Raised Bill No. 1233 is a legislative proposal aimed at amending Section 54-123a of the general statutes to establish community-based sentencing alternatives for primary caretakers of dependent children and other eligible caretakers. The bill, effective October 1, 2023, assigns the Judicial Department the responsibility of overseeing and coordinating alternative sanctions, evaluating their effectiveness, and developing eligibility criteria. It also allows for partnerships with nonprofit organizations and the acquisition of grants and donations to support these initiatives. The bill specifies that defendants, except those with non-reducible mandatory minimum sentences, may be eligible for these alternatives, which focus on community rehabilitation and maintaining parent-child relationships. Courts are required to consider various factors when determining eligibility and must record the reasons if a defendant is found ineligible.

The bill also details the services that may be included in a defendant's community sentencing alternative, such as educational and vocational training, employment counseling, financial literacy, health care services, and welfare program enrollment assistance. It emphasizes that defendants should not be burdened with fees or costs for these services unless they can afford them. Additionally, the court can summon defendants to assess their progress or address sentence violations, with the authority to continue, modify, or sanction based on the defendant's compliance. The bill, which is set to take effect on October 1, 2023, introduces new legal language to the existing law, with no deletions indicated. The purpose of the bill is to offer incarceration alternatives that support family well-being and the safety of dependents.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 54-123a