Substitute House Bill No. 7255 establishes an Office of Information Privacy within the Judicial Branch, effective January 1, 2026, to protect the personal information of "protected individuals," including judges and their families, from public disclosure. The bill defines "personal information" to encompass sensitive data such as home addresses and Social Security numbers, while excluding information relevant to public discourse. It also amends section 17a-28 of the general statutes by repealing subsection (g) and introducing new provisions that clarify the conditions under which records can be disclosed without consent, ensuring that public agency employees are protected from civil liability when handling personal information in good faith.

The bill further enhances the management of sensitive records related to child welfare, specifying access rights for various entities, including law enforcement and state agencies, while ensuring the privacy of biological parents. It modifies existing laws regarding juvenile records, expands access to these records for relevant parties, and streamlines judicial processes related to civil actions and protective orders. Additionally, it introduces provisions for remote acknowledgments of documents and establishes a task force to address coerced debt, particularly in domestic violence cases. Overall, the bill aims to improve the protection of sensitive information, enhance victim support, and streamline judicial processes while ensuring accountability and transparency.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 51-50c, 51-50k, 51-197f, 51-344, 51-345, 52-434, 54-1k, 54-230, 51-85a, 52-350f, 52-278f, 52-46a
JUD Joint Favorable Substitute: 51-50c, 51-50k, 51-197f, 51-344, 51-345, 52-434, 54-1k, 54-230, 51-85a, 52-350f, 52-278f, 52-46a
File No. 773: 51-50c, 51-50k, 51-197f, 51-344, 51-345, 52-434, 54-1k, 54-230, 51-85a, 52-350f, 52-278f, 52-46a
APP Joint Favorable: 51-50c, 51-50k, 51-197f, 51-344, 51-345, 52-434, 54-1k, 54-230, 51-85a, 52-350f, 52-278f, 52-46a
File No. 951: 51-50c, 51-50k, 51-197f, 51-344, 51-345, 52-434, 54-1k, 54-230, 51-85a, 52-350f, 52-278f, 52-46a, 51-9
Public Act No. 25-91: 51-50c, 51-50k, 51-197f, 51-344, 51-345, 52-434, 54-1k, 54-230, 51-85a, 52-350f, 52-278f, 52-46a, 51-9