Substitute House Bill No. 6774 Summary

• Adopts the Connecticut Uniform Power of Attorney Act effective July 1, 2016, establishing comprehensive rules for powers of attorney including definitions, execution requirements, agent duties, and principal protections

• Requires powers of attorney to be dated, signed by the principal, and witnessed by two witnesses; signatures are presumed genuine if acknowledged before a notary public or commissioner

• Makes all powers of attorney durable by default (continuing despite principal's incapacity) unless expressly stated otherwise, and automatically terminates upon principal's death, revocation, or agent's death/incapacity

• Agents must act loyally in the principal's best interest, in good faith, with reasonable care and competence, keep transaction records, and avoid conflicts of interest; violations subject agents to liability for damages and attorney's fees

• Establishes specific agent authorities for real estate, banking, stocks and bonds, business operations, insurance, taxes, gifts (limited to annual federal exclusion amounts), and other property matters, which can be granted by referencing statutory categories or included in special provisions