The proposed legislation, General Assembly Raised Bill No. 1327, seeks to amend Section 53a-39 of the general statutes regarding the reduction of sentences by the sentencing court or judge. Key changes include the removal of the previous stipulation that limited sentence reductions to specific circumstances, allowing for broader discretion in reducing sentences at any time during an executed period of incarceration. The bill also modifies the waiting period for defendants to reapply for sentence reductions from five years to two years, and from three years to two years if the application is granted in part. Additionally, it introduces provisions that allow the court to modify sentences below mandatory minimum terms, which were previously exempt from reduction.

Furthermore, the bill enhances procedural aspects by requiring that defendants provide the state with a copy of their application for sentence reduction and any supporting materials. It mandates that the court schedule a hearing within ninety days of receiving the application and outlines the process for rejecting applications on technical grounds, allowing defendants to amend their applications. Victims of the crime are also given the opportunity to make statements regarding the sentence reduction during the hearing, ensuring their voices are considered in the decision-making process. The act is set to take effect on October 1, 2025.