CT SB00388

Expands witness identity protection under law enforcement records to include witnesses under age 18 to drug offenses, sexual offenses, or crimes of violence, in addition to minor witnesses generally.

Modifies public records exemption for homicide victim images to focus on "body or any portion of the body" and clarifies that nothing prohibits in-person inspection of such images at agency offices.

Permits agencies to deny copying requests for homicide victim images when copying could constitute unwarranted invasion of personal privacy, with burden of proof on the agency in Freedom of Information Commission appeals.

Allows next of kin of homicide victims to receive notice of and intervene as parties in appeals of denied image copy requests.

Creates criminal penalty of class A misdemeanor for unauthorized removal, copying, or duplication of homicide victim images, with each violation treated as separate offense.

Directs the Legislative Program Review and Investigations Committee to study victim privacy issues and submit recommendations to relevant joint standing committees by January 1, 2015.