Senate Bill No. 438, identified as File No. 508, is a legislative proposal that aims to establish a working group to study the criminal procedure laws of the state. The bill mandates a review of title 54 of the general statutes, with the objective of recommending potential legislative changes to said title. The working group will be composed of six members, each appointed by various leaders of the House of Representatives and the Senate, all of whom are expected to have expertise in the laws of criminal procedure. The administrative staff of the joint standing committee of the General Assembly with jurisdiction over judiciary matters will provide administrative support to the working group.

The bill stipulates that the working group must submit a report on its findings and recommendations to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly that handles judiciary-related issues by January 1, 2025. The report must comply with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes. The working group will dissolve after submitting the report or on January 1, 2025, whichever is later. The bill, which includes the insertion of new legal language, is not expected to have any fiscal impact on the state or municipalities, as the members of the working group are already experts in the subject matter. The bill has received a joint favorable vote from the Judiciary Committee.