The proposed bill, General Assembly Proposed Bill No. 5596, seeks to amend section 53a-20 of the general statutes to fully adopt the "castle doctrine." This legal principle allows homeowners to use deadly physical force to prevent or terminate unlawful entry into their dwelling or to stop the commission of arson or violent crimes by trespassers. The bill introduces a rebuttable presumption that if a homeowner believes that such force is necessary, that belief is considered reasonable.

Specifically, the bill inserts language that establishes this rebuttable presumption regarding the homeowner's belief in the necessity of using deadly force. There are no deletions from the current law mentioned in the text of the bill. The intent of the legislation is to clarify and strengthen the legal protections for homeowners in situations involving intruders.