Connecticut Seal

House Bill No. 5148

Public Act No. 12-124

AN ACT CONCERNING COMMUNICATIONS TO VICTIMS OF THE CRIMINAL OPERATION OF A MOTOR VEHICLE THAT RESULTS IN DEATH OR SERIOUS PHYSICAL INJURY.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:

Section 1. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2012) Any person convicted of a motor vehicle offense that resulted in the death or serious physical injury of another person may, prior to sentencing for the offense, make a statement, affirmation, gesture or expression of apology, fault, sympathy, commiseration, condolence, compassion or a general sense of benevolence to the victim of such offense, a relative of the victim or a representative of the victim. Such statement, affirmation, gesture or expression shall be made before the court in a courtroom closed to the public at a time set by the court. Such statement, affirmation, gesture or expression shall be inadmissible as evidence of an admission of liability or as evidence of an admission against interest in any civil or criminal proceeding. For the purposes of this section, "serious physical injury" has the same meaning as provided in section 53a-3 of the general statutes.

Approved June 15, 2012