New Connecticut Act Regarding Powers of Attorney and Appointment of Health Care Agents

In the past many financial institutions refused to honor a power of attorney that was more than a couple of years old, or in some cases refused to honor a power of attorney that was recently executed.  In response to these concerns, the Connecticut legislature recently enacted Public Act 17 – 91.  This act provides that, effective October 1, 2017 a financial institution or healthcare provider must accept a properly executed power of attorney or appointment of health care agent.  If the institution or provider refuses to accept the document, the institution or provider is subject to a court order mandating acceptance of the document as well as liability for attorney’s fees and costs incurred in obtaining the court order.  Public Act 17 – 91 applies to a power of attorney or appointment of health care agent signed prior to the Act. ​