Hi Everyone
Two important juvenile justice bills cleared the House of Representatives today. The first, RB 796, AN ACT CONCERNING LENGTHY SENTENCES FOR CRIMES COMMITTED BY A CHILD OR YOUTH AND THE SENTENCING OF A CHILD OR YOUTH CONVICTED OF CERTAIN
FELONY OFFENSE passed the House passed early this morning. This bill brings Connecticut into compliance with the United States Supreme Court holding in
Miller v. Alabama by outlawing life without the possibility of parole for offenses committed while the accused was a juvenile. 796 also gives individuals who received long sentences as a juvenile the ability to apply for parole after a portion of their
sentence is served. As part of the Connecticut Sentencing Commission, OCPD has worked for several years to get this measure through the legislature. It needs to go back to the senate for final approval but the bill is supported by both parties.
R.B 7050, AN ACT CONCERNING THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM passed with overwhelming bipartisan support, 143-1. This bill was a compromise between House Democrats and Republicans, specifically Reps. Tong, Porter, Rebimbas and Labriola. 7050
removes certain Class B felonies from automatic transfer to adult court and provides a hearing before the case can be sent to adult court. It also raises the minimum age for transfer from 14 to 15, creates a legislative task force to consult on juvenile justice
policy issues and creates a statutory presumption that a child will have all mechanical restraints removed before entering a juvenile courtroom. This was an OCPD proposal and Deborah Sullivan and her team worked tirelessly to make sure it got through today.
This bill also requires Senate approval but it is not expected to be opposed.
RB 6899T AN ACT EXPANDING GUARDIANSHIP OPPORTUNITIES FOR CHILDREN AND IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS OF THE FEDERAL PREVENTING SEX TRAFFICKING AND STRENGTHENING FAMILIES ACT Is expected to be called later today. This bill will ensure that children
have a voice in their child welfare case and changes the procedure for appointment of counsel in cases that are transferred from probate to juvenile court.
This was a good day for juvenile justice in Connecticut!
Chris
Attorney Christine Perra Rapillo
Director of Delinquency Defense and Child Protection
Office of the Chief Public Defender
Child Protection/Juvenile Unit
330 Main Street
Hartford, CT 06106
(860) 566-1341
Fax 860 566-1349