Sec. 54-125f. Pilot zero-tolerance drug supervision program. - Connecticut Statutes

      Sec. 54-125f. Pilot zero-tolerance drug supervision program. (a) Not later than October 1, 1998, the chairman of the Board of Pardons and Paroles shall establish a pilot zero-tolerance drug supervision program. Eligibility for participation in the program shall be limited to individuals who are eligible for release on parole and shall be based upon criteria, including a limit on the maximum number of eligible participants, established by the chairman of the Board of Pardons and Paroles.

      (b) Any person entering such program shall, as a condition of participating in such program, agree to: (1) Submit to periodic urinalysis drug tests, (2) detention in a halfway house facility for a period of two days each time such test produces a positive result, and (3) comply with all rules established by the halfway house if detained in such facility.

      (c) Participants in the zero-tolerance drug supervision program shall submit to periodic urinalysis drug tests. If the test produces a positive result, the participant may be detained in a halfway house facility for a period of two days.

      (d) Any person who has submitted to a urinalysis drug test pursuant to subsection (c) of this section that produced a positive result may request that a second urinalysis drug test be administered, at such person's expense, to confirm the results of the first test, except that if the participant is determined to be indigent, based upon financial affidavits, the Board of Pardons and Paroles shall pay the cost of the test. The second drug test shall be a urinalysis drug test, separate and independent of the initial test. The participant may be detained in a halfway house pending the results of the second test. If such second test does not produce a positive result, the participant, if detained in a halfway house, shall be released and the fee, if paid by the participant, shall be refunded to the participant.

      (e) If at any time during participation in the zero-tolerance drug supervision program, the chairman of the Board of Pardons and Paroles determines that the public safety will be served by the incarceration of a participant, such participant may be returned to a correctional facility.

      (P.A. 98-145, S. 1, 4; P.A. 99-34, S. 1, 2; P.A. 02-89, S. 84; P.A. 03-278, S. 111; P.A. 04-234, S. 2.)

      History: P.A. 99-34 amended Subsec. (a) to delete provision that limited the program to individuals eligible for release on parole "in accordance with section 54-125b", effective May 27, 1999; P.A. 02-89 deleted as obsolete Subsec. (f) requiring the chairman of the Board of Parole, the Commissioner of Correction and the Chief Court Administrator to submit a report on the program to the committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to criminal justice not later than January 1, 2000; P.A. 03-278 made a technical change in Subsec. (a), effective July 9, 2003; P.A. 04-234 replaced Board of Parole with Board of Pardons and Paroles, effective July 1, 2004.

      See Secs. 18-100e and 53a-39d re pilot zero-tolerance drug supervision program established by Commissioner of Correction and Chief Court Administrator, respectively.