HB05435 (2026): Extending Non-Destruction Period for Risk Warrant Seized Firearms

Update: The standalone HB 5435 died in the Judiciary Committee and did not become law. Section 11 of Public Act 26-45 (effective October 1, 2026) enacted a two-year retention period that runs from the hearing under CGS 29-38c(e) instead of from the last petition to terminate the order, as HB 5435 proposed, and added a written notice requirement.

What the Bill Would Do

House Bill 05435 proposed to amend Section 29-38c(i) of the Connecticut General Statutes, the state's risk warrant (red flag) law^[1]. Connecticut enacted its risk warrant law in 1999. The law allows a judge to issue a risk protection order, and a warrant to seize firearms, other deadly weapons and ammunition, when there is probable cause to believe that a person who is at least eighteen years of age poses a risk of imminent personal injury to such person's self or to another person.

Section 11 of Public Act 26-45 prohibits destruction of seized firearms, deadly weapons and ammunition until at least two years have passed since the risk-protection-order hearing under CGS 29-38c(e). It also requires written notice at least 90 days before destruction. The two-year period runs from that hearing, rather than termination of the warrant. The provision took effect October 1, 2026. Public Act 26-45

Current Status

HB05435 had a public hearing on March 11, 2026, before the Judiciary Committee^[2]. The OLR Bill Tracking Report identifies HB 5435 as incorporated into section 11 of Public Act 26-45. Official bill-tracking report

What to Watch

HB 5435 would have amended only subsection (i) of CGS 29-38c, the non-destruction timeline, and did not change when hearings must be held or how risk warrants are issued.