***PRESS RELEASE*** Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz Joins State Representative Raghib Allie-Brennan to Honor Emily Todd's Legacy and Celebrate Passage of Domestic Violence Accountability Legislation
Bailey, Samantha
For IMMEDIATE Release Contact: Samantha Bailey
Thursday, July 9, 2026 samanth...@cga.ct.gov, 860-240-8565
Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz Joins State Representative Raghib Allie-Brennan to Honor Emily Todd's Legacy and Celebrate Passage of Domestic Violence Accountability Legislation
BETHEL, CT — State Representative Raghib Allie-Brennan and Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz invite members of the public to join them on Wednesday, July 22 for a special community celebration honoring Emily Todd's legacy and recognizing the passage of landmark domestic violence legislation inspired by years of advocacy from Emily's family, survivors, and community partners.
The event, "Honoring Emily Todd's Legacy: Celebrating the Next Chapter in Domestic Violence Accountability," will be held from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Bethel Public Library.
Following Emily Todd's tragic murder in 2018, Representative Allie-Brennan began working alongside Emily's mother, Jenn Lawlor, Michele Voight of Violent Crime Survivors, and other criminal justice stakeholders to identify meaningful reforms that could strengthen Connecticut's response to domestic violence.
The path was not straightforward.
Initial conversations focused on strengthening Connecticut's criminal justice response to domestic violence homicides, including proposals related to homicide sentencing. While those discussions were productive, it became clear that there was no consensus around pursuing changes to sentencing statutes.
Rather than allowing the effort to end there, Representative Allie-Brennan requested that the Connecticut Sentencing Commission establish a Domestic Violence Homicide Subcommittee to examine the broader systemic issues raised by Emily's case. Serving as a member of the subcommittee, he worked alongside judges, prosecutors, victim advocates, law enforcement, and other criminal justice stakeholders to evaluate Connecticut's response to domestic violence homicides.
Through that work, the group identified a critical gap: Connecticut had no uniform way to identify and track domestic violence cases as they moved across the criminal justice system. Without consistent data, it was difficult to evaluate outcomes, identify trends, or develop informed policy solutions.
That finding became the foundation for House Bill 5313, legislation sponsored by Representative Allie-Brennan. The bill passed unanimously in both chambers of the Connecticut General Assembly and was signed into law by Governor Ned Lamont as Special Act 26-8.
The legislation does not immediately create a statewide domestic violence tracking system. Instead, it begins the process by directing the Judicial Branch and partner agencies to develop a comprehensive implementation plan for a uniform statewide domestic violence case identification system. Once implemented, the system will improve oversight, strengthen accountability, enhance data collection, and provide policymakers with better information to evaluate future reforms.
“Emily's story changed our community, and her legacy is now helping change Connecticut,” said Representative Raghib Allie-Brennan. “This event is an opportunity to honor everyone who turned unimaginable loss into meaningful action. While this legislation is only the beginning, our commitment to victims and survivors must continue long after the bill signing.”
“Domestic violence doesn’t just impact the lives of those directly involved; it ripples throughout entire communities. Emily’s case is an example of that. In the wake of tragedy, the community of Bethel rallied together to find necessary changes to our current system that will make our state safer. I want to thank State Representative Allie-Brennan and all the advocates who fought for this legislation. Your efforts to get this bill to the finish line are a meaningful tribute to Emily’s life,” said Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz.
The event will feature remarks from Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz, Representative Allie-Brennan, Emily's mother Jenn Lawlor, Michele Voight of Violent Crime Survivors, along with special artistic tributes celebrating Emily's life and legacy.
Community members are encouraged to attend.
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Samantha Bailey (She/Her/Hers)
Press Aide | Connecticut House Democrats
Cell: (860) 559-4540
Office: (860) 240-8565
Contact for: Rep. Raghib Allie-Brennan | Rep. Andre Baker | Rep. Patrick Boyd | Rep. Eilish Collins Main | Rep. Dave DeFronzo | Rep. Hubert Delany | Rep. Geoff Luxenberg | Rep. Kara Rochelle |Rep. Iris Sanchez | Rep. Kaitlyn Shake
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