Sen. Kissel Leads Passage of Domestic Violence Legislation on Senate Floor

HARTFORD, Conn. – Today State Senator and Co-Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, John A. Kissel (R-Enfield), led the Senate passage of Senate Bill 466 – An Act Concerning Dual Arrests and the Training Required of Law Enforcement Personnel with Respect to Domestic Violence. The bill would add a dominant aggressor provision to the law in an effort to reduce Connecticut’s intimate partner violence dual arrest rate, which currently stands at more than twice the national average.

Under the bill, a dominant aggressor is the person who poses the most serious ongoing threat in a situation involving a suspected family violence crime.

“I am happy to report that tonight the Senate passed an important piece of legislation that will ultimately protect victims of domestic violence and their children,” said Sen. Kissel, Co-Chair of the Judiciary Committee. “These dual arrests can have a devastating impact on a victim not only financially, but emotionally – that is why this bill is so important. The bill protects women, it protects children and at the end of the day it helps protect Connecticut families.

The bill calls for changing Connecticut’s family violence arrest law to clarify that when receiving complaints from two or more opposing parties, law enforcement must determine which party is the dominant aggressor; similar laws exists in 27 other states.

“This legislation will make victims of domestic violence feel less apprehensive to call law enforcement when they are in danger, without fear of being arrested themselves,” said Sen. Kissel. “I look forward to continuing to support this legislation as it makes its way through the House.”