House Bill No. 5311, also known as Public Act No. 26-32, amends the existing law regarding the issuance of standing criminal protective orders in cases involving family violence crimes. The bill repeals subsection (a) of section 53a-40e and replaces it with new provisions that allow the court to issue a standing criminal protective order if a person is convicted of or found not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect of certain specified crimes, including those that constitute family violence. The court has the discretion to issue such an order if it believes that it serves the best interest of the victim and the public.

A significant addition to the law is the requirement that if the court decides not to issue a standing criminal protective order against a person convicted of or found not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect of a family violence crime, it must provide a statement on the record explaining its reasons for this decision. This change aims to enhance accountability and transparency in the judicial process regarding protective orders in family violence cases. The new provisions will take effect on October 1, 2026.