SB 6 Summary: Domestic Violence and Criminal Justice Reforms

• Expands domestic violence restraining orders under § 46b-15 to include coercive controlling behavior, financial control, and animal cruelty; reduces hearing timeline to 7 days when respondent possesses firearms.

• Establishes grant program funded with $1.25 million annually (FY 2022-2023) to provide pro bono legal counsel to indigent individuals applying for restraining orders in five judicial districts.

• Adds protections for domestic violence victims in social services programs by waiving income eligibility standards for 90 days for victims of SNAP benefits, child care subsidies, and cash assistance programs.

• Prohibits insurance discrimination based on domestic violence victim status for health insurance, life insurance, and property/casualty insurance policies.

• Modifies bail/release conditions to require courts consider heightened risk to domestic violence victims when setting conditions and limit financial conditions for misdemeanor charges unless domestic violence or financial condition requested.