Committee on Children
JOINT FAVORABLE REPORT
Bill No.: HB-5331
Title: AN ACT REQUIRING A SURVEY OF COURT-INVOLVED YOUTHS.
Vote Date: 3/10/2020
Vote Action: Joint Favorable
PH Date: 3/3/2020
File No.:
Disclaimer: The following JOINT FAVORABLE Report is prepared for the benefit of the
members of the General Assembly, solely for purposes of information, summarization and
explanation and does not represent the intent of the General Assembly or either chamber
thereof for any purpose.
SPONSORS OF BILL:
Committee on Children
REASONS FOR BILL:
The bill would help identify the need for additional or improved services among lesbian, gay,
bisexual, transgender and queer youth interfacing with the court system. It will require the
Court Support Services Division to conduct surveys of youth that interact with the courts to
gather this information.
RESPONSE FROM ADMINISTRATION/AGENCY:
State of Connecticut Judicial Branch
The Judicial Branch supports this bill but would like to assist with drafting of the final
language. In 2019 they implemented a pilot program to gather the information proposed by
the bill. They then implemented the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identify Expression
Survey (SOGIE) at intake in their juvenile probation offices in Stamford and Middletown, as
well as in their Juvenile Detention Centers. The information gathered in this program has led
to changes in detention policy involving searches, undergarments and prison rape elimination
act classification.
Sarah Eagan, Office of the Child Advocate
The Office of the Child Advocate supports asking youth in the juvenile justice system to take
a survey gathering information anonymously, confidentially, and voluntarily about gender
identity.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF SUPPORT:
American Civil Liberties Union of Connecticut
The American Civil Liberties Union of Connecticut supports this legislation. This bill would
help provide access to more services to LGBTQ+ individuals. They are also asking for
additional language that would strengthen it by saying that justice-involved LGBTQ youths
help recommend additional or improved Judicial Branch services
The Connecticut Juvenile Justice Alliance
Offers strong support of this legislation. Conducting an anonymous survey would help identify
if existing programs are providing adequate services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender
and queer youths. This legislation helps make sure the data needed to ensure the justice
system is treating every youth justly and with the services and supports individualized to
their specific needs and identity is available.
Ashley Davila-Marquez
Is testifying in support of this legislation. It is estimated that the LGBTQ+ population make up
between 13-15% of those in the juvenile justice system. This bill is a step in the right direction
for inclusivity and innovation in the juvenile justice system.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF OPPOSITION:
None expressed.
Reported by: Peter Murszewski Date: 4/3/2020
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