Alessia’s Law

Proposed Connecticut Child Protection and Family Accountability Act

Purpose

The purpose of Alessia’s Law is to improve child safety by ensuring that family courts receive critical information when a parent has:
 1. Been convicted of a criminal offense involving harm or risk of harm to a child; or
 2. Been substantiated by the Department of Children and Families for neglect or abuse.

This law establishes mandatory communication between criminal court, family court, and child welfare agencies so that protective measures, therapeutic intervention, and rehabilitative services can be implemented to safeguard children while preserving opportunities for safe and structured parent-child relationships when appropriate.

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Legislative Findings

The Connecticut General Assembly finds that:
 • Children can remain vulnerable after a parent is criminally convicted of offenses involving harm to minors.
 • Family courts are not always automatically notified of criminal convictions or substantiated DCF findings involving a parent.
 • A lack of communication between systems may leave children without adequate protections, therapeutic supports, or supervised safeguards.
 • Rehabilitation and accountability are essential components of preventing repeated trauma to children.
 • Courts should have access to complete information necessary to make decisions in the best interest of the child.

Section 1 — Mandatory Criminal Court Notification

Whenever a parent or legal guardian is convicted of:
 • Risk of Injury to a Minor under Connecticut law;
 • Any felony offense involving abuse, assault, neglect, endangerment, or harm toward a child; or
 • Any domestic violence offense committed in the presence of or against a child,

the criminal court shall, within 10 business days, transmit certified documentation of the conviction to:
 • Any active family court handling custody, visitation, or parenting matters involving the child; and
 • The Department of Children and Families.

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Section 2 — Mandatory DCF Disclosure to Family Court

When the Department of Children and Families substantiates a parent or legal guardian for:
 • Neglect,
 • Physical abuse,
 • Emotional abuse,
 • Exposure to domestic violence, or
 • Failure to protect a child from harm,

DCF shall provide relevant substantiation findings and safety recommendations to any active family court overseeing custody or visitation matters involving the child.

This disclosure shall occur within 10 business days of substantiation or upon identification of an active family court matter.

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Section 3 — Family Court Protective Authority

Upon receipt of documentation under this Act, the family court shall review whether protective provisions are necessary in the best interest of the child, including but not limited to:
 • Supervised visitation;
 • Therapeutic visitation;
 • Temporary parenting limitations;
 • Child trauma counseling;
 • Parenting education programs;
 • Anger management treatment;
 • Mental health evaluations;
 • Family reunification therapy; and
 • Other rehabilitative or protective services deemed appropriate by the court.

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Section 4 — Mandatory Rehabilitative Participation

Any parent subject to findings under this Act may be ordered to participate in rehabilitative services prior to expanded visitation or custody consideration, including:
 • Parenting classes;
 • Trauma-informed counseling;
 • Individual psychotherapy;
 • Domestic violence intervention;
 • Substance abuse treatment when applicable; and
 • Child-centered reunification services.

Completion of services may be considered in future custody and visitation determinations.

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Section 5 — Child-Centered Standards

All proceedings conducted under Alessia’s Law shall prioritize:
 • The physical safety of the child;
 • Emotional and psychological well-being;
 • Trauma-informed decision making;
 • Long-term family stabilization where safely possible; and
 • Prevention of repeated harm.

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Statement of Advocacy Purpose

Alessia’s Law was inspired by the experience of a child harmed by a parent yet left without court-ordered therapeutic intervention, rehabilitative accountability, or meaningful family court protections after criminal proceedings concluded.

This legislation seeks to close dangerous communication gaps between systems and ensure that no child falls through the cracks after documented abuse, neglect, or endangerment

Please sign this petition to protect our children in Connecticut 🥰