HB 6616 Summary

• Establishes "clear and convincing evidence" as the required evidentiary standard for awarding punitive damages across 16 Connecticut statutes, effective October 1, 2011.

• Requires courts to find "wanton misconduct" (or alternatively "wilful and malicious" conduct where previously applicable) before awarding punitive damages in cases involving consumer protection, employment discrimination, trade secrets, product liability, and other civil violations.

• Applies the new standard to specific statutes including those governing nuclear power plant employees, patient rights, companion animal injuries, wage discrimination, workers' compensation retaliation, trade secret misappropriation, loan broker violations, unfair trade practices, housing discrimination, and wiretapping.

• Maintains existing punitive damages caps and ranges where previously established (e.g., $50,000 for housing discrimination, $300 maximum for shoplifting civil claims, twice actual damages for trade secret cases).

• Changes the burden of proof from lower standards (such as "intentional or reckless indifference") to the higher "clear and convincing evidence" threshold across all affected cause of action.