Governor's Bill No. 89 seeks to enhance the standards for preventing and responding to sexual abuse in correctional facilities, aligning with the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA). The bill repeals and replaces Section 18-81cc of the general statutes, instituting a zero-tolerance policy for sexual abuse, improving protections for vulnerable detainees, and mandating staff training and reporting requirements. It also imposes new reporting obligations on the Commissioner of Correction, who is required to provide annual updates on training and incidents of sexual assault. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Furthermore, the bill modifies Section 18-81qq by establishing the Office of the Correction Ombuds within the Office of Governmental Accountability. This office will oversee the evaluation of services provided to incarcerated individuals, review nonemergency procedures, and conduct site visits to correctional facilities. The Ombuds will also be responsible for receiving and reviewing reports of sexual assaults, thereby enhancing oversight and accountability. Additionally, the bill introduces new legal language to assess various health care services for incarcerated individuals, including medical, dental, mental health, and substance use disorder treatment, ensuring comprehensive care. The act will amend sections 18-81cc and 18-81qq(a) and is also set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Governor's Bill: 18-81cc