Section 29-7e - [Effective 7/1/2024] Investigative unit conducting sting operations relating to online sexual abuse of minors(a) The Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection shall assign to the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, including the investigative unit conducting sting operations relating to the online sexual abuse of minors, established under subsection (d) of section 29-4, such personnel as may be required to fulfill the duties of this section. The task force, utilizing such investigative unit: (1) Shall perform undercover and investigatory operations to prevent and detect any criminal activity or suspected criminal activity in the state in which an individual uses the Internet to sexually abuse, sexually exploit or sexually assault a minor, or attempt to sexually abuse, sexually exploit or sexually assault a minor;(2) Shall compile, monitor and analyze data regarding any criminal activity or suspected criminal activity described in subdivision (1) of this subsection; and(3) Shall share data and information with, and may provide additional assistance to, any law enforcement unit to assist in the undercover operations and investigation of any criminal activity or suspected criminal activity described in subdivision (1) of this subsection.(b) Not later than November 1, 2024, the Police Officer Standards and Training Council, in consultation with the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection, shall:(1) Develop, and disseminate to all law enforcement units, a standardized form or other reporting system to be used by a law enforcement unit in making an initial notification or report to such investigative unit relating to the online sexual abuse of minors as required by subsection (c) of this section;(2) Develop best practices for the investigation of the online sexual abuse of minors and to facilitate the continued sharing of information among and between such investigative unit conducting sting operations relating to the online sexual abuse of minors and law enforcement units;(3) Take such actions as are necessary to inform the public of its right to report any criminal activity or suspected criminal activity as described in subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of this section and how to make such reports, including, but not limited to, considering the establishment of state and municipal telephone hotlines and Internet web sites that can be used to make reports; and(4) Develop a model policy for the investigation of the online sexual abuse of minors.(c) Each law enforcement unit shall, not later than fourteen days after receiving notification, information or a complaint of any criminal activity or suspected criminal activity described in subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of this section, provide a notice and report to the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force regarding such criminal activity or suspected criminal activity using the standardized form or other reporting system developed pursuant to subdivision (1) of subsection (b) of this section. The law enforcement unit shall continue to share information regarding the investigation of such criminal activity or suspected criminal activity with the investigative unit conducting sting operations relating to the online sexual abuse of minors according to the best practices developed pursuant to subdivision (2) of subsection (b) of this section.(d) Not later than January 1, 2026, and January 1, 2027, the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection shall submit an annual report regarding the activity and results of the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, including the activity and results of the investigative unit conducting sting operations relating to the online sexual abuse of minors, as well as a recommendation as to whether such investigative unit should be extended, to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to children, public safety and the judiciary, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a.(e) For purposes of this section, "law enforcement unit" has the same meaning as provided in section 7-294a.Added by P.A. 23-0204,S. 327 of the Connecticut Acts of the 2023 Regular Session, eff. 7/1/2024.