May 22, 2025

Rep. Irene Haines Opposes Expansion of Trust Act in Criminal Justice Bill

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HARTFORD – State Representative Irene Haines (R-34) expressed strong opposition to House Bill 7259, An Act Concerning Revisions to Various Statutes Concerning Criminal Justice, which was debated and passed during Wednesday’s House session. The bill includes sweeping changes to the Trust Act that, according to Rep. Haines, compromise public safety and tie the hands of law enforcement and the courts.

“This legislation continues a dangerous trend of putting the rights of individuals who are in this country illegally ahead of law-abiding Connecticut citizens,” said Rep. Haines. “It weakens the ability of our police and court system to cooperate with federal immigration authorities—even in cases involving serious criminal behavior.”

Among the most concerning changes in H.B. 7259:

Police officers are prohibited from communicating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in many cases involving individuals in the country illegally who have been arrested for criminal activity.
The bill extends these restrictions to Connecticut’s court system.
It allows individuals here illegally to file lawsuits against municipalities if they believe the law was violated, potentially prioritizing those cases over those involving legal residents.
Even in cases of firearm theft, law enforcement would be barred from involving ICE, despite Connecticut having some of the strictest gun laws in the nation.

“Limiting ICE’s ability to respond to firearm thefts and violent crimes goes against the very principles of public safety and accountability,” Haines said. “This legislation does not reflect the values or the priorities of the communities we represent.”

Rep. Haines encouraged residents to read the bill for themselves and stay informed about how state policies are shifting:
Read the full bill here.

“As your State Representative, I will continue to advocate for common-sense policies that support our law enforcement community, uphold the rule of law, and prioritize the safety of Connecticut families,” Haines said.

Representative Irene Haines Co-Sponsors New Law Signed by Governor to Expand Benefits for Families of Fallen First Responders

HARTFORD – State Representative Irene Haines (R-34) is proud to announce the passage of a new bipartisan law that expands important benefits for the families of Connecticut’s first responders who lose their lives in the line of duty. Senate Bill 1239, which Representative Haines co-sponsored and strongly supported, renames the Fallen Officer Fund to the […]

June 27, 2025

2025 Legislative Session Wrap-Up

The 2025 legislative session has officially come to a close, and I’m proud of the work I’ve done to represent the people of East Haddam, East Hampton, and Salem at the State Capitol. This session, I remained focused on the values and priorities that matter most to our communities—local control, fiscal responsibility, and public safety. […]

June 17, 2025