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Consumer protection bill moves through state legislature

A bill is being considered by the state legislature to protect consumers by requiring home improvement contractors to obtain liability insurance coverage and pass a written examination or course of study. 

 

The House voted 140-2 in favor of legislation, which awaits Senate action.

 

The course must be consumer protection commissioner approved and based on information the department publishes.  Under the bill, the proof of insurance must be provided to the Department of Consumer Protection and the municipal building department in each municipality where the applicant or contractor submits building permit applications.

 

Redding Representative John Shaban, a commercial litigator, with an emphasis on construction disputes, was told that the insurance would not have to cover work done be subcontractors, just the general contractor.  He says often times that becomes the dispute, who is at fault.  If the subcontractor does sub-par work, Shaban said the fault depends on the contract, what insurance coverage each has, and if the policies are even valid.

 

Shaban says the bill is a step in the right direction in terms of scrutiny.  But he says it could produce a false sense of security.

 

While he likes the concept, he thinks the result could be a step backwards in terms of consumer protection.  Shaban says he doesn't want homeowners to think that they will be covered if a municipal building department signs off on the contractor's insurance.

 

The bill includes exemptions from the examination and course of study requirements for registered contractors who have continuously held a valid registration in Connecticut for five years before the application or renewal or $30,000 or less in gross annual receipts. It also requires the Commissioner of Consumer Protection to conduct a study and report on enforcement and complaint procedures involving registered home improvement contractors.

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Dave Rinelli

Local Headlines