Senate Bill No. 506 seeks to strengthen penalties for criminal mischief involving intentional damage to critical infrastructure by amending Sections 53a-115 and 53a-116 of the general statutes. The bill expands the definitions of first and second-degree criminal mischief, specifically classifying actions that damage public utilities, transportation systems, communication networks, and emergency services as criminal mischief. Under the new provisions, individuals can be charged with first-degree criminal mischief for intentionally damaging or tampering with property of a utility or public transportation that results in service interruption, or for damaging electronic monitoring equipment required for probation or community release. The bill clarifies that both degrees of criminal mischief require the perpetrator to lack reasonable grounds to believe they had the right to cause such damage.

The penalties for first-degree criminal mischief remain a class D felony, punishable by up to five years in prison and fines up to $5,000, while second-degree criminal mischief continues to be classified as a class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to 364 days in prison and fines up to $2,000. The bill also makes technical changes to the language of the law and sets an effective date of October 1, 2026. Overall, SB506 aims to deter intentional damage to critical infrastructure by imposing stricter penalties and broadening the scope of criminal mischief offenses to include actions that may inadvertently threaten public services.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill:
JUD Joint Favorable:
File No. 619: