Happy Tax Day: Trump Cut Taxes for Billionaires and Raised Them on Everyone Else

Posted on April 15, 2026 by sdozapier@senatedems.ct.gov

Happy Tax Day: Trump Cut Taxes for Billionaires and Raised Them on Everyone Else

HARTFORD — On Tax Day, Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven) and Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) issued the following statement:

“If you’re not a billionaire, Donald Trump and Washington Republicans raised your taxes. Trump’s tariff program is the largest tax hike since 1993, costing American families an average of $1,600 last year. The Republican federal budget provides tax relief to top earners, while 25% of Americans pay more than $400 extra per year. Coupled with Republicans and Trump increasing health care costs and skyrocketing gas prices, this is the most expensive Tax Day in recent memory. The only people catching a break are the wealthy and well-connected.

“Here in Connecticut, Democrats are doing the opposite. We are working to cut the sales tax on groceries, clothing, and everyday essentials to put money back in the pockets of middle-class families. We will keep delivering for Connecticut families to protect them from the ‘Billionaire First’ policies of Trump and his MAGA allies in the General Assembly.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Kevin Coughlin | kevin.coughlin@cga.ct.gov | 203-710-0193

Senator McCrory Votes in Support of New Limits on ICE Conduct in Connecticut

Posted on April 14, 2026 by Devin James

Senator McCrory Votes in Support of New Limits on ICE Conduct in Connecticut

HARTFORD – Senator Doug McCrory (D-Hartford) today joined his Democratic state Senate colleagues in passing Senate Bill 397, legislation that would help reduce in Connecticut some of the horrific human rights and Constitutional abuses already committed by federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in cities and towns across America.
The bill creates a pathway, often referred to as a “converse-1983 action,” for Connecticut citizens to sue ICE agents in state court if their Constitutional rights have been violated.
“The communities I represent in Hartford, Bloomfield, and Windsor are home to immigrant families who deserve to live without fear of unlawful detention or abuse,” Senator McCrory said. “When the federal government fails to hold agents accountable for violating people’s Constitutional rights, Connecticut must step in to do exactly that. This vote is about who we are as a state and what we are willing to do to protect the people who call Connecticut home.”

Since May of 2025, federal ICE agents have mounted an unprecedented national fear campaign of attacks on American citizens, including murder, kidnappings, assaults, violations of Constitutional rights, the vilification of all immigrants, and the politicized enforcement of the law.
Senate Bill 397 was first introduced in the Judiciary Committee on March 3 and had its public hearing on March 9, generating nearly 350 pieces of written testimony and 166 speakers during the 12.5-hour public hearing. The bill was widely supported, particularly by religious institutions.
S.B. 397:

Creates a private right of action in state court to sue federal, state, and local government actors when a person’s Constitutional rights are violated. This so-called “Converse-1983” provision is a term coined in 1987 that will allow court actions not currently available against federal agents.
Allows the state Attorney General to take swift action to seek an injunction or declaratory relief, and damages, when federal, state, or local government agents are violating a person’s Constitutional rights. With court approval, the Attorney General could acquire a temporary injunction in five days or less for ongoing violations.
Clarifies that the state Inspector General can investigate and prosecute state, local, and some federal agents for the unauthorized use of deadly force. The bill also gives the IG clear and unrestricted access to a crime scene when law enforcement uses deadly force, or when a person dies from the use of force.
Prohibits all law enforcement officers, federal, state, and local, from covering their faces, with some exceptions, and requires them to wear a badge or name tag.
Prohibits law enforcement, federal, state, or local, from arresting someone for a civil offense in a protected area unless there is a judicial warrant. This section takes effect October 1, 2026.
Eliminates a law enforcement officer’s immunity if they violate a person’s right to record law enforcement while committing assault, battery, false imprisonment, false arrest, abuse of process, or malicious prosecution.
Prevents law enforcement officers with less than 480 hours of training from becoming police officers in Connecticut. Federal ICE officers receive approximately 376 hours of training.

S.B. 397 also addresses the growing use of automated license plate reader systems (ALPR) to ensure that driver data is handled responsibly. The bill allows ALPRs to be used for plates on a “hot list,” but data cannot be held for more than 21 days without an active criminal investigation. License plate data cannot be used to determine race or ethnicity, any activity protected under the First Amendment, or suspected immigration status, and it protects facilities providing reproductive health care or gender-affirming care from fixed ALPR placement near their locations.

S.B. 397 now heads to the House of Representatives and, if passed, will be sent to Governor Ned Lamont for his signature. Most of its provisions take effect immediately.

SENATOR LESSSER VOTES TO PASS BILL REINING IN ICE ABUSES IN CONNECTICUT

Posted on April 14, 2026 by sdozapier@senatedems.ct.gov

SENATOR LESSSER VOTES TO PASS BILL REINING IN ICE ABUSES IN CONNECTICUT

Sue ICE agents in state court, ban masks, give AG and IG broad new powers; Bill also addresses responsible use of license plate readers

HARTFORD – State Senator Matt Lesser (D-Middletown) today joined his Democratic state Senate colleagues in debating and passing Senate Bill 397, “AN ACT CONCERNING DEMOCRACY AND GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY,” that could help reduce in Connecticut some of the horrific human rights and Constitutional abuses already committed by federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in multiple cities and towns across America.

The bill passed on a purely partisan 24-10 vote and now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration. Most all of its provisions take effect immediately.

Sen. Lesser helped write the foundational portion of the ICE bill that creates a pathway – often referred to as a ‘converse-1983 action’ – for Connecticut citizens to sue ICE agents in state court if their Constitutional rights have been violated.

“With this vote, we are closing a glaring loophole – federal agents under this administration have been allowed to violate the Constitutional rights of Americans with absolutely no repercussions in places like Minneapolis, but also right here in Connecticut. This bill allows residents to sue ICE agents and others if their U.S. Constitutional rights are violated,” Sen. Lesser said today. “For 39 years, national legal experts have called on states to pass laws like this, and many have done so. It’s high time Connecticut joins them. Many years from now – long after this current administration has passed into the dustbin of history – Connecticut residents will look back on this bill as one of the most important pieces of legislation advanced in this state in modern history. Today’s vote is one of the more consequential votes I’ve taken in my time here in the legislature, because this bill really goes beyond a few sections dealing with masks and nametags and investigatory powers. It really goes to who we are as a people, and as a democracy, and what we value and the lengths that we are willing to go through to protect what we hold dear. The issue of ICE violations of human and Constitutional rights has become a nationwide flashpoint, and today Connecticut planted its flag in the ground saying, “No more.’”

In May 2025, Deputy White House Chief of Staff Stephen Miller and former Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem ordered ICE to arrest up to 3,000 immigrants every day. Since then, rogue federal ICE agents have mounted an unprecedented national fear campaign of attacks on American citizens – including murder, kidnappings, assaults, violations of Constitutional rights, the vilification of all immigrants, and the politicized enforcement of the law.

Senate Bill 397 was first introduced in the Judiciary Committee on March 3, and had its public hearing on March 9, generating nearly 350 pieces of written testimony and 166 speakers during the 12.5-hour public hearing. The bill was widely supported, particularly by religious institutions.

S.B. 397:

Creates a private right of action in state court to sue federal, state, and local government actors when a person’s Constitutional rights are violated. This so-called “Converse-1983” provision is a term coined in 1987 that will allow court actions not currently available today against federal agents.
Allows the state Attorney General to take swift action to seek an injunction or declaratory relief, and damages, when federal, state, or local government agents are violating a person’s constitutional right. With court approval, the state Attorney General could acquire a temporary injunction in five days or less for ongoing violations or a policy that would violate a person’s Constitutional rights.
Clarifies that the state Inspector General can investigate and prosecute state, local, and some federal agents for the unauthorized use of deadly force. The bill also gives the IG clear and unrestricted access to a crime scene when law enforcement uses deadly force, or when a person dies from the use of force, and allows for a temporary injunction allowing the IG access to investigate and collect evidence.
Prohibits all law enforcement officers — federal, state, local — from covering their faces, albeit with some exceptions. The bill also requires them to wear a badge or name tag.
Prohibits law enforcement — federal, state, or local — from arresting someone for a civil offense in a protected area, unless there is a judicial warrant. This section takes effect October 1, 2026.
Eliminates a law enforcement officer’s immunity if they violate a person’s right to record law enforcement while committing assault, battery, false imprisonment, false arrest, abuse of process, or malicious prosecution.
Prevents law enforcement officers with less than 480 hours of training from becoming police officers in Connecticut (federal ICE officers receive about 376 hours of training).

S.B. 397 also tackles the growth of government use (not just by law enforcement) of automated license plate reader systems (ALPR) to ensure that driver data is being handled in a responsible way and not abused by those with bad intent. The bill allows ALPRs to be used for license plates on a “hot list,” but data cannot be held for more than 21 days without an active criminal investigation. License plate data cannot be used to determine race/ethnicity; any activity protected under the First Amendment; suspected immigration status; reproductive health care or gender affirming care; and it protects facilities that provide the above from having a fixed ALPR near them so that patients cannot be tracked for receiving care.

###

SENATOR CABRERA VOTES TO PASS BILL REINING IN ICE ABUSES IN CONNECTICUT

Posted on April 14, 2026 by sdozapier@senatedems.ct.gov

SENATOR CABRERA VOTES TO PASS BILL REINING IN ICE ABUSES IN CONNECTICUT

Sue ICE agents in state court for violating your rights, ban masks, give AG and IG broad new powers; Bill also addresses responsible use of license plate readers

HARTFORD – State Senator Jorge Cabrera (D-Hamden) today joined his Democratic state Senate colleagues in debating and passing Senate Bill 397, “AN ACT CONCERNING DEMOCRACY AND GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY,” that could help reduce in Connecticut some of the horrific human rights and Constitutional abuses already committed by federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in multiple cities and towns across America.

The bill passed on a purely partisan 24-10 vote, and now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration. Most all of its provisions take effect immediately.

SENATOR KUSHNER VOTES TO PASS BILL REINING IN ICE ABUSES IN CONNECTICUT

Posted on April 14, 2026 by sdozapier@senatedems.ct.gov

SENATOR KUSHNER VOTES TO PASS BILL REINING IN ICE ABUSES IN CONNECTICUT

Sue ICE agents in state court, ban masks, give AG and IG broad new powers; Bill also addresses responsible use of license plate readers

HARTFORD – State Senator Julie Kushner (D-Danbury) today joined her Democratic state Senate colleagues in debating and passing Senate Bill 397, “AN ACT CONCERNING DEMOCRACY AND GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY,” that could help reduce in Connecticut some of the horrific human rights and Constitutional abuses already committed by federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in multiple cities and towns across America.

The bill passed on a purely partisan 24-10 vote, and now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration. Most all of its provisions take effect immediately.

“My family and I have had a wonderful, wonderful life in Danbury for more than 30 years. Our friends come from so many different countries, from Ecuador, from the Dominican Republic, from Puerto Rico, from Thailand, from Vietnam. We have an incredibly rich immigrant story in Danbury,” said Sen. Kushner. “But their story is not the immigration story of our grandparents. That’s not the experience immigrants have today. What has changed is the persecution, the terror, of the people in my community. When would we ever think it’s okay for people who are in law enforcement to wear masks? When would we think it’s okay for them to come and grab people off the street? This isn’t the United States that I grew up in. I want to do something to change that. With this bill, it’s clear that we’re standing with the people, the good people, the honest people, the Latinos in our community, we’re standing with them. We’re saying, ‘We’re not gonna let them do this to you anymore’.”

S.B. 397:

Creates a private right of action in state court to sue federal, state, and local government actors when a person’s Constitutional rights are violated. This so-called “Converse-1983” provision is a term coined in 1987 that will allow court actions not currently available today against federal agents.
Allows the state Attorney General to take swift action to seek an injunction or declaratory relief, and damages, when federal, state, or local government agents are violating a person’s constitutional right. With court approval, the state Attorney General could acquire a temporary injunction in five days or less for ongoing violations or a policy that would violate a person’s Constitutional rights.
Clarifies that the state Inspector General can investigate and prosecute state, local, and some federal agents for the unauthorized use of deadly force. The bill also gives the IG clear and unrestricted access to a crime scene when law enforcement uses deadly force, or when a person dies from the use of force, and allows for a temporary injunction allowing the IG access to investigate and collect evidence.
Prohibits all law enforcement officers — federal, state, local — from covering their faces, albeit with some exceptions. The bill also requires them to wear a badge or name tag.
Prohibits law enforcement — federal, state, or local — from arresting someone for a civil offense in a protected area, unless there is a judicial warrant. This section takes effect October 1, 2026.
Eliminates a law enforcement officer’s immunity if they violate a person’s right to record law enforcement while committing assault, battery, false imprisonment, false arrest, abuse of process, or malicious prosecution.
Prevents law enforcement officers with less than 480 hours of training from becoming police officers in Connecticut (federal ICE officers receive about 376 hours of training).

###

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SENATOR ANWAR VOTES TO PASS BILL REINING IN ICE ABUSES IN CONNECTICUT

Posted on April 14, 2026 by sdozapier@senatedems.ct.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Joe O’Leary | Joe.OLeary@cga.ct.gov | 508-479-4969

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, April 14, 2026

SENATOR ANWAR VOTES TO PASS BILL REINING IN ICE ABUSES IN CONNECTICUT
Sue ICE agents in federal court, ban masks, give AG and IG broad new powers; Bill also addresses responsible use of license plate readers

HARTFORD – State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor) today joined his Democratic state Senate colleagues in voting to advance Senate Bill 397, “AN ACT CONCERNING DEMOCRACY AND GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY.” That bill could help Connecticut reduce and prevent some of the horrific human rights and Constitutional abuses already committed by federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in multiple cities and towns across America.

“An outright terror campaign against immigrants has led to dozens of deaths, hundreds of U.S. citizens arrested and detained, tens of thousands of people ripped from their homes without criminal records. It’s instilled a fear into communities across our state that is crippling and cruel,” said Sen. Anwar. “Today, the Senate takes vital and important action to protect Connecticut residents from this brazen overreach. We’re taking action to make sure federal law enforcement has to follow the same rules that state and local police do. We’re making sure our local residents who are mistreated have recourse against those mistreating them. Against a backdrop of lawless violence and widespread discrimination, this bill tells Connecticut residents their safety is paramount.”

For more than a year, rogue federal ICE agents have mounted an unprecedented national fear campaign of attacks on American citizens – including murder, kidnappings, assaults, violations of Constitutional rights, the vilification of all immigrants, and the politicized enforcement of the law.
Senate Bill 397 was first introduced in the Judiciary Committee on March 3, and had its public hearing on March 9, generating nearly 350 pieces of written testimony and 166 speakers during the 12.5-hour public hearing. The bill was widely supported, particularly by religious institutions.

S.B. 397:

Creates a private right of action in state court to sue federal, state, and local government actors when a person’s Constitutional rights are violated. This so-called “Converse-1983” provision is a term coined in 1987 that will allow court actions not currently available today against federal agents.
Allows the state Attorney General to take swift action to seek an injunction or declaratory relief, and damages, when federal, state, or local government agents are violating a person’s constitutional right. With court approval, the state Attorney General could acquire a temporary injunction in five days or less for ongoing violations or a policy that would violate a person’s Constitutional rights.
Clarifies that the state Inspector General can investigate and prosecute state, local, and some federal agents for the unauthorized use of deadly force. The bill also gives the IG clear and unrestricted access to a crime scene when law enforcement uses deadly force, or when a person dies from the use of force, and allows for a temporary injunction allowing the IG access to investigate and collect evidence.
Prohibits all law enforcement officers — federal, state, local — from covering their faces, albeit with some exceptions. The bill also requires them to wear a badge or name tag.
Prohibits law enforcement — federal, state, or local — from arresting someone for a civil offense in a protected area, unless there is a judicial warrant. This section takes effect October 1, 2026.
Eliminates a law enforcement officer’s immunity if they violate a person’s right to record law enforcement while committing assault, battery, false imprisonment, false arrest, abuse of process, or malicious prosecution.
Prevents law enforcement officers with less than 480 hours of training from becoming police officers in Connecticut (federal ICE officers receive about 376 hours of training).

S.B. 397 also tackles the growth of government use, not just by law enforcement, of automated license plate reader systems (ALPR) to ensure that driver data is being handled in a responsible way and not abused by those with bad intent. The bill allows ALPRs to be used for license plates on a “hot list,” but data cannot be held for more than 21 days without an active criminal investigation. License plate data cannot be used to determine race/ethnicity; any activity protected under the First Amendment; suspected immigration status; reproductive health care or gender affirming care; and it protects facilities that provide the above from having a fixed ALPR near them so that patients cannot be tracked for receiving care.

S.B. 397 now heads to the House of Representatives to be debated and passed and then signed into law by Governor Ned Lamont. Most of its provisions take effect immediately.

###

Senator Cohen Backs Bill Putting Guardrails on ICE in Connecticut

Posted on April 14, 2026 by sdozapier@senatedems.ct.gov

Senator Cohen Backs Bill Putting Guardrails on ICE in Connecticut

HARTFORD – Senator Christine Cohen (D-Guilford) today joined her Democratic state Senate colleagues in passing Senate Bill 397, legislation that could help reduce in Connecticut some of the horrific human rights and Constitutional abuses already committed by federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in multiple cities and towns across America.

The ICE bill creates a pathway – often referred to as a ‘converse-1983 action’ – for Connecticut citizens to sue ICE agents in state court if their Constitutional rights have been violated.

“What we have witnessed from ICE agents across this country is a systematic campaign of fear targeting not just undocumented immigrants, but American citizens whose only offense was being in the wrong place at the wrong time,” Senator Cohen said. “Connecticut has an obligation to give our residents the legal tools to hold those agents accountable when they violate Constitutional rights, because the Trump administration has made clear it will not do so itself. Today’s vote says plainly that in our state, no one, not even a federal agent, is above the law.”

S.B. 397:

Creates a private right of action in state court to sue federal, state, and local government actors when a person’s Constitutional rights are violated. This so-called “Converse-1983” provision is a term coined in 1987 that will allow court actions not currently available today against federal agents.
Allows the state Attorney General to take swift action to seek an injunction or declaratory relief, and damages, when federal, state, or local government agents are violating a person’s constitutional right. With court approval, the state Attorney General could acquire a temporary injunction in five days or less for ongoing violations or a policy that would violate a person’s Constitutional rights.
Clarifies that the state Inspector General can investigate and prosecute state, local, and some federal agents for the unauthorized use of deadly force. The bill also gives the IG clear and unrestricted access to a crime scene when law enforcement uses deadly force, or when a person dies from the use of force, and allows for a temporary injunction allowing the IG access to investigate and collect evidence.
Prohibits all law enforcement officers — federal, state, local — from covering their faces, albeit with some exceptions. The bill also requires them to wear a badge or name tag.
Prohibits law enforcement — federal, state, or local — from arresting someone for a civil offense in a protected area, unless there is a judicial warrant. This section takes effect October 1, 2026.
Eliminates a law enforcement officer’s immunity if they violate a person’s right to record law enforcement while committing assault, battery, false imprisonment, false arrest, abuse of process, or malicious prosecution.
Prevents law enforcement officers with less than 480 hours of training from becoming police officers in Connecticut (federal ICE officers receive about 376 hours of training).

S.B. 397 now heads to the House of Representatives to be debated and passed and then signed into law by Governor Ned Lamont. Most of its provisions take effect immediately.

SENATOR MARX VOTES TO PASS BILL REINING IN ICE ABUSES IN CONNECTICUT

Posted on April 14, 2026 by sdozapier@senatedems.ct.gov

SENATOR MARX VOTES TO PASS BILL REINING IN ICE ABUSES IN CONNECTICUT

Sue ICE agents in state court, ban masks, give AG and IG broad new powers; Bill also addresses responsible use of license plate readers

HARTFORD – State Senator Martha Marx (D-New London) today joined her Democratic state Senate colleagues in voting to advance Senate Bill 397, “AN ACT CONCERNING DEMOCRACY AND GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY.” That bill could help Connecticut reduce and prevent some of the horrific human rights and Constitutional abuses already committed by federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in multiple cities and towns across America.

“The last 15 months have been a horror show with federal agents brutalizing, detaining, even killing innocent people and American citizens. Amid a culture of lawlessness, we have the moral imperative to take action and protect our constituents,” said Sen. Marx. “This bill tells ICE agents they need to follow the same rules other law enforcement officers in Connecticut do. It puts important steps in place to hold federal agents who violate the Constitution accountable. We’re taking a necessary step to tell our state’s residents that we have their backs.”

S.B. 397:

Creates a private right of action in state court to sue federal, state, and local government actors when a person’s Constitutional rights are violated. This so-called “Converse-1983” provision is a term coined in 1987 that will allow court actions not currently available today against federal agents.
Allows the state Attorney General to take swift action to seek an injunction or declaratory relief, and damages, when federal, state, or local government agents are violating a person’s constitutional right. With court approval, the state Attorney General could acquire a temporary injunction in five days or less for ongoing violations or a policy that would violate a person’s Constitutional rights.
Clarifies that the state Inspector General can investigate and prosecute state, local, and some federal agents for the unauthorized use of deadly force. The bill also gives the IG clear and unrestricted access to a crime scene when law enforcement uses deadly force, or when a person dies from the use of force, and allows for a temporary injunction allowing the IG access to investigate and collect evidence.
Prohibits all law enforcement officers — federal, state, local — from covering their faces, albeit with some exceptions. The bill also requires them to wear a badge or name tag.
Prohibits law enforcement — federal, state, or local — from arresting someone for a civil offense in a protected area, unless there is a judicial warrant. This section takes effect October 1, 2026.
Eliminates a law enforcement officer’s immunity if they violate a person’s right to record law enforcement while committing assault, battery, false imprisonment, false arrest, abuse of process, or malicious prosecution.
Prevents law enforcement officers with less than 480 hours of training from becoming police officers in Connecticut (federal ICE officers receive about 376 hours of training).

S.B. 397 now heads to the House of Representatives to be debated and passed and then signed into law by Governor Ned Lamont. Most of its provisions take effect immediately.

###

SENATOR MAHER VOTES TO PASS BILL REINING IN ICE ABUSES IN CONNECTICUT

Posted on April 14, 2026 by sdozapier@senatedems.ct.gov

SENATOR MAHER VOTES TO PASS BILL REINING IN ICE ABUSES IN CONNECTICUT

Sue ICE agents in federal court, ban masks, give AG and IG broad new powers; Bill also addresses responsible use of license plate readers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, April 14, 2026

HARTFORD – State Senator Ceci Maher (D-Wilton) today joined her Democratic state Senate colleagues in voting to advance Senate Bill 397, “AN ACT CONCERNING DEMOCRACY AND GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY.” That bill could help Connecticut reduce and prevent some of the horrific human rights and Constitutional abuses already committed by federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in multiple cities and towns across America.

“We’ve watched in horror as courthouses, businesses and even city streets have become targets for ICE agents to go after immigrants – regardless of legal status, regardless of criminal record, discriminating against valued members of our communities,” said Sen. Maher. “This lawlessness must be met with action. Connecticut lawmakers are dedicated to protecting our state’s residents and providing restitution when they’re mistreated. Federal law enforcement needs to follow the same rules that our state and local police do. Today, we’re making sure that happens.”

S.B. 397:

Creates a private right of action in state court to sue federal, state, and local government actors when a person’s Constitutional rights are violated. This so-called “Converse-1983” provision is a term coined in 1987 that will allow court actions not currently available today against federal agents.
Allows the state Attorney General to take swift action to seek an injunction or declaratory relief, and damages, when federal, state, or local government agents are violating a person’s constitutional right. With court approval, the state Attorney General could acquire a temporary injunction in five days or less for ongoing violations or a policy that would violate a person’s Constitutional rights.
Clarifies that the state Inspector General can investigate and prosecute state, local, and some federal agents for the unauthorized use of deadly force. The bill also gives the IG clear and unrestricted access to a crime scene when law enforcement uses deadly force, or when a person dies from the use of force, and allows for a temporary injunction allowing the IG access to investigate and collect evidence.
Prohibits all law enforcement officers — federal, state, local — from covering their faces, albeit with some exceptions. The bill also requires them to wear a badge or name tag.
Prohibits law enforcement — federal, state, or local — from arresting someone for a civil offense in a protected area, unless there is a judicial warrant. This section takes effect October 1, 2026.
Eliminates a law enforcement officer’s immunity if they violate a person’s right to record law enforcement while committing assault, battery, false imprisonment, false arrest, abuse of process, or malicious prosecution.
Prevents law enforcement officers with less than 480 hours of training from becoming police officers in Connecticut (federal ICE officers receive about 376 hours of training).

S.B. 397 now heads to the House of Representatives to be debated and passed and then signed into law by Governor Ned Lamont. Almost all its provisions take effect immediately.

###

Senator MD Rahman Votes to Pass Bill Reining in ICE Abuses in Connecticut

Posted on April 14, 2026 by sdozapier@senatedems.ct.gov

Senator MD Rahman Votes to Pass Bill Reining in ICE Abuses in Connecticut

HARTFORD – Senator MD Rahman (D-Manchester), Senate Chair of the Planning and Development Committee, today joined his Democratic state Senate colleagues in passing Senate Bill 397, legislation that could help reduce in Connecticut some of the horrific human rights and Constitutional abuses already committed by federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in multiple cities and towns across America.

The ICE bill creates a pathway, often referred to as a “converse-1983 action,” for Connecticut citizens to sue ICE agents in state court if their Constitutional rights have been violated.

“As an immigrant myself, I know firsthand what it means to build a life in this country and to trust that the law will treat you with dignity and fairness,” Senator Rahman said. “What we have seen from federal ICE agents across this country, the warrantless arrests, the masked agents, the violation of basic Constitutional rights, is an assault on everything this country is supposed to stand for. This bill gives Connecticut residents a real path to justice and sends a clear message that we will not stand by while those rights are trampled.”

In May 2025, Deputy White House Chief of Staff Stephen Miller and former Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem ordered ICE to arrest up to 3,000 immigrants every day. Since then, rogue federal ICE agents have mounted an unprecedented national fear campaign of attacks on American citizens, including murder, kidnappings, assaults, violations of Constitutional rights, the vilification of all immigrants, and the politicized enforcement of the law.

S.B. 397:

Creates a private right of action in state court to sue federal, state, and local government actors when a person’s Constitutional rights are violated. This so-called “Converse-1983” provision is a term coined in 1987 that will allow court actions not currently available today against federal agents.
Allows the state Attorney General to take swift action to seek an injunction or declaratory relief, and damages, when federal, state, or local government agents are violating a person’s constitutional right. With court approval, the state Attorney General could acquire a temporary injunction in five days or less for ongoing violations or a policy that would violate a person’s Constitutional rights.
Clarifies that the state Inspector General can investigate and prosecute state, local, and some federal agents for the unauthorized use of deadly force. The bill also gives the IG clear and unrestricted access to a crime scene when law enforcement uses deadly force, or when a person dies from the use of force, and allows for a temporary injunction allowing the IG access to investigate and collect evidence.
Prohibits all law enforcement officers, federal, state, and local, from covering their faces, albeit with some exceptions. The bill also requires them to wear a badge or name tag.
Prohibits law enforcement, federal, state, or local, from arresting someone for a civil offense in a protected area, unless there is a judicial warrant. This section takes effect October 1, 2026.
Eliminates a law enforcement officer’s immunity if they violate a person’s right to record law enforcement while committing assault, battery, false imprisonment, false arrest, abuse of process, or malicious prosecution.
Prevents law enforcement officers with less than 480 hours of training from becoming police officers in Connecticut (federal ICE officers receive about 376 hours of training).

S.B. 397 also tackles the growth of government use of automated license plate reader systems (ALPR) to ensure that driver data is being handled in a responsible way and not abused by those with bad intent. The bill allows ALPRs to be used for license plates on a “hot list,” but data cannot be held for more than 21 days without an active criminal investigation. License plate data cannot be used to determine race/ethnicity; any activity protected under the First Amendment; suspected immigration status; reproductive health care or gender affirming care; and it protects facilities that provide the above from having a fixed ALPR near them so that patients cannot be tracked for receiving care.

S.B. 397 now heads to the House of Representatives to be debated and passed and then signed into law by Governor Ned Lamont. Most of its provisions take effect immediately.