Housing Committee
JOINT FAVORABLE REPORT
Bill No.: SB-48
AN ACT CONCERNING ADDITIONAL HOUSING PROTECTIONS FOR VICTIMS
Title: OF FAMILY VIOLENCE OR SEXUAL ASSAULT.
Vote Date: 3/11/2021
Vote Action: Joint Favorable Substitute
PH Date: 3/4/2021
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:
Sen. Anwar- 3rd District
Rep. Winkler- 56th District
Rep. Gilchrest- 18th District
Rep. Palm- 36th District
Rep. Felipe- 130th District
Rep. Michel- 146th District
Rep. Berger-Girvalo- 111th District
Rep. Doucette- 13th District
REASONS FOR BILL:
Thousands of Connecticut residents are subject to domestic and sexual violence. Currently,
the Connecticut does not require landlords change the locks to dwellings inhabited by victims
of domestic and sexual violence. This bill seeks to address the concerns of these victims by
requiring landlords change the locks upon request of the tenant within 2 business days.
RESPONSE FROM ADMINISTRATION/AGENCY:
Seila Mosquera-Bruno, Commissioner of Housing- SUPPORTS stating the bill increases
access to housing resources for survivors of domestic violence, as well as provides "trauma
informed, survivor-centered" support services.
The Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities- SUPPORTS stating victims of
domestic violence can face housing discrimination under current rules. One in three women
and 1/10 men over 18 experience domestic violence. A quarter of women and one out of
seven men experience physical violence with a partner. Domestic violence also affects
325,000 pregnant women annually. This bill works to address these realities. The
Commission also asks that victims of domestic violence be made a protected class in order to
prevent future discrimination.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF SUPPORT:
Cara Mackler- Manager of Campus Education, Training & Outreach- Women's Center of
Greater Danbury- SUPPORTS stating the bill provides safety for victims of domestic and
sexual violence. It is common for abusers to continue to pursue victims, creating a need for
victims to feel safe within their own homes.
Liza Andrews- Director of Public Policy and Communications for the Connecticut Coalition
Against Domestic Violence- SUPPORTS CONDITIONALLY stating this bill would provide
safety for victims of domestic and sexual violence by requiring landlords change the locks to
dwelling units for such victims. However, she requests language changes in the bill to better
reflect the language that landlords will see on a final court order:
Line 10 after landlord; add (2) the order requires that the respondent or defendant of
such order (i) stay
away from the home of the tenant or (ii) stay 100 yards away from the tenant;
Line 10 change (2) to (3)
Line 48 after respondent add or defendant
Line 52 after respondent add or defendant
Line 66 - after respondent add or defendant.
Paul J Januszewski- President of the Greater Enfield Landlord Association SUPPORTS
CONDITIONALLY stating he supports the bill but believes believe that neither landlord nor
their agent should be held responsible if they cannot change the locks immediately.
Furthermore, the cost of lock changes should not fall on the landlord.
AnnMarie Puelo SUPPORTS CONDITIONALLY stating that this bill provides protection
for victims of domestic and sexual violence. However, the cost of the replacement of the lock
should not come from the landlord and should instead be taken from the security deposit. It
should not be the responsibly to keep the tenant safe.
Adam Bonoff SUPPORTS stating that there should be no suppression of criminal records,
mothers deserve to be protected.
The following SUPPORT SB 48 stating that Connecticut does not currently require landlords
to change the locks upon request of victims of domestic and sexual violence. It can be
traumatic for victims who have gained a restraining order against an abuser to not feel safe in
their own home. Several states across the country have taken similar actions:
Emily Clintorino, JD, MSW- Community Counselor at the Prudence Crandell Center
Madeline Granato- Policy Director for the CWEALF
Brandi Kennedy- Family Violence Victim Advocate for New Horizons Domestic Violence
Services
Page 2 of 4 SB-48
Kerry Linden- Child and Family Advocate Specialist at Safe Haven of Greater Waterbury
Alyssa Martin- Director of New Horizon Domestic Violence Services
Elizabeth Mauro- Executive Director of Women's Support Services
Penni Micca- Legislative Liaison for the Interval House
Lee Schlesinger- Executive Director of Safe Haven of Greater Waterbury
Angela Schlingheyde- Director of Civil Legal and Court Advocacy Services at the Center for
Family Justice
Jenna Sencabaugh- Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence
The following SUPPORT SB 48, stating the bill creates a safer environment for victims of
domestic and sexual violence. One quarter of women will experience domestic violence in
her lifetime. Violence forces victims to flee their homes and even travel across the country to
escape their abusers. This bill is a cost-effective way to give victims safety and peace of
mind, while also bringing Connecticut law in line with that of 15 other states:
Alana
Sebastian Baez
Kennedy Bennett
Esha Bhattacharya
Colby Bladow
Rachel Brown
Sydney Bryant
Josephine Cureton
Maansi Dasari
William Garcia
Margaret Hanksins
Nick Jacobson
Nicole Jefferson
Sophie Kane
Abby Leighton
Anjali Mangla
Isabella Morales
Galia Newberger
Evan Roberts
Rosie
Megan Ruoro
Ishani Singh
Katie Taylor
The following SUPPORT SB 48:
Helen Nixon
Caroline Raynis
Page 3 of 4 SB-48
NATURE AND SOURCES OF OPPOSITION:
Adam Bonoff- OPPOSES stating there should be no suppression of criminal records.
Mothers deserve to be look out for.
Anthony Johnson- Connecticut Chapter of the National Association of Housing and
Redevelopment Officials OPPOSES stating the bill overlaps with federal law, leading to
duplicative intent for housing authorities. Furthermore, he requests the bill clarify who bears
the cost of the lock change.
Reported by: Gabriel Turco Date: [Type Date]
Page 4 of 4 SB-48


Statutes affected:
Committee Bill:
HSG Joint Favorable Substitute:
File No. 179: