Researcher: MK Page 1 5/19/21
OLR Bill Analysis
HB 6466 (as amended by House "A")*
AN ACT CONCERNING PROPERTY THAT IS EXEMPT FROM A
JUDGMENT CREDITOR.
SUMMARY
By law, certain types and amounts of property, income, and assets
are exempt from debt collection (i.e., attachment and post-judgement
collections). The bill modifies this exemption by:
1. increasing the motor vehicle exemption from $3,500 for one
vehicle to $7,000 in the aggregate for up to two vehicles, which,
under existing law and the bill, is determined by the vehicle’s
fair market value minus all liens and security interests on it;
2. expanding the list of exemptions to include the cash surrender
value of a state resident’s life insurance policy unless the policy
was (a) assigned to or effected for the creditor’s benefit or (b)
purchased, sold, or transferred with the intent to defraud the
creditor;
3. increasing the homestead exemption to $250,000, instead of
$75,000 or, for money judgements for hospital services, $125,000
as under current law; and
4. limiting the homestead exemption to $75,000 for money
judgements for claims of sexual abuse or exploitation of a
minor, sexual assault, or other willful, wanton, or reckless
misconduct.
The bill also makes technical and conforming changes.
*House Amendment “A” applies the increased motor vehicle
exemption amount to up to two vehicles in the aggregate, instead of
just one vehicle. 2021HB-06466-R01-BA.DOCX
Researcher: MK Page 2 5/19/21
EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 2021
BACKGROUND
Property Exempt from Execution
In addition to certain automatically exempt funds, existing law
allows a debtor to claim several exemptions, including for necessary
apparel and food, necessary professional tools and books, burial plots,
health and disability insurance payments, and any interest in any
property up to $1,000 (CGS § 52-352b).
COMMITTEE ACTION
Judiciary Committee
Joint Favorable
Yea 36 Nay 1 (04/05/2021)