Substitute House Bill No. 7251 seeks to reform the compensation process for individuals wrongfully incarcerated in Connecticut by establishing clear eligibility criteria. To qualify for compensation, individuals must have their conviction vacated or reversed, and the complaint must be dismissed on grounds of innocence or serious misconduct by state officials. The bill introduces the concept of "grounds consistent with innocence," which includes substantial evidence of innocence discovered at any time. It also modifies the claimant's burden of proof, allowing them to present evidence on various factors affecting compensation amounts. Key changes include replacing "shall" with "may" regarding evidence presentation and allowing collaboration between the Attorney General and the Chief State's Attorney to ascertain relevant facts.

The bill streamlines the claims process by enabling claimants and the Attorney General to agree on facts and compensation amounts, which are then submitted to the claims commissioner for approval. If the commissioner finds the claimant eligible, they must approve the agreement and order immediate payment. Notably, compensation awards of $1.5 million or less will not require General Assembly review, expediting the process. The bill also removes the requirement for claimants to provide personal information like age and income, while allowing more flexibility in presenting evidence related to damages. Additionally, it addresses claims from deceased individuals and stipulates that compensation awards may be offset against damages from other government entities. The changes are set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 54-102uu
JUD Joint Favorable Substitute: 54-102uu, 52-557f
File No. 807: 54-102uu, 52-557f
File No. 942: 54-102uu