Business Law and Liability Wrap: Video Surveillance Bill Dies

05.11.2018
Issues & Policies

A bill certain to raise costs for Connecticut businesses and property owners by mandating the retention of video surveillance recordings for up to two years died in the state House this week.
The House failed to act on HB 5467, the so-called premises liability bill, after the Judiciary Committee passed it earlier this year.
The bill required the owner, lessee, or person in control of a premises—defined as a retail establishment, business premises, or commercial property—and with knowledge of an “injury-producing event” to preserve and produce video of the event.
If a business has video surveillance, this bill mandated the preservation and retention of all recordings for a two-year period on the off chance that someone is injured at the premises, regardless of fault.
CBIA’s Louise DiCocco helped lead the fight against this mandate, telling lawmakers that current Connecticut law sufficiently protects the rights and interests of all parties involved in any injury producing event.
She also said the bill gives businesses less incentive to have video surveillance and discourages its use.

Other Legislation

Here is how some others bills concerning business law and liability fared:
HB 5412: Allows additional time for a limited liability company or a foreign limited liability company to file its annual report—changed from April to July 1.
CBIA supported this bill, which passed the House but died when the Senate failed to act on it.
HB 5252: Allows indirect purchasers of goods to sue to recover damages sustained from illegal price fixing agreements in antitrust suits.
Last year, the General Assembly passed legislation allowing for indirect purchasers to sue in pharmaceutical and medical device markets.
Thirty-eight other states allow for these suits—essentially a repeal of the U.S. Supreme Court’s Illinois Brick decision.
CBIA supported this bill, which passed both chambers and awaits the governor’s signature.
HB 5258: Modernizes arbitration procedures by adoption of the Revised Uniform Arbitration Act. CBIA supported this bill, which passed both chambers.
HB 5191: Requires the commissioner of the state Department of Consumer Protection to conduct a study of post-retail sale warranty work reimbursement for power equipment dealers and report the results by December 31, 2018.
CBIA opposed this bill, which passed both chambers.
HB 5570: Extends the time for initiating an action against design professionals, such as architects and engineers, for negligence from seven to 10 years based on the discovery of a latent deficiency, or when a written warranty, guarantee, or tolling agreement provides for a longer period of time. Most states have a six-year period.
CBIA opposed this bill, which died when the House failed to act on it.


For more information, contact CBIA’s Louise DiCocco (860.244.1169 | @LouiseDiCocco

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