Connecticut House Bill HB05837

Connecticut 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/18/23
• Refer: 1/18/23

Caption

An Act Concerning The Forfeiture Of A Judicial Retirement Salary.

Impact

If enacted, HB 5837 would significantly impact the rules governing judicial retirement benefits, creating a mechanism to revoke benefits for judges or other judicial officers who fail to fulfill their duties due to unauthorized absences. This could serve as a strong deterrent against neglect of responsibilities, ensuring that judicial officers remain accountable for their actions and presence in their roles. Moreover, it emphasizes the importance of maintaining expected standards of conduct within the judiciary.

Summary

House Bill 5837 aims to amend chapter 872 of the general statutes concerning the forfeiture of judicial retirement salaries. The primary objective of this bill is to introduce provisions that allow for the forfeiture of an individual's vested rights to their retirement salary if they take an extended period of unauthorized absence from duty, which leads to them being subject to an administrative disciplinary hearing. This legislative change targets individuals within the judicial system who may be absent without proper authorization, highlighting accountability measures intended to uphold the integrity of judicial positions.

Contention

The introduction of this bill may spur discussions around the balance of fairness and accountability within judicial practices. Proponents may argue that this measure is necessary for enforcing discipline and preventing any potential misuse of retirement benefits by offenders of judicial norms. On the other hand, critics could voice concerns about the implications for due process, particularly in cases where absences may be legitimate or where health issues could be a factor. There could be debates about the definitions of 'unauthorized absence' and the procedural integrity of the administrative hearings related to such cases.