The General Assembly Raised Bill No. 7121 aims to amend the eligibility criteria for individuals seeking assistance from a public defender by excluding service-connected disability benefits administered by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs from the financial assessment. Specifically, the bill modifies Section 51-297 of the general statutes, stating that when determining if a person qualifies as an "indigent defendant," their income will not include these disability benefits. This change is intended to ensure that veterans receiving such benefits are not unfairly disqualified from public defender services based on their financial status.

The bill also outlines the responsibilities of public defenders in investigating the financial status of individuals requesting representation and establishes penalties for those who falsify financial statements. It mandates that the Chief Public Defender can conduct investigations into a defendant's financial situation and requires the commission to create guidelines for assessing indigency. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, and aims to enhance access to legal representation for veterans while maintaining the integrity of the public defender system.