Lawmakers hear wide support and practical concerns as Connecticut considers raising minimum arrest age to 14

Supporters of SB 15-42 told the Judiciary Committee on March 26 that raising Connecticut’s minimum age of arrest would keep young children out of the criminal legal system and steer them into community services instead. Testimony came from national and local child‑rights groups, youth‑justice advocates, and practitioners who described diversion programs they say work better than arrest for young children.

Proponents said the measure would align Connecticut with international and emerging U.S. practice and reduce long‑term harm from early system contact. Teresa Komunos of Human Rights for Kids summarized the policy case and cited national research on adverse childhood experiences to argue that the law should reflect developmental science. Several nonprofit program leaders and youth advocates told the committee that diversion and restorative approaches produce better outcomes for…