Minutes of the Meeting of July 20, 2015
Office of the Chief State’s Attorney
Rocky Hill, Connecticut

The meeting was called to order at 12:47 p.m. by Chief State’s Attorney Kevin T. Kane.

In attendance were: Deputy Chief State’s Attorneys Leonard C. Boyle and John J. Russotto; State’s Attorneys Michael Dearington (New Haven), Patricia M. Froehlich (Windham), Matthew C. Gedansky (Tolland), Gail P. Hardy (Hartford), Kevin D. Lawlor (Ansonia-Milford), Peter A. McShane (Middlesex), Maureen Platt (Waterbury), Brian Preleski (New Britain), Michael L. Regan (New London), David Shepack (Litchfield) and John C. Smriga (Fairfield) and Senior Assistant State’s Attorneys Paul Ferencek (Stamford-Norwalk) and Colleen P. Zingaro (Danbury).

Also present: Executive Assistant State’s Attorneys Brian Austin, Jr., and Michael A. Gailor, legislative liaison Wilfred Blanchette and Communications and Legislative Specialist Mark A. Dupuis.

State’s Attorney Froehlich made a motion to accept the minutes of the June 15, 2015, meeting. The motion was seconded by Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Boyle and passed unanimously.

State’s Attorney Platt explained provisions of Public Act 15-207 governing the transfer of sex assault evidence kits to the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection Forensic Science Laboratory. State’s Attorney Platt introduced guest Laura Cordes, Executive Director of Connecticut Sexual Assault Crisis Services, for further explanation of the new law. The State’s Attorneys were asked to notify police departments that the deadlines established by the public act should be applied effective immediately. State’s Attorney Platt thanked CONNSACS for work on a survey to determine the number of untested kits in Connecticut.

Chief State’s Attorney Kane reported on the passage and implementation of Public Act 15-4, June Special Session (An Act Concerning Excessive Use of Force). Chief State’s Attorney Kane is serving on a committee of the Police Officer Standards and Training Council (POST) that will develop policies to further implement the act. The State’s Attorneys’ Operations Committee will examine Division policy with regard to the logistics of the immediate Division response to use of force incidents resulting in death to determine if the policy needs revision as a result of the new law.

State’s Attorney Platt reported on concerns raised by the Public Defender in Waterbury and the Office of the Chief Public Defender regarding discovery. The State’s Attorneys were advised to be alert if the issue arises in other judicial districts.

State’s Attorney Preleski reported that the Freedom of Information Commission has scheduled a hearing for July 29, 2015, to hear his appeal requesting disclosure by the Board of Pardons and Paroles of the names of prison inmates who were sentenced many years ago to life in prison and although previously were told they were not eligible for parole are now considered eligible.

State’s Attorney Preleski further reported that the parole board had relayed concerns about receiving sentencing transcripts. Executive Assistant State’s Attorney Austin reported that the board has made no such concerns known to the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney.

There was brief discussion of the Governor’s "Second Chance Society" legislation (Public Act 15-2, June Special Session, An Act Implementing Provisions of the State Budget for the Biennium Ending June 30, 2017, Concerning General Government Provisions Related to Criminal Justice). Chief State’s Attorney Kane reported that Mike Lawlor, Under Secretary of the Criminal Justice Policy and Planning Division in the Office of Policy and Management, has asked to attend the next meeting to speak about the legislation.

Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Russotto reported that the approved budget for the 2015-16 fiscal year represents a loss to the Division of 12 positions, down from the 30 proposed for elimination in the Governor’s proposed budget. Discussions continue to determine which positions will be filled.

Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Boyle reported that Chief Inspector James Hankard is preparing a mandatory training program for all Inspectors. The State’s Attorneys are asked to relay the importance of the training to all Inspectors.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 2:07 p.m.