NARSOL State Reports

The executive director of Connecticut's One Standard of Justice, just returned from the NARSOL Atlanta conference, reports reconnecting with the national community and in particular the advocates who were there for her at the beginning of her journey. Seeing many familiar faces of connections that were made almost ten years ago and are still in the fight was priceless.

Our Fearless support group continues to meet on the third Wednesday of the month at 8:00 PM EST; all people on the registry anywhere and their loved ones are welcome to join us. Register here: OneStandardOfJustice.org/Fearless

OSJ's legislative work continues as language and research is completed over the summer to support our 2025 proposals to three bills: to decriminalize late address verification letters and homelessness, to provide judicial review for early termination of probation, and to remove those people who were unlawfully placed on the registry between 1988-1998. There have been many arrests recently for late verification letters; we encourage people to connect with us. We have had success with being on the right side of this. The search is on for plaintiffs for our next child safety ordinance case. OSJ's pardon program has taken off and will expand in 2025. Thanks to our community who continues to show grace and generosity in helping others who aren't in a position to help themselves, OSJ is able to provide the program to the less advantaged but equally deserving and eligible. Please donate to the OSJ pardon program; every dollar goes to helping one more person get relieved of their criminal history and removed from the registry: Secure.OneStandardOfJustice.org/Pardon-Program-Donation/

Connecticut's One Standard of Justice is working vigorously to get its bill across the finish line; the last day of session is Wednesday, June r. After several years at the legislature, OSJ continues to make real progress with cultivating relationships and educating our legislators with a better understanding of our issues. By the time you read this, OSJ will have held its old-fashioned pie social at the capitol to further engage our Connecticut legislators. Over pie and ice cream, members of the legislature will become better acquainted with our community who will be running the hospitality. While it's been a tricky session due to national politics, we have much to celebrate. Our cofounder is entering her 11th year of advocacy and then some. Immediately after the 2025 session ends, OSJ will delve into its strategy for the next 24 months. Our direction has already been agreed upon. We send a shout out to our Connecticut community, many of whom have supported OSJ's efforts at the Connecticut capitol and have learned the importance of showing up and engaging. Our community has turned a corner.

Read the full NARSOL newsletter here: https://view.publitas.com/p222-5250/the-narsol-digest-xviii-3-final/page/12-13

Connecticut's One Standard of Justice (OSJ) is thrilled to report that our bill (SB1500) decriminalizing late address verification letters will have a hearing before the Judiciary Committee. By the time you read this, we hope to be on our way to the state senate for a vote! For the language of the bill and the latest updates, go to OneStandardOfJustice.org/Just-Enforcement .

SB1500 accomplishes four things: extends the letters return deadline from 10 days to 20 days, adds a phone-in option to verify address for the homeless/institutionalized, reduces the penalty of a conviction to an infraction in most instances, and requires that the state prove criminal intent to establish a felony.

OSJ has also been busy with our Pardons Program supported by the J. Walton Bissell Foundation. Full Pardons are the only pathway off the registry for most people in Connecticut. So far, every application supported by OSJ that has had a hearing has resulted in a pardon.

Read the full NARSOL newsletter here: https://view.publitas.com/p222-5250/the-narsol-digest-xviii-2/page/12-13

Connecticut One Standard of Justice has completed the pilot phase of our state pardons program and is expanding to a program to serve 40 new applicants. We are fortunate to have two legal students who are taking over the coaching of our program, and OSJ has applied for more grant support for our work. Pardons are the only pathway off the registry that Connecticut offers. OSJ will take down the registry, one registrant at a time if we must!

A new program that OSJ has recently introduced is called 'Open Mic Night and a Board Member,' combining information about our organization's important work and providing an open forum for songs, poetry, jokes, and personal stories. Almost anything goes at open mic night. As with all our programs, you must be 18 or over to attend.

OSJ is preparing our next newsletter that includes details on the next two meetups, another forum for our community and their loved ones to visit with us and a legislator. We will be in New Haven and Hartford the two weeks following the election. OSJ ENCOURAGES EVERYONE TO REGISTER TO VOTE... AND VOTE!

Our emotional support group 'Fearless' continues to meet via Zoom once a month. At every meeting we have a topic that everyone has a chance to speak about. If there is extra time at the end, we open the floor for general discussion. Please contact OSJ OneStandardOfJustice.org/Fearless if you have questions about or would like to attend a Fearless meeting.

For more information about our organization and to receive our mailings, fill out our contact form at: OneStandardOfJustice.org/Contact-Us

Read the full NARSOL newsletter here: https://view.publitas.com/p222-5250/the-narsol-digest-xvii-5-v1/page/12-13