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. The bill allows these individuals to request the removal of sensitive data, such as home addresses and Social Security numbers, from public access. 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, particularly in child welfare cases. The bill includes protections for public agency employees from civil liability when handling personal information and aims to enhance the legal framework surrounding child welfare investigations while safeguarding sensitive information.

Additionally, the bill introduces various amendments to existing laws related to judicial processes, civil actions, and the rights of victims. It modifies the returnability of civil process based on residency and location, streamlines the process for invalidating records, and updates the responsibilities of the Judicial Department regarding contracts and consultant services. Notably, it enhances victims' rights by ensuring they are notified of developments in their cases and establishes a task force to address coerced debt, particularly for victims of domestic violence. The bill also clarifies the roles of retired judges and introduces new provisions for remote acknowledgments in legal contexts, aiming to improve the efficiency and accessibility of the judicial system while protecting sensitive information.

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