Connecticut Passes Judicial Nomination Transparency Law

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 4 2025

As many look to the courts to safeguard democracy, 

CT will have the most transparent judicial nominations process in the nation

Hartford–The Connecticut General Assembly unanimously passed H.B. 704, legislation that makes the state’s judicial nominations process the most transparent in the nation. This legislation comes at a crucial time as the courts increasingly play a vital role in safeguarding democracy and protecting individual rights.

“This is a huge win for transparency in Connecticut courts. This legislation provides crucial sunlight on the judicial selection process. Connecticut will now lead the nation on judicial transparency. State Court judges make decisions that can affect nearly every aspect of our lives. It’s more important than ever that we have champions of the people on our state courts who are willing to step in and ensure fundamental rights,” said Steve Kennedy, the organizing and network director of the People’s Parity Project at UConn Law.

More than 95% of all cases in the United States are filed in state courts. The recent $100 million Wisconsin Supreme Court election and a prolonged, contentious battle over the North Carolina Supreme Court have highlighted the significant role of state courts as a safeguard against the Trump administration’s attacks on democracy.

The People’s Parity Project at UConn Law and the Connecticut Pro-People Judiciary Coalition advocated for the legislation, which includes insight into the professional backgrounds of all applicants who are selected and rejected by the Judicial Selection Commission. The legislation requires the Connecticut Judicial Selection Commission (JSC) to disclose the professional backgrounds of applicants for judicial positions. The legislation also requires rejected applicants to receive a reason for their application’s rejection upon request.

Empirical studies have demonstrated that judges’ professional backgrounds influence the outcomes for those appearing before them.  Lawyers with backgrounds in corporate law and criminal prosecution are disproportionately represented on state benches. Studies have also shown that these same judges are more likely to side with employers in discrimination and other employment cases, landlords in eviction cases, and the prosecution in criminal cases, leading to longer prison sentences.

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