The proposed legislation, General Assembly Raised Bill No. 5564, aims to enhance the rights of crime victims regarding their ability to provide statements and receive notifications during judicial proceedings. Key changes include the requirement for courts to allow victims to make statements before the dismissal of charges or the acceptance of plea agreements, as well as before sentencing. Victims can submit written statements if they cannot appear in person, and these statements will be included in the court record. The bill also mandates that the state's attorney must notify victims of the relevant proceedings, provided they have given updated contact information, replacing the previous requirement for victims to submit a stamped, self-addressed postcard for notification.

Additionally, the bill specifies that victims must be informed of the terms of any proposed plea agreement, particularly if it involves significant prison time, and outlines the information that must be provided regarding the defendant's potential eligibility for risk reduction credits, parole, or automatic erasure of convictions. The legislation excludes certain proceedings from these requirements, specifically those governed by sections 46b-121 or 54-76h. The bill is set to take effect on October 1, 2026, and aims to modernize and clarify the legal framework surrounding victim statements and notifications.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 54-91c