Connecticut Law Revision Commission
Uniform Unincorporporated Nonprofit Associations Act
On May 19, 1998 the Connecticut Law Revision
Commission, acting in accordance with section 2-87(1) of the Connecticut
General Statutes directing the Commission to "[r]eceive, consider and
prepare comments and recommendations on proposed changes in the law
recommended by the... National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform
State Laws," voted to undertake a review of the Uniform
Unincorporated Nonprofit Association Act. A drafting committee was formed
consisting of attorneys knowledgeable about nonprofit associations, as
well as representatives of nonprofit associations, who reviewed drafts of
the proposed act. The drafting committee recommended that the Law
Revision Commission approve a report and proposed bill prepared by the
committee for submission to the Judiciary Committee for consideration in
the 1999 legislative session.
The proposed Unincorporated Nonprofit
Association Act would have reformed the common law concerning
unincorporated nonprofit associations in three important areas: authority
to acquire, hold and transfer property, especially real property;
authority to sue and be sued as an entity; and contract and tort liability
of officers and members of the association.
At its monthly meeting on December 17, 1998,
the Law Revision Commission voted to resubmit the report of the drafting
committee to the committee for further study. Commission members expressed
concerns about the expansion of liability protection to members of
unincorporated nonprofit associations, and about permitting informal
associations to hold and transfer property in the name of the association.