 32 Sec. 19. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2021) On and after January 1, 2023, 679 no state department, board or agency may grant, deny or revoke the 680 license or charter of any person on the basis of that person's erased 681 criminal history record information, except that the Department of 682 Motor Vehicles may consider erased criminal history record 683 information to the extent required by 49 CFR 384, as amended from time 684 to time. 685 Sec. 20. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2021) On and after January 1, 2023, 686 all educational, counseling and vocational guidance programs and all 687 apprenticeship and on-the-job training programs of state agencies, or in 688 which state agencies participate, shall be open to all qualified persons, 689 without regard to a person's erased criminal history record information. 690 Sec. 21. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2021) On and after January 1, 2023, 691 erased criminal history record information shall not be considered as a 692 limiting factor in state-administered programs involving the 693 distribution of funds to qualify applicants for benefits authorized by 694 law. 695 Sec. 22. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2021) On and after January 1, 2023, 696 services of every state agency shall be performed without 697 discrimination on the basis of erased criminal history record 698 information. 699 Sec. 23. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2021) On and after January 1, 2023, 700 it shall be a discriminatory practice to: 701 (1) Deny any person within the jurisdiction of this state full and equal 702 accommodations in any place of public accommodation, resort or 703 amusement on the basis of that person's erased criminal history record 704 information, subject only to the conditions and limitations established 705 by law and applicable alike to all persons; or 706 (2) Discriminate, segregate or separate on account of erased criminal 707 history record information. 708 Substitute Bill No. 1019 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-01019- R01-SB.docx } 24 of 32 Sec. 24. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2021) On and after January 1, 2023, 709 it shall be a discriminatory practice for the state system of higher 710 education to deny a person the opportunity for higher education on the 711 basis of erased criminal history record information. 712 Sec. 25. Subsection (b) of section 10a-6 of the general statutes is 713 repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective January 714 1, 2023): 715 (b) Within the limits of authorized expenditures, the policies of the 716 state system of higher education shall be consistent with (1) the 717 following goals: (A) To ensure that no qualified person be denied the 718 opportunity for higher education on the basis of age, sex, gender 719 identity or expression, ethnic background or social, physical or 720 economic condition, or erased criminal history record information, as 721 defined in section 9 of this act, (B) to protect academic freedom, (C) to 722 provide opportunities for education and training related to the 723 economic, cultural and educational development of the state, (D) to 724 assure the fullest possible use of available resources in public and 725 private institutions of higher education, (E) to maintain standards of 726 quality ensuring a position of national leadership for state institutions 727 of higher education, (F) to apply the resources of higher education to the 728 problems of society, and (G) to foster flexibility in the policies and 729 institutions of higher education to enable the system to respond to 730 changes in the economy, society, technology and student interests; and 731 (2) the goals for higher education in the state identified in section 10a-732 11c. Said board shall review recent studies of the need for higher 733 education services, with special attention to those completed pursuant 734 to legislative action, and to meet such needs shall initiate additional 735 programs or services through one or more of the constituent units. 736 Sec. 26. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2021) On and after January 1, 2023, 737 it shall be a discriminatory practice for any creditor to discriminate on 738 the basis of erased criminal record history information, against any 739 person eighteen years of age or over in any credit transaction. 740 Substitute Bill No. 1019 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-01019- R01-SB.docx } 25 of 32 Sec. 27. Section 38a-358 of the general statutes is repealed and the 741 following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective January 1, 2023): 742 The declination, cancellation or nonrenewal of a policy for private 743 passenger nonfleet automobile insurance is prohibited if the declination, 744 cancellation or nonrenewal is based: (1) On the race, religion, nationality 745 or ethnicity of the applicant or named insured; (2) solely on the lawful 746 occupation or profession of the applicant or named insured, except that 747 this provision shall not apply to any insurer which limits its market to 748 one lawful occupation or profession or to several related lawful 749 occupations or professions; (3) on the principal location of the insured 750 motor vehicle unless such decision is for a business purpose which is 751 not a mere pretext for unfair discrimination; (4) solely on the age, sex, 752 gender identity or expression, [or] marital status or erased criminal 753 history record information, as defined in section 9 of this act, of an 754 applicant or an insured, except that this subdivision shall not apply to 755 an insurer in an insurer group if one or more other insurers in the group 756 would not decline an application for essentially similar coverage based 757 upon such reasons; (5) on the fact that the applicant or named insured 758 previously obtained insurance coverage through a residual market; (6) 759 on the fact that another insurer previously declined to insure the 760 applicant or terminated an existing policy in which the applicant was 761 the named insured; (7) the first or second accident within the current 762 experience period in relation to which the applicant or insured was not 763 convicted of a moving traffic violation and was not at fault; or (8) solely 764 on information contained in an insured's or applicant's credit history or 765 credit rating or solely on an applicant's lack of credit history. For the 766 purposes of subdivision (8) of this section, an insurer shall not be 767 deemed to have declined, cancelled or nonrenewed a policy if coverage 768 is available through an affiliated insurer. 769 Sec. 28. Section 38a-447 of the general statutes is repealed and the 770 following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective January 1, 2023): 771 No life insurance company doing business in this state may: (1) Make 772 any distinction or discrimination between persons on the basis of race 773 Substitute Bill No. 1019 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-01019- R01-SB.docx } 26 of 32 or erased criminal history record information, as defined in section 9 of 774 this act, as to the premiums or rates charged for policies upon the lives 775 of such persons; (2) demand or require greater premiums from persons 776 of one race than such as are at that time required by that company from 777 persons of another race of the same age, sex, general condition of health 778 and hope of longevity; (3) demand or require greater premiums from 779 persons with erased criminal history record information than such as 780 are at that time required by that company from persons without erased 781 criminal history record information of the same age, sex, general 782 conditions of health and hope of longevity; or [(3)] (4) make or require 783 any rebate, diminution or discount on the basis of race or erased 784 criminal history record information upon the sum to be paid on any 785 policy in case of the death of any person insured, nor insert in the policy 786 any condition, nor make any stipulation whereby such person insured 787 shall bind himself, his heirs, executors, administrators or assigns to 788 accept any sum less than the full value or amount of such policy, in case 789 of a claim accruing thereon by reason of the death of such person 790 insured, other than such as are imposed upon all persons in similar 791 cases; and each such stipulation or condition so made or inserted shall 792 be void. 793 Sec. 29. Section 46a-74 of the general statutes is repealed and the 794 following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective January 1, 2023): 795 No state department, board or agency may permit any 796 discriminatory practice in violation of section 46a-59, 46a-64, [or] 46a-797 64c or section 11, 12, 16, 17, 23, 24 or 26 of this act. 798 Sec. 30. Section 46a-79 of the general statutes is repealed and the 799 following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective January 1, 2023): 800 The General Assembly finds that the public is best protected when 801 criminal offenders are rehabilitated and returned to society prepared to 802 take their places as productive citizens and that the ability of returned 803 offenders to find meaningful employment is directly related to their 804 normal functioning in the community. It is therefore the policy of this 805 Substitute Bill No. 1019 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-01019- R01-SB.docx } 27 of 32 state to encourage all employers to give favorable consideration to 806 providing jobs to qualified individuals, including those who may have 807 [criminal conviction records] conviction information, as defined in 808 section 54-142g, as amended by this act. Nothing in this section shall be 809 construed to permit any employer to refuse to hire or employ or to bar 810 or to discharge from employment or to discriminate against an 811 individual in compensation or in terms on the basis of that person's 812 erased criminal history record information, as defined in section 9 of this 813 act. 814 Sec. 31. Section 46a-80 of the general statutes is repealed and the 815 following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective January 1, 2023): 816 (a) Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, subsection (b) 817 of section 46a-81, as amended by this act, and section 36a-489, and 818 notwithstanding any other provisions of law to the contrary, a person 819 shall not be disqualified from employment by the state or any of its 820 agencies, nor shall a person be disqualified to practice, pursue or engage 821 in any occupation, trade, vocation, profession or business for which a 822 license, permit, certificate or registration is required to be issued by the 823 state or any of its agencies solely [because of a prior conviction of a 824 crime] on the basis of that person's conviction information, as defined in 825 section 54-142g, as amended by this act. 826 (b) Except for a position for which any provision of the general 827 statutes specifically disqualifies a person from employment by the state 828 or any of its agencies [because of a prior conviction of a crime] on the 829 basis of that person's conviction information, no employer, as defined in 830 section [5-270] 9 of this act, shall inquire about a prospective employee's 831 [past convictions] conviction information until such prospective 832 employee has been deemed otherwise qualified for the position in 833 accordance with the provisions of section 31-51i, as amended by this act. 834 (c) A person may be denied employment by the state or any of its 835 agencies, or a person may be denied a license, permit, certificate or 836 registration to pursue, practice or engage in an occupation, trade, 837 Substitute Bill No. 1019 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-01019- R01-SB.docx } 28 of 32 vocation, profession or business [by reason of the prior conviction of a 838 crime] on the basis of that person's conviction information if, after 839 considering (1) the nature of the crime and its relationship to the job for 840 which the person has applied; (2) information pertaining to the degree 841 of rehabilitation of the convicted person; and (3) the time elapsed since 842 the conviction or release, the state or any of its agencies determines that 843 the applicant is not suitable for the position of employment sought or 844 the specific occupation, trade, vocation, profession or business for which 845 the license, permit, certificate or registration is sought. In making a 846 determination under this subsection, the state or any of its agencies shall 847 give consideration to a provisional pardon issued pursuant to section 848 54-130e, or a certificate of rehabilitation issued pursuant to section 54-849 108f or 54-130e, and such provisional pardon or certificate of 850 rehabilitation shall establish a presumption that such applicant has been 851 rehabilitated. If an application is denied based on [a] conviction 852 information for which the applicant has received a provisional pardon 853 or certificate of rehabilitation, the state or any of its agencies, as the case 854 may be, shall provide a written statement to the applicant of its reasons 855 for such denial. 856 (d) If [a conviction of a crime] conviction information is used as a 857 basis for rejection of an applicant, such rejection shall be in writing and 858 specifically state the evidence presented and reasons for rejection. A 859 copy of such rejection shall be sent by registered mail to the applicant. 860 (e) In no case may [records of arrest, which are not followed by a 861 conviction, or records of convictions, which have been erased] erased 862 criminal history record information, as defined in section 9 of this act, 863 nonconviction information, as defined in section 54-142g, as amended 864 by this act, or criminal history record information, as defined in section 865 54-142g, as amended by this act, apart from conviction information, be 866 used, distributed or disseminated by the state or any of its agencies in 867 connection with an application for employment or for a permit, license, 868 certificate or registration. 869 (f) Nothing in this section shall permit any employer to discriminate 870 Substitute Bill No. 1019 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-01019- R01-SB.docx } 29 of 32 on the basis of erased criminal history record information in violation of 871 section 31-51i, as amended by this act, or section 17 of this act. 872 Sec. 32. Subsection (a) of section 46a-81 of the general statutes is 873 repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective January 874 1, 2023): 875 (a) Except as provided in section 36a-489, the provisions of sections 876 46a-79 to 46a-81, inclusive, as amended by this act, shall prevail over any 877 other provisions of law which purport to govern the denial of licenses, 878 permits, certificates, registrations, or other means to engage in an 879 occupation, trade, vocation, business or profession, on the grounds of a 880 lack of good moral character, or which purport to govern the suspension 881 or revocation of a license, permit, certificate or registration on the 882 grounds of conviction [of a crime] information, as defined in section 54-883 142g, as amended by this act. 884 Sec. 33. Subsection (b) of section 54-142g of the general statutes is 885 repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective January 886 1, 2023): 887 (b) "Criminal justice agency" means any court with criminal 888 jurisdiction, the Department of Motor Vehicles or any other 889 governmental agency created by statute which is authorized by law and 890 engages, in fact, as its principal function in activities constituting the 891 administration of criminal justice, including, but not limited to, 892 organized municipal police departments, the Division of Criminal 893 Justice, the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, 894 including the Division of State Police, the Department of Correction, the 895 Court Support Services Division, the Office of Policy and Management, 896 the state's attorneys, assistant state's attorneys and deputy assistant 897 state's attorneys, the Board of Pardons and Paroles, the Chief Medical 898 Examiner and the Office of the Victim Advocate. "Criminal justice 899 agency" includes any component of a public, noncriminal justice agency 900 if such component is created by statute and is authorized by law and, in 901 fact, engages in activities constituting the administration of criminal 902 Substitute Bill No. 1019 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-01019- R01-SB.docx } 30 of 32 justice as its principal function. 903 Sec. 34. Section 52-180b of the general statutes is repealed and the 904 following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective January 1, 2023): 905 There shall be a rebuttable presumption against admission of 906 evidence of the prior criminal conviction of an applicant or employee in 907 an action alleging that an employer has been negligent in hiring an 908 applicant or retaining an employee, or in supervising the employer's 909 agent, representative or designee with respect to hiring an applicant or 910 retaining an employee, if the applicant or employee held a valid 911 provisional pardon or certificate of rehabilitation at the time such 912 alleged negligence occurred and a party establishes, by a preponderance 913 of the evidence, that the employer knew that the applicant or employee 914 held a valid provisional pardon or certificate of rehabilitation at the time 915 such alleged negligence occurred. For the purposes of this section, 916 "employer" has the same meaning as provided in section [31-51i] 9 of 917 this act. 918 Sec. 35. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2021) (a) Notwithstanding any 919 provision of the general statutes, any offense which constitutes a breach 920 of any law of this state for which a person may be sentenced to a term 921 of imprisonment of up to but not exceeding one year shall be punishable 922 by imprisonment for a period not to exceed three hundred sixty-four 923 days. A misdemeanor conviction for which a person was sentenced to a 924 term of imprisonment of one year shall continue to be deemed a 925 misdemeanor conviction after the maximum term of imprisonment is 926 reduced pursuant to this section. 927 (b) The provisions of this section apply to any term of imprisonment 928 for which a person was sentenced to before, on or after October 1, 2021. 929 (c) Any person sentenced to a term of imprisonment of one year, prior 930 to October 1, 2021, for any offense previously punishable by a term of 931 imprisonment of up to but not exceeding one year, may apply to the 932 court that entered the judgment of conviction to have the term of 933 Substitute Bill No. 1019 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-01019- R01-SB.docx } 31 of 32 sentence modified to the maximum term of imprisonment for a period 934 not to exceed three hundred sixty-four days. Any such application may 935 be filed at any time and the court shall issue such modification 936 regardless of the date of conviction, provided the record of such 937 sentence has not been destroyed. 938 This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following sections: Section 1 July 1, 2021 54-124a(l) Sec. 2 January 1, 2023 54-130a Sec. 3 January 1, 2023 54-142a Sec. 4 January 1, 2023 54-142d Sec. 5 January 1, 2023 New section Sec. 6 January 1, 2023 54-142e Sec. 7 July 1, 2021 29-11(c) Sec. 8 January 1, 2023 54-142k(d) Sec. 9 January 1, 2023 New section Sec. 10 January 1, 2023 46a-51(7) and (8) Sec. 11 October 1, 2021 New section Sec. 12 October 1, 2021 New section Sec. 13 January 1, 2023 8-265c Sec. 14 January 1, 2023 8-315 Sec. 15 January 1, 2023 31-51i Sec. 16 October 1, 2021 New section Sec. 17 October 1, 2021 New section Sec. 18 October 1, 2021 New section Sec. 19 October 1, 2021 New section Sec. 20 October 1, 2021 New section Sec. 21 October 1, 2021 New section Sec. 22 October 1, 2021 New section Sec. 23 October 1, 2021 New section Sec. 24 October 1, 2021 New section Sec. 25 January 1, 2023 10a-6(b) Sec. 26 October 1, 2021 New section Sec. 27 January 1, 2023 38a-358 Sec. 28 January 1, 2023 38a-447 Sec. 29 January 1, 2023 46a-74 Sec. 30 January 1, 2023 46a-79 Substitute Bill No. 1019 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-01019- R01-SB.docx } 32 of 32 Sec. 31 January 1, 2023 46a-80 Sec. 32 January 1, 2023 46a-81(a) Sec. 33 January 1, 2023 54-142g(b) Sec. 34 January 1, 2023 52-180b Sec. 35 October 1, 2021 New section Statement of Legislative Commissioners: Sections 6 and 8 were merged as they amended the same section and remaining sections and internal references were renumbered accordingly. JUD Joint Favorable Subst.