Connecticut legislation · 2026 General Assembly
Connecticut SB397: AN ACT CONCERNING DEMOCRACY AND GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY AND THE USE AND RETENTION OF DATA DERIVED FROM AUTOMATED LICENSE PLATE READER SYSTEMS.
Status: Chaptered, May 6, 2026
What the bill says
An act concerning democracy and government accountability. assembly convened.
From the introduced text:
AN ACT CONCERNING DEMOCRACY AND GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY. Assembly convened: Section 1. (NEW) (Effective from passage) (a) Every person or entity, including a federal or state officer or employee who, under color of any statute, ordinance, regulation, custom or usage, of the United States or the state of Connecticut, subjects, or causes to be subjected, any citizen of this state or other person within the jurisdiction thereof to the deprivation of any rights, privileges or immunities secured by the United States Constitution, shall be liable to the party injured in an action at law or other proper proceeding for redress. (b) (1) In a civil action brought pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, if the defendant is held liable, the court may award damages, including, but not limited to, nominal damages, actual damages, compensatory damages, punitive damages, injunctive relief and other appropriate equitable relief, to protect the peaceable exercise or enjoyment of the right or rights secured by the United States Constitution. LCO No. 2627 1 of Raised Bill No. (2) In a civil action brought pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, if the defendant is held liable, the court shall award the plaintiff reasonable attorney's fees and expenses, unless the court determines that special circumstances would render such an award unjust. (c) It is the intent of the …
Sponsors
- Matthew Lesser (D, 9) · primary sponsor
- Matthew Blumenthal (D, 147)
- Saud Anwar (D, 3)
- Joshua Elliott (D, 88)
- Jason Doucette (D, 13)
- Travis Simms (D, 140)
- Nicholas Gauthier (D, 38)
- Kate Farrar (D, 20)
- Sujata Gadkar-Wilcox (D, 22)
- Julie Kushner (D, 24)
- Patricia Dillon (D, 92)
- Hubert Delany (D, 144)
Latest actions
- : Transmitted to the Secretary of State
- : Public Act 26-14
- : Signed by Governor in Original
- : Rules Suspended, Transmitted to the Governor
- : In Concurrence
- : House Passed as Amended by Senate Amendment Schedule A,B
- : House Adopted Senate Amendment Schedule A,B
- : Bill Passed Temporarily
- : House Rejected House Amendment Schedule J 4748
- : House Rejected House Amendment Schedule I 5371
Votes
- House Roll Call 175 (May 1, 2026): 91 yea, 53 nay, passed
- House Roll Call 174 (April 30, 2026): 57 yea, 93 nay, failed
- House Roll Call 173 (April 30, 2026): 64 yea, 86 nay, failed
- House Roll Call 172 (April 30, 2026): 58 yea, 92 nay, failed
- House Roll Call 171 (April 30, 2026): 61 yea, 89 nay, failed
- House Roll Call 170 (April 30, 2026): 59 yea, 91 nay, failed
Subjects: Electronic government information, Evidence (Law), Self defense, Chief State's Attorney, Complaint, Arrest, Correctional institution employees, State contracts
Common questions
- What is SB397?
- SB397 is a bill in the Connecticut Legislature (2026 General Assembly): AN ACT CONCERNING DEMOCRACY AND GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY AND THE USE AND RETENTION OF DATA DERIVED FROM AUTOMATED LICENSE PLATE READER SYSTEMS.
- What does SB397 do?
- In its own words: An act concerning democracy and government accountability. assembly convened.
- What is the status of SB397?
- Chaptered as of May 6, 2026. Latest action: Transmitted to the Secretary of State (May 6, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB397?
- Matthew Lesser (D, 9), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for SB397?
- On the Connecticut Legislature website: https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=SB00397&which_year=2026
Source: official Connecticut record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.