HB 5258 Summary

• Adopts the Revised Uniform Arbitration Act effective October 1, 2018, establishing comprehensive procedures for arbitration agreements and proceedings in Connecticut.

• Validates arbitration agreements in written records as enforceable and irrevocable except on grounds that would revoke any contract, with courts deciding enforceability and arbitrators deciding conditions precedent to arbitrability.

• Establishes procedures for compelling arbitration, appointing arbitrators, conducting hearings, and issuing awards, including provisions for arbitrator disclosure of conflicts, witness subpoenas, and discovery as deemed appropriate.

• Allows courts to vacate awards within 30 days for corruption, fraud, arbitrator partiality or misconduct, exceeding authority, lack of proper notice, or other grounds prejudicing party rights; permits modification within 90 days for mathematical errors or claims outside submission.

• Permits parties to waive certain provisions after a controversy arises but prohibits pre-dispute waivers of fundamental protections including notice rights, arbitrator disclosure, right to legal representation, and judicial review standards.