CT HB05366

Requires persons convicted of crimes against a defendant to file a sworn certificate with their complaint stating reasonable inquiry was made and the action has merit and is not filed maliciously or solely to harass, effective October 1, 2012.

Requires persons with three or more prior complaints or appeals dismissed as frivolous, malicious, or failing to state a claim to file the same sworn certificate before filing new civil actions against the same defendant.

Authorizes courts to dismiss civil actions lacking merit filed for malicious purposes or harassment, and to impose sanctions including reasonable expenses and attorney's fees on the filing party or attorney, with potential referral for disciplinary review.

Expands restrictions on subpoena issuance to cover any party (not just pro se litigants) convicted of family violence crimes or certain criminal statutes, requiring court authorization before subpoenaing crime victims.

Creates new restrictions requiring parties with three or more prior dismissed complaints to obtain court authorization before issuing subpoenas, with courts determining relevance and necessity of defendant testimony.