Substitute Senate Bill No. 439, Public Act No. 24-106, is a legislative act that revises the criteria and process for compensating individuals who have been wrongfully incarcerated. The bill amends Section 54-102uu of the general statutes, replacing the existing language with new provisions that expand eligibility for compensation to those whose convictions have been vacated or reversed on grounds of innocence or due to malfeasance or serious misconduct by state officials. It also introduces the term "grounds consistent with innocence," which encompasses situations with substantial evidence of innocence, whether previously known or newly discovered. The bill outlines the claim process, where the claimant must prove their case by a preponderance of the evidence and specifies factors for determining compensation, including a base amount of at least 200% of the median family income for each year of incarceration, adjusted for inflation.

The bill includes provisions to prevent double compensation by offsetting any damages awarded from other government units within the state against the compensation received under this section. It also allows for the estate of a deceased claimant, including those whose convictions were vacated posthumously, to receive compensation if a claim was pending at the time of death. The bill details the handling of claims submitted to the General Assembly, ensuring they are considered at the next regular session if the Assembly is not in session or if there is insufficient time to act upon them. The bill clarifies that its provisions do not apply to any agreement under section 3-125a. Public Act No. 24-106 was approved on June 4, 2024.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 54-102uu
JUD Joint Favorable Substitute: 54-102uu
File No. 527: 54-102uu
Public Act No. 24-106: 54-102uu