In April 2014, my sister-in-law, Johana Gallego, was murdered in New Britain, Connecticut, by her husband. Her life and her memory are at the heart of this petition.

I’m Crystalee Castillo, the organizer of this petition and a domestic violence survivor. I am bringing this proposal forward because I believe Connecticut should explore additional ways to make information about qualifying domestic violence offenders accessible to the public.

Why Connecticut Needs Johana’s Law? 
Domestic violence can have devastating and lasting consequences for individuals, families, and communities. Access to reliable information about qualifying criminal convictions could give members of the public another resource when making informed decisions about their safety.

Connecticut needs to consider whether a statewide, publicly accessible domestic violence offender registry could help address this need through a clear, legally defined system with appropriate safeguards.

What Is Johana’s Law?
Johana’s Law is a proposal to establish a statewide public registry based on qualifying domestic violence-related criminal convictions.

The proposed registry would:

• Be accessible to the public throughout Connecticut. 
• Apply regardless of gender.
• Be based on qualifying criminal convictions, not allegations or protective orders alone.
• Establish clear eligibility criteria and procedures for maintaining accurate information.
• Include appropriate safeguards concerning privacy, accuracy, and the fair administration of the registry.

Tennessee’s Savanna’s Law is the primary legislative model informing this proposal.

Florida’s Volusia County Domestic Abuse Offender Database also offers an additional approach for Connecticut to research and consider.

What I Am Asking Connecticut Lawmakers to Do? 

• I’m calling on the Connecticut General Assembly to examine, develop, and enact legislation establishing Johana’s Law: a statewide, publicly accessible domestic violence offender registry based on qualifying criminal convictions.
• I also urge Connecticut lawmakers to research existing models, consider appropriate eligibility requirements and safeguards, and determine how such a registry could be implemented responsibly and effectively in our state.

Help Keep Johana’s Memory Alive 
Johana’s Law is about honoring Johana Gallego’s memory by advocating for a public resource that Connecticut does not currently have in this proposed statewide form.

Please sign this petition and help bring this issue to the attention of Connecticut lawmakers. Share it with your family, friends, and community so more people can learn about Johana’s Law and support the call for legislative action.

Johana’s memory deserves to be honored through meaningful action. Let’s ask Connecticut to take this proposal seriously.