Judiciary Committee Approves Carpino Co-Sponsored Bill to Give Municipalities Immunity from Suits Tied to Rec Land Use

HARTFORD — The Judiciary Committee today approved a compromise proposal that would give cities and towns immunity in suits spurred by injuries suffered on recreation land, Rep. Christie Carpino said. “We’ve moved one step closer to maintaining recreational land access for residents throughout the state who enjoy activities such as hiking, biking and trail running,” said Carpino, who also serves on the legislature’s committees on Appropriations and Education. “It’s a common sense proposal that not only shields today’s cash-strapped municipalities from lawsuits, but one that’s also consistent with this legislature’s ongoing efforts to promote healthy living.”

The compromise was made on the bill Carpino co-sponsored, H.B. 6557, An Act Concerning Liability for the Recreational Use of Land. The proposal was spurred by an issue that grabbed headlines last year—a nearly $3 million jury verdict awarded to a Rocky Hill resident who crashed her bicycle on a trail at a Metropolitan District Commission reservoir. Consequently, MDC officials, fearing a similar lawsuit in the future, threatened to padlock its various properties used by thousands of people throughout Connecticut. Municipal leaders, fearing similar lawsuits, considered making the same move.

The bipartisan proposal co-sponsored by Carpino would include municipalities, political subdivisions of the state and special districts as owners of land entitled to immunity under the Recreational Land Use Act—which does offer that protection to individuals, corporations, nonprofits, and private utilities.

The Connecticut Trial Lawyers offered testimony against the immunity proposal, which carries broad support from municipal leaders throughout Connecticut.

Bill proponent Rep. David Baram (D-Bloomfield) thanked Carpino during today’s meeting for her efforts in forging the compromise that landed the bill on the committee’s deadline day agenda.

That compromise focuses the bill on passive reaction areas, such as hiking trails. Recreation facilities such as basketball courts and swimming pools—things that require maintenance—are not included.