Sen. Kelly: Democrat bill shows hypocrisy when it comes to protecting victims

May 18, 2021

Sen. Kelly: Democrat bill shows hypocrisy when it comes to protecting victims - CT Senate Republic

Senate Republican Leader Kevin Kelly (R-Stratford) released the following statement supporting a bill to increase protections for domestic violence victims, and questioning Democrats’ intentions to also vote on a bill that wipes clean the records of individuals convicted of violent crimes:

 

“On the same day Democrats intend to hold a vote on a bill to help domestic violence victims, they also intend to vote on a bill that will wipe clean the records of people who have been convicted of crimes including strangulation, abuse and stalking,” said Sen. Kelly.

 

“I support increasing protections for domestic violence victims and supporting survivors and applaud the efforts of Senate Bill 1091. But at the same time lawmakers are working to strengthen protections for victims of violence, Democrats want to wipe clean the records of those convicted of violent crimes including Class D and E felonies. What kind of message does that send to victims of crimes?”

 

Senate Bill 1091 expands the definition of domestic violence to include coercive control and includes various policy changes to support and protect victims.

 

Senate Bill 1019, the “clean slate” bill, on the other hand wipes clean the records of individuals seven years after being convicted of a crime including misdemeanors and class D and E felonies.  Examples of such crimes include the following:

  • Strangulation or suffocation 2nd degree
  • Stalking 1st degree
  • Assault of an elderly, blind, disabled, or pregnant person or person with intellectual disability 2nd degree
  • Assault of an elderly, blind, disabled, or pregnant person or person with intellectual disability 2nd degree with a firearm
  • Assault 2nd degree (not resulting in serious physical injury)
  • Assault 2nd degree with a firearm (not resulting in serious physical injury)
  • Criminal violation of protective order
  • Criminal violation of standing criminal protective order
  • Criminal violation of restraining order
  • Threatening 1st degree
  • Sexual assault 3rd degree (victim age 16 or older)
  • Sexual assault 4th degree (victim under age 16)
  • Burglary 3rd degree with a firearm
  • Possessing child pornography 3rd degree
  • Abuse of an elderly, blind, or disabled person or person with intellectual disability 2nd degree