HB 6608 Summary

• Adopts the Revised Uniform Arbitration Act, effective October 1, 2011, to modernize arbitration procedures and enforce arbitration agreements in Connecticut.

• Establishes that arbitration agreements in writing are valid, enforceable, and irrevocable except on grounds that would revoke any contract, and courts must enforce agreements to arbitrate unless no enforceable agreement exists.

• Provides procedural protections including arbitrator disclosure requirements, parties' rights to legal representation, witness subpoena authority, discovery provisions, and prohibition on pre-dispute waivers of certain protections.

• Creates grounds for courts to vacate awards within 30 days if procured by fraud, if arbitrator showed partiality or misconduct, if hearing procedures violated, or if arbitrator exceeded powers; allows modification of awards within 90 days for mathematical errors or mistakes in description.

• Applies to arbitration agreements made on or after October 1, 2011, except those governed by chapters 48, 68, 113, 166, or 743b of Connecticut General Statutes, and to pre-2011 agreements only if all parties consent in writing.