CT HB05366

Changes references in child welfare law from the "Adoption Assistance and Child Welfare Act of 1980" to the "Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997, as amended" in statutes governing termination of parental rights and case planning (Sections 1-3).

Requires courts to provide applicants for domestic violence restraining orders with information on steps to continue orders and contact information for domestic violence counselors and agencies (Section 5).

Expands factors courts may consider when issuing domestic violence restraining orders ex parte to include reports from the Court Support Services Division containing prior protection orders, criminal history, arrest warrants, risk assessments, and family court matters (Section 4).

Prohibits parents, guardians, or responsible adults acting as next friend for minors under 18 from speaking on the applicant's behalf at domestic violence hearings unless good cause is shown, though they may testify as witnesses (Sections 4 and 6).

Removes filing fees for receiving and recording assessments of damages by appraisers of land taken for public use (Section 7), effective October 1, 2016.