Bill > HB07162

This bill reforms motor vehicle towing statutes to provide comprehensive protections for vehicle owners and establish a consumer bill of rights regarding towing. The key provisions include requiring written authorization forms for towing from private property, mandating that wrecker services take photographs of vehicles before towing, establishing a process for vehicle owners to retrieve towed vehicles, and creating new regulations for towing fees and practices. Specifically, the bill requires property owners to install conspicuous signage before towing, limits when vehicles can be towed, creates a drop fee system for vehicle release, and establishes a consumer bill of rights that will be developed by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles. The bill also creates a Police-Ordered Towing Council to develop standardized rates for police-ordered tows and sets new requirements for wrecker services, including record-keeping, storage, and vehicle release procedures. Additionally, the legislation increases potential penalties for violations and provides more transparency in the towing process to protect vehicle owners from arbitrary or excessive towing practices.

Budget and Finance, Transportation and Infrastructure

Transportation Committee (Joint)

https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=HB07162&which_year=2025