HB 6834 Summary

• Defines "serious firearm offense" to include violations of specific firearm statutes, possession of stolen or unlawful firearms, criminal possession of firearms after felony conviction, and brandishing or shooting firearms while threatening others.

• Requires mandatory detention and expedited hearings (within 30 days) for probationers with prior serious firearm convictions or three or more felonies who are charged with serious firearm offenses while on probation.

• Establishes stricter bail conditions for those charged with serious firearm offenses, including a rebuttable presumption they pose public safety threats and requiring deposit of at least 30 percent of bond amounts directly with the court.

• Increases penalties for criminal possession of a firearm to a class C felony with a mandatory minimum of two years and one day that cannot be suspended, and creates new parole ineligibility requirements for violent offenders.

• Establishes firearm-related crime dockets in Fairfield, Hartford, New Haven, and Waterbury by December 31, 2023, and requires law enforcement and prosecutors to file emergency petitions regarding probationers or parolees who pose public safety threats.