Supporters, opponents of juvenile sentencing bill are tired of testifying

By Christine Stuart

HARTFORD, Conn. – Barbara Fair is sick of traveling to Hartford year after year to testify on a bill that would give juvenile offenders an opportunity to reduce their sentences.

“There’s so much work that needs to be done on the laws we have on the books that I don’t want to have to come back and talk about the same old thing,” Fair, of New Haven, told the Judiciary Committee on Monday. “I’m hoping you have the courage to pass this bill and make an opportunity for these children who are now adults . . . and have turned their life around.”

The legislature came close to approving a similar bill last year, but it didn’t get called in the Senate when Sen. John Kissel, R-Enfield, promised to speak for a long time on the bill toward the end of the legislative session.

Kissel has expressed concern that the legislation is more focused on the offender than the victim.

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