End qualified immunity in Connecticut

Case Studies

Bills and Legislation

Introduced in 2020

Passed

The Connecticut statewide law still allows qualified immunity to be used as a defense when “at the time of the conduct complained of, the police officer had an objectively good faith belief that such officer's conduct did not violate the law." This is a substantial loophole.

Legislation details Graded rubric

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(2/4legislation passed)

  • ✗
    Ends Qualified Immunity for all law enforcement officers

    No, the bill does not meet the standard.

  • ✗
    Ends Qualified Immunity for all public employees

    No, the bill does not meet the standard.

  • ✓
    Ends Qualified Immunity for all state constitutional violations

    Yes, section 2b of the bill states, "No police officer, acting alone or in conspiracy with another, shall deprive any person or class of persons of the equal protection of the laws of this state, or of the equal privileges and immunities under the laws of this state, including, without limitation, the protections, **privileges and immunities guaranteed under article first of the Constitution of the state."**

  • ✓
    Ends monetary caps on all public liability amounts

    Yes, section 2c of the bill states, "(c) Any person aggrieved by a violation of subsection (b) of this  section **may bring a civil action for equitable relief or damages in the  Superior Court. **A civil action brought for damages shall be triable by  jury."

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(1.5/5legislation passed)

  • ✗
    Implements a failure-to-intervene clause

    No, the bill does not meet the standard.

  • ✓
    Guarantees that victims are compensated the full amount awarded

    Yes, section 2e of the bill states, "In an action under this section, each municipality or law enforcement unit **shall protect and save harmless any such police officer from financial loss and expense, including legal fees and costs, if any, arising out of any claim, demand or suit instituted against such officer by reason of any act undertaken by such officer while acting in the discharge of the officer's duties**."

  • ✗
    Starts attorney fees

    No, the bill does not meet the standard.

  • ✗
    Starts holding individual employees accountable

    No, the bill does not meet the standard.

  • ✓
    Starts disclosing public records

    The bill partially meets the standard. Section 1-210 of Connecticut's Freedom of Information Act makes it more challenging to obtain public records, although the precedent in the state ensures that requests for records are generally granted. However, due to limitations such as protections granted to state troopers, records are only accessible if the complaints are sustained.

Case studies in Connecticut

Qualified immunity impacts everyone. Officers in your state are violating community members’ rights without consequence.

Explore the map below to discover examples and stories where you live.

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