Criminal Justice
For legislators
Everything a committee staffer would need, with the source named for every answer so any of it can be checked.
The documents
- The billComplete text, ten sections, with a research annotation and the 2026 session check.
- Bill summaryTwo pages: existing law, what changes, what stays illegal, what the bill does not do.
- Bill analysisSection-by-section, in the format the Office of Legislative Research uses. Simulated, not an official OLR document.
- Fiscal noteAgency-by-agency. Simulated, not an official OFA document.
Questions committee staff have asked, or would ask
What penalty attaches to a violation of section 21a-277(c)?
Section 21a‑277 states penalties for subsections (a) and (b) only; subsection (d) provides an alternative sentence for those two subsections. Section 21a‑255(c) supplies the penalty where none is expressly provided: up to two years and $3,500 for a first offense, and a class C felony for any subsequent offense. Added by P.A. 17-17 § 3.
Does section 21a-278b already contain quantity tiers?
No. Subsection (b) is flat — class B misdemeanor first offense, class A misdemeanor subsequent, without regard to quantity. Subsection (c) reduces it below eight ounces. The graduated structure in section 5 of this bill is new law, and the bill says so in its own text.
Does the bill affect the Department of Consumer Protection?
No. Section 21a‑420c and chapter 420h are not amended. Licensing, civil enforcement, testing and product standards are unchanged.
Does it affect municipal enforcement?
No. The municipal closure remedy in section 21a‑420c(e) and the civil penalties in subsection (f) are untouched.
Is a jury finding constitutionally required for the aggravating circumstance?
Yes. Under Blakely v. Washington, 542 U.S. 296, 305 n.8, whether a judicially determined fact requires an enhanced sentence or merely allows it, the verdict alone does not authorize the sentence. State v. Bell, 283 Conn. 748, 810, applies that rule in Connecticut and directs the finding to the jury, except where the defendant waives a jury or admits the fact.
Does this bill depend on the Cultivating Caregiver Act?
No. That bill amends sections 21a‑408b, 21a‑408d(b), 21a‑408m(b)(4), 21a‑408p, 21a‑420p(f) and 21a‑279a(a). This bill amends sections 21a‑277, 21a‑278, 21a‑278a, 21a‑278b and 54‑36h(a)(1). There is no overlap, and section 9 of this bill states that it amends no section of chapter 420f.
Has the bill been checked against the 2026 session?
Yes. All 151 public acts and 34 special acts of the 2026 regular session were examined. Four amend a statute this bill uses: Public Act 26-8, Public Act 26-41 (§ 53a-3), Public Act 26-82 (§ 42-110d) and Public Act 26-100 (§ 21a-240(29) and § 21a-421j). No 2026 act amends sections 21a-255, 21a-267, 21a-277(c), 21a-278, 21a-278a, 21a-278b, 53a-35a, 53a-36, 53a-39, 53a-40, 53a-48, 53a-49, 53a-51 or 54-36h.