Yesterday, on July 17, 2025, the Richard Whitcomb Gymnasium at The Carver Community Center in Norwalk was filled with emotion, pride, and purpose as Governor Ned Lamont held a cer emonial bill signing for Senate Bill 1542 — a landmark juvenile justice reform law aimed at protecting Connecticut’s youngest residents from unnecessary and traumatic encounters with the justice system. Here is WTNH’s NEWS 8 coverage of the event, Eyewitness News 3, the State of CT Network, and Norwalk’s Instagram video of the event.
This ceremonial occasion was a powerful statement about what Connecticut values in terms of youth, safety, and community. Governor Lamont was joined by State Representative Kadeem Roberts (D-Norwalk), a proud Carver alum who introduced the legislation, and State Senator Herron Gaston (D-Bridgeport), who co-authored the bill. Both men offered deeply personal reflections about their own experiences of being handcuffed by police as children — Gaston when he was just 14 years old.
“When I was 12 years old, I was walking with my cousin,” Roberts recalled. “Officers pulled us over and said we fit the description of a robbery. We were handcuffed. It was traumatizing as a child. This bill is for every young person who has ever experienced that.”
The new law — signed officially on July 8 and taking effect on October 1 — makes Connecticut the first state in the nation to enact such protections. Among its key provisions:
Representative Kadeem Roberts (D-Norwalk) and Norwalk Mayor Harry Rilling
A ban on the use of handcuffs on children under age 14, except in cases involving active threats or court orders.
A gradual increase in the minimum age for arrest, from 10 to 12 in 2026, and to 14 in 2028.
A shift toward developmentally appropriate responses that prioritize dignity, empathy, and the long-term well-being of youth.
“This is not just a bill,” said Sen. Gaston. “It’s a message — a shift in how we value young people. No child should have to carry the trauma of being treated like a criminal for just being a kid.”
Carver board member Drew Seath welcomed guests and spoke on behalf of Carver, noting the powerful symbolism of holding this momentous event in a community space dedicated to youth success. “Carver stands for hope, opportunity, and second chances,” he said. “This bill reflects those same values.”
The ceremony brought together a sea of Carver summer campers, who listened intently as speakers addressed them directly. “Kids are still growing up — one traumatic incident can change your life,” Rep. Roberts told them. He dedicated the bill to youth impacted by the justice system, invoking names like Khalief Browder and members of the exonerated Central Park Five, reminding the audience of the stakes involved in getting youth justice right.
Governor Lamont praised Carver’s work, calling it “essential” for keeping children safe, engaged, and learning. He then turned to the campers and, in true Carver spirit, challenged them to a dance-off, creating a joyful, unforgettable moment as the children surrounded him at center court while he signed the bill into law.
State Senator Herron Gaston (D-Bridgeport)
Rep. Steve Stafstrom, chair of the Judiciary Committee, urged thoughtfulness in law enforcement’s approach to youth: “Just the sheer act of being handcuffed is traumatic. This bill doesn’t prevent handcuffing. It says: stop and think.”
Brittany LaMarr of the Juvenile Justice Policy and Oversight Committee framed the legislation as a catalyst for healing: “This is how safety and justice come together — through evidence, empathy, and mutual respect.”
Norwalk Mayor Harry Rilling also voiced strong support for Carver and the bill, underscoring the central role community-based organizations play in preventing youth violence and promoting lifelong success.
As the event concluded, Drew Seath extended a heartfelt invitation to Governor Lamont to return when Carver’s new Teen Center opens. The Governor, smiling and surrounded by kids, accepted without hesitation.
Carver is honored to have hosted this landmark moment — one that affirms what we believe every day: children are not problems to be solved, but possibilities to be nurtured. SB 1542 is a step toward that future.
