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Senate adopts probate‑court operations bill after amendment on DSS working group
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Summary
Senate Bill 1501, addressing probate‑court procedures and timelines (including transcription deadlines and birth‑certificate processes), was amended at the Department of Social Services' request and adopted after floor objections from members urging further study of conservator compensation and DSS delays.
The Connecticut Senate on May 13 adopted SB1501, the annual probate court operations bill, after floor discussion and the adoption of an amendment (LCO 8262) that sponsors said clarified language at the Department of Social Services' request.
Senator Douglas Winfield explained the bill updates multiple probate processes: it clarifies procedures for legal guardians seeking birth certificates for children born outside hospitals, extends a notification window from seven to 15 days in a matter involving counsel on judicial conduct, and sets a 30‑day transcript deadline in certain circumstances; section 7 establishes a working group to study conservatorship issues.
Senator Kevin Kissel strongly objected to the amendment, saying it undercuts an agreed provision to study conservator compensation and warning that delays and low compensation have driven private attorneys away from serving as conservators. "By ignoring this issue, we're drying up the well where we have people that are trained and qualified that can do this," Kissel said, recounting personal experience overseeing a vulnerable nursing‑home resident as a conservator.
Senator Matt Harding joined Kissel in objecting and urged stronger oversight of DSS delays. Senator Winfield responded that the amendment arose from a miscommunication but urged members to support it and promised to continue working with affected senators to ensure the study materializes.
After a roll‑call vote, the Senate adopted the amendment and then the bill as amended. The clerk announced that the legislation was adopted and the Senate briefly stood at ease.
