Delnicki Hails Passage to End Coerced Debt by House

HARTFORD- In a quest to assist victims of domestic violence, State Rep. Tom Delnicki (R-14) gave final approval to legislation which looks to end to practice of coerced debt, a form of economic abuse.

The legislation, Senate Bill 123, An Act Concerning Coerced Debt, would (1) provide that no individual shall cause another individual to incur a coerced debt, and (2) establish procedures to (A) review documentation to determine whether debt is coerced debt, and (B) bring an action to establish whether debt is coerced debt.

Rep. Delnicki, who has been a co-sponsor of this important legislation for several years, mentioned how coerced debt is non-consensual credit-related transactions that occur in relationships involving coercive control.

Delnicki, who has heard stories from constituents about this kind of economic abuse being done to them

“We need to stop these abusers, in their tracks, from inflicting financial harm on their victims,” said Rep. Delnicki, who has heard many stories from constituents about this kind of economic abuse being done and financially crippling them.”

“I want to protect the vulnerable victims from wrongdoers who use their considerable financial control and undue influence on shelter, sustenance, education and healthcare,” added Rep. Delnicki.

Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence (CCADV) supported and testified in favor of the bill during the public hearing. In testimony the CCADV, most abusive relationships involve some form of economic abuse, with coerced debt being one of the possible tactics to gain and maintain control. Money is a powerful tool that many abusers use to keep their victims dependent upon them and unable to leave.

The bill now heads to the State Senate for a final vote.