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HB05291 (2026): Public Act 26-45 DESPP Public Safety Changes

Effective

HB05291 (2026): Public Act 26-45 DESPP Public Safety Changes

HB05291 was enacted as Public Act 26-45. Its two-year risk-protection retention period and 90-day written destruction notice took effect October 1, 2026.

Legislation
Who: People subject to risk protection warrants, DESPP, local police, federally licensed firearm dealers, and professional bondsmen, surety bail bond agents or bail enforcement agents with firearm permits●Reviewed Oct 23, 2026

What the Bill Does

Connecticut enacted HB 5291 as Public Act 26-45. The act covers multiple public safety topics including fire service, chemical testing, police officer standards, and firearms. The firearm-relevant provision changes the period before destruction of seized firearms, deadly weapons, and ammunition from one year after termination of the warrant to two years after the risk-protection-order hearing, and requires written notice at least 90 days before destruction. Those amendments took effect October 1, 2026.[1][4]

Current Status

HB05291 is no longer pending. The Connecticut General Assembly lists the measure as Public Act 26-45. Section 11 made the firearm-retention amendments effective October 1, 2026. That effective date has passed.[1][4]

What to Watch

Section 11 of Public Act 26-45 prohibits destruction of seized firearms, deadly weapons and ammunition until at least two years after the risk-protection-order hearing under CGS 29-38c(e). It also requires written notice at least 90 days before destruction. These amendments took effect October 1, 2026. Public Act 26-45

Sources

[1] CT General Assembly: HB05291

HB05291: An Act Implementing the DESPP Recommendations Regarding Public Safety Statutes (2026 Session)

[2] Connecticut General Assembly. HB05291 bill status

[3] Connecticut General Assembly. HB5291 (2026)

LegiScan bill tracker for CT HB05291 (2026)

[4] Connecticut Public Act 26-45 PDF

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