Legislation that would eliminate the liability of lessors and owners of rental vehicles for parking violations committed by customers was passed by the Connecticut House of Representatives May 22.

The Senate had previously passed the bill, SB 224, on May 9, and Connecticut Governor Jodi Rell (R) is expected to sign the legislation into law. The new law will take effect on July 1, 2007.

The legislation would allow the owner of a rented or leased vehicle to provide to a municipality the name, address and license number of a customer operating a vehicle under a rental or lease agreement at the time of a parking violation. Under the provisions of the bill, the municipality would then issue a notice of violation to that customer, relieving the renting or leasing company of its obligation to pay the ticket.

Currently, if a vehicle operator does not pay a parking ticket in 30 days, a notice of violation is issued to the owner of a rented or leased vehicle. The owner then has 60 days to either pay the fine or seek compensation from the customer before fines and penalties begin accruing.