1. Does the state consider other criminal history records beyond the federal list of convictions barring people from becoming foster and/or adoptive parents?
Yes, for both foster care and adoption. New applicants and applicants for renewal will be barred for any one of several crimes against a minor, firearm convictions, and for convictions for possession, use, or sale of a controlled substance. The state may also bar any applicant for any conviction it believes makes the home “unsuitable.” Conn. Agencies Regs. § 17a-150-110.

2. Does the state restrict people from becoming foster and/or adoptive parents for longer than required by federal law?
Yes, for both foster care and adoption. Yes, the statute is silent on the length of the bars for both foster care and adoption so they appear to operate as lifetime bars. However, the regulation only bars new applicants for five years after convictions for controlled substances. Conn. Agencies Regs. § 17a-150-110(a)(4).

3. May applicants be barred by the convictions of other household members?
Yes, applicants may be barred if other household members have any of the convictions that would disqualify the applicant if s/he were the one convicted. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 17a-150-110(a) and (b).

4. Does the state make individual determinations about an applicant's eligibility based on the criminal record?
The state only makes individual determinations if the applicant or a member of the applicant’s household is awaiting trial for any of the offenses above, the state agency believes placement in the applicant’s home to be unsuitable, or the applicant has a current neglect or abuse proceeding pending. Conn. Agencies Regs. § 17a-150-110(c).

1. Is there a time limit after which criminal history information is not reported to non-law enforcement entities for employment purposes?
No, not unless the conviction has been erased. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 54-142g(c). Criminal justice agencies that collect criminal record history information have the right to reject employment based on criminal history screens. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 54-142i(a).

2. Other than the subject and criminal justice agencies, who can obtain records?
Any agency and the general public. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 54-142k(c).

3. What types of records can be disclosed to non-criminal justice agencies?
Arrest, indictment, and sentencing information pertaining to all convictions for lesser criminal offenses than misdemeanors, misdemeanors, and felonies. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 54-142k. Not included on the public rap sheet are youthful offender adjudications; continuances (failure to prosecute) which are more than 13 months old; and information that has been erased which may include arrests that have been dismissed or nolle prossed, acquittals, absolute pardons, crimes for which the behavior has later been decriminalized, and juvenile delinquency and juvenile conviction records. Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 54-142a and 142g(e)

4. Are there penalties for violating limitations on dissemination?
No.

5. Are state criminal records available on the internet?
No, however, the form is available online at http://www.ct.gov/dps/lib/dps/reports_and_records/DPS-0846-C.pdf.

6. Can state criminal records of arrests not leading to conviction be sealed (including expunged, erased, or purged)?
Yes. Arrests that have resulted in dismissal, nolle prosse, or acquittal can be erased. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 54-142a.

7. If so, what is the effect of having an arrest sealed?
The individual may answer that s/he has never been arrested. Cislo v. City of Shelton, 692 A.2d 1255, 261 (Conn. 1997).

8. Can criminal conviction records be sealed (including expunged, erased, or purged)?
While youthful offender, juvenile delinquency and juvenile conviction records can be erased following applicable waiting periods, Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 46b-146, 54-76o, and 54-142b, adult criminal records may be erased only through an absolute pardon when the behavior for which the individual was prosecuted has later been decriminalized. Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 54-142a(g), d.

9. If so, what is the effect of having a conviction sealed?
If erased, the individual may deny the existence of the adjudication or conviction. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 31-51i. In addition, the state may not disclose the existence of a juvenile conviction that has been erased. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 54-142(c).

1. Does the state revoke or suspend the drivers' licenses of people convicted of drug-related offenses?
Yes, the state does revoke drivers’ licenses for drug-related offenses. Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 14-227a(g)(h).

2. If so, what crime(s) result in suspension or revocation?
Driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 14-227a(a).

3. If so, what is the length of the suspension or revocation?
One year to life, depending upon the number of convictions within a specified period of time. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 14-227a(h).

4. Does the state offer restricted drivers' licenses for purposes of employment, education, and/or medical care?
No.

1. Can employers ask job applicants about arrests not leading to conviction?
No, applicants are not required to disclose information about arrests that did not lead to conviction, which are automatically sealed under Connecticut law. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 31-51i.

2. Can employers consider arrests not leading to conviction?
No. Employers cannot obtain nor consider applicant information concerning arrests that do not lead to convictions. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 31-51i.

3. Does the state have standards prohibiting employment discrimination by public employers and occupational licensing agencies based on a conviction record?
Yes, before refusing employment, public employers and occupational licensing authorities must consider the following three factors: (1) the nature of the crime and its relationship to the job (2) information pertaining to rehabilitation and (3) the time elapsed since the conviction or release. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46a-80(b). Public and private employers may not deny employment solely on the basis of a conviction record for which the person subsequently received an absolute pardon. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 31-51i.

4. Does the state have standards prohibiting employment discrimination by private employers based on a conviction record?
Yes. It is the policy of the state to encourage all employers to give favorable consideration to providing jobs to qualified individuals, including those who may have criminal conviction records. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46a-79.

5. Does the state restrict people with criminal records from employment in the field of home health care?
No.

6. After an individual has been convicted, does the state offer any mechanism to demonstrate that an individual has been rehabilitated?
In 2006, Connecticut created a provisional pardon under state law. A person may apply for a provisional pardon at any time after the conviction to remove employment barriers. A provisional pardon does not erase the criminal history or relieve the person from disclosure of criminal history. Conn. Gen. Stat. §54-130a; see also Connecticut Board of Parole website, available at: http://www.ct.gov/doc/lib/doc/PDF/form/PardonFormerOffender.doc. A person may seek a full pardon three years after the date of disposition for misdemeanor convictions and five years after for a felony conviction. If granted, a full pardon will erase the official criminal record. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 54-142d; see also Connecticut Board of Parole website, available at: http://www.ct.gov/doc/lib/doc/PDF/form/PardonFormerOffender.doc.

1. Are people with drug-felony convictions dated after 1996 eligible to receive TANF benefits and food stamps?
Yes. Connecticut has modified the federal drug felon ban. An individual is eligible if s/he has completed the sentence, is on probation, or is in the process of completing or has completed court-mandated substance abuse treatment. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 17b-112d.

1. Does the Housing Authority consider arrests that did not lead to conviction in its admission criteria?
Yes, the Hartford Public Housing Authority considers arrests.

2. Does the Housing Authority make individual determinations about an applicant's eligibility based upon the relevance of the criminal record?
Yes, in most cases, if a person can demonstrate that s/he has completed drug or alcohol treatment, the bar will be lifted. But a mandatory bar exists for tenants evicted for selling drugs on public housing property.

3. How long is the conviction bar(s)?
The length of the mandatory bar for selling drugs on public housing property is three years.

1. Does the state grant people with criminal records the right to vote?
Yes, people who have completed their sentences or who are on probation have the right to vote. However, people who are incarcerated or on parole are ineligible to vote. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 9-46a(a)