Senate Bill No. 342, Public Act No. 24-67, is an act concerning the confidentiality of communications between peer support team members and Department of Correction employees. The bill amends Section 52-146v of the general statutes, effective July 1, 2024, to include employees of the Department of Correction as "first responders" who can benefit from confidential communications with peer support team members. The definition of "first responder" is expanded by inserting "employee of the Department of Correction" into the existing list, which already includes peace officers, firefighters, emergency medical personnel, and telecommunicators.

The bill outlines that confidential communications between a first responder and a peer support team member are protected and cannot be disclosed, except under specific circumstances. These communications include all oral and written communications transmitted in confidence during participation in an employer-established peer support program. Disclosure of such communications is prohibited unless the first responder waives the privilege, or in situations where disclosure is necessary for the purposes of the peer support program, or if mandated by law, believed in good faith to prevent clear and present danger, or if the peer support team member was a witness or party to an incident resulting in peer support services to the first responder. The act also prohibits requesting or requiring information about a first responder's participation in a peer support program in any civil, criminal, legislative, or administrative proceeding.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 52-146v
PS Joint Favorable: 52-146v
File No. 220: 52-146v
Public Act No. 24-67: 52-146v