An Act Concerning Professional Liability Insurance For Attorneys.
Impact
The bill impacts state laws by introducing a requirement for attorneys to disclose their insurance status as part of their annual registration, thereby altering existing practices for attorney registration in Connecticut. The establishment of a publicly accessible database where clients can check whether their attorney has liability insurance is seen as a significant step towards consumer protection and accountability within the legal profession. By increasing transparency, the bill aims to foster trust in legal services and help clients make informed choices when selecting legal representation.
Summary
House Bill 6605 focuses on enhancing the oversight of professional liability insurance among attorneys in Connecticut. It mandates that the Judicial Branch amend the form for annual attorney registrations to allow attorneys to indicate whether they maintain professional liability insurance. This change is aimed to create greater transparency regarding attorneys' insurance status, providing relevant information to both clients and the legal community. The effective date of the bill is set for October 1, 2011, with additional provisions to ensure the ongoing update of insurance information on the Judicial Branch's website starting from May 2012.
Sentiment
The general sentiment regarding HB 6605 appears to be broadly positive, as it addresses a long-standing concern regarding consumer protection in the legal field. Supporters of the bill argue that it will enhance the professionalism of the legal community and improve client trust. However, there may be opposition from attorneys who feel that mandatory disclosures could lead to undue scrutiny or potential negative repercussions based solely on insurance status, complicating their practice.
Contention
Despite the overall support, there may be points of contention regarding the implementation of the bill, particularly surrounding privacy concerns related to the public disclosure of attorneys' insurance information. Opponents could argue that such a public registry might lead to misinterpretation of an attorney's standing based on insurance rather than their expertise or track record. Additionally, questions may arise about the logistics of how the Judicial Branch will maintain accurate and up-to-date records, and what penalties might apply for non-compliance by attorneys.
An Act Concerning Insurance Market Conduct And Insurance Licensing, The Insurance Department's Technical Corrections And Other Revisions To The Insurance Statutes And Captive Insurance.