Insurance and Real Estate Committee
JOINT FAVORABLE REPORT
Bill No.: HB-5368
AN ACT ESTABLISHING A TASK FORCE TO STUDY THE USE OF BREED OF
DOG AS AN UNDERWRITING FACTOR FOR HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE
Title: POLICIES.
Vote Date: 3/10/2020
Vote Action: Joint Favorable
PH Date: 3/10/2020
File No.:
Disclaimer: The following JOINT FAVORABLE Report is prepared for the benefit of the
members of the General Assembly, solely for purposes of information, summarization and
explanation and does not represent the intent of the General Assembly or either chamber
thereof for any purpose.
SPONSORS OF BILL:
Rep. Craig C. Fishbein, 90th Dist
REASONS FOR BILL:
The bill was brought about to help home owners who own dogs that insurances consider a dangerous
breed. The home owner's insurance companies would deny, cancel or increase their premiums based on
what breed of dog the home owner had. The bill seeks to create a task force to study this and suggest
legislation for the legislature.
RESPONSE FROM ADMINISTRATION/AGENCY:
State Representative Craig C. Fishbein supports the bill as homeowners are being denied or even
subject to higher premiums based upon what breed of dog they own. The representative argues that
insurance is a process that should not be subject to discrimination and we should not permit it in the
underwriting process.
State Senator Rob Sampson opposes the bill as numerous studies have already been conducted on
this subject. Dog bites count for one third of all home owner liability claims of which a majority come
from a small subset of dog breeds. The senator believes that the insurance companies have the right to
charge whatever they want for the coverage of these animals.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF SUPPORT:
Steve Basson, South Windsor, CT supports the bill an believes there should be science behind it and
believes the taskforce should be diverse in its membership. Including people such as Veterinarians, dog
trainers and dog groomers.
Paul Brady, Leslie Newing, Debra Strikland, Joanna Salvatore, Jackie St. Peter, Rodican, CT
supports the bill as insurance companies should focus on the breed not on the dogs and what they have
done. This will shift the focus to their owners and how well trained the dog is.
Elizabeth Marsden, Chaplin, CT supports the bill as they hope it would study dogs aggressiveness
and place legitimate restrictions on dog breeds that are known to pose a threat to people
Kim Pisani, Wallingford, CT supports the bill because they were notified that they would no longer
be covered on their home insurance due to owning 2 pit bulls. He argues the current banned breed list
is forcing no choice in selection of insurance carrier and this is also condemning many dogs to death
that could be getting homes.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF OPPOSITION:
Julie Wall, Rochester MN opposes the bill as they believe the neighborhoods are safer when pit bull
attacks are not covered by insurance companies. They also state they dont want to pay higher
premiums to cover for other people dangerous pet breeds.
Joy Avallone, General Counsel, Insurance Association of Connecticut opposes the bill as an
estimated 4.7 million people are bitten by dogs in the U.S each year. Certain breeds of dogs have been
shown to be involved in injury or fatal attack then others. If this bill is passed, they argue they will lose
the flexibility to choose themselves what they as insurers consider to be dangerous and non-dangerous
dog breeds.
The American Prosperity Casualty Insurance Association opposes the bill as they believe the task
force is unnecessary as there have already been several studies done. They argue common sense tells
any dog bite is bad but certain dog breeds may be more dangerous than others. They therefore want to
leave it up to the individual insurance companies not the state to decide what dog breeds are allowed
and what are black listed.
The American Kennel Club opposes the bill as they are concerned that the bill as written does not
provide any guarantee that the taskforce will encompass actual stake holders that consider the views of
the dog owners.
Reported by: Lawrence Sanchez Date: 04/01/2020
Page 2 of 2 HB-5368