(a) There is established a Commission on Racial and Ethnic Disparity in the Criminal Justice System. The commission shall consist of the Chief Court Administrator, the Chief State’s Attorney, the Chief Public Defender, the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection, the Commissioner of Correction, the Commissioner of Children and Families, the Child Advocate, the Victim Advocate, the chairperson of the Board of Pardons and Paroles, the chairperson of the Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity and Opportunity, or their designees, two members of the Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity and Opportunity designated by the executive director of the commission, a representative of municipal police chiefs, a representative of a coalition representing police and correctional officers, six members appointed one each by the president pro tempore of the Senate, the speaker of the House of Representatives, the majority leader of the Senate, the majority leader of the House of Representatives, the minority leader of the Senate and the minority leader of the House of Representatives, and two members appointed by the Governor. The Chief Court Administrator or said administrator’s designee shall serve as chairperson of the commission. The commission shall meet quarterly and at such other times as the chairperson deems necessary.

Terms Used In Connecticut General Statutes 51-10c

  • Majority leader: see Floor Leaders
  • Minority leader: See Floor Leaders
  • President pro tempore: A constitutionally recognized officer of the Senate who presides over the chamber in the absence of the Vice President. The President Pro Tempore (or, "president for a time") is elected by the Senate and is, by custom, the Senator of the majority party with the longest record of continuous service.
  • Public defender: Represent defendants who can't afford an attorney in criminal matters.
  • Victim advocate: work with prosecutors and assist the victims of a crime.

(b) The mission of the commission shall be to address the overrepresentation of racial and ethnic minorities, with particular attention to African-Americans and Latinos, in the state’s criminal justice system, and shall include consideration of the impact of such racial and ethnic disparity on minority communities. The commission shall:

(1) Sponsor conferences, forums and educational and training programs on the causes, effects and implications of racial and ethnic disparity in the state’s criminal justice system;

(2) Collaborate with national, state and local organizations and institutions to identify strategies for reducing racial and ethnic disparity in the state’s criminal justice system;

(3) Develop, evaluate and recommend promising and emerging policies and practices, including any legislation to implement such policies and practices;

(4) Determine whether any statutory provision negatively impacts the racial and ethnic disparity in the state’s criminal justice system and recommend statutory changes to the Governor and General Assembly to reduce such impact;

(5) Make recommendations to the Governor, the General Assembly and state and local agencies and organizations on the implementation of any such strategy, policy, practice or legislative change; and

(6) Assess the impact of any implementation of such strategies, policies, practices or legislative changes.

(c) Not later than January 15, 2017, and biennially thereafter, the commission shall report, in accordance with the provisions of § 11-4a, to the Governor and the General Assembly concerning the activities and accomplishments of the commission. Such report shall cover the time period since the previous report.