Substitute House Bill No. 6852 proposes to waive various fees associated with criminal history record checks for indigent individuals applying for a pardon. The bill amends Section 29-11 of the general statutes to empower the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection to waive fees for criminal history record information searches when applicants demonstrate their indigency using a prescribed form. It also prohibits independent contractors processing fingerprints from charging convenience fees to those who qualify for a fee waiver. Additionally, the bill ensures that individuals seeking a criminal history report for pardon applications are not charged any processing or distribution fees if they apply for a waiver due to indigency.

The legislation eliminates fees for fingerprinting (up to $30), processing or distribution of criminal history reports, and preregistration with the Connecticut criminal history request system. While existing law allows for a partial fee waiver for state criminal history reports, this bill extends the waiver to include federal reports, which adds an additional $13.25 to the total fee that can be waived. The DESPP commissioner is tasked with reimbursing independent contractors for any waived convenience fees and ensuring that waiver forms are accessible online and at municipal police departments. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, with fiscal impacts expected to begin in FY 26, depending on the number of waivers granted.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 29-11
PS Joint Favorable Substitute: 29-11
File No. 454: 29-11