Public Act No. 19-88 requires an attorney admitted in Connecticut in good standing to “conduct” a “real estate closing.” It takes effect October 1, 2019. The term “conduct” is not defined. A “real estate closing” includes a closing for a mortgage loan transaction, other than a home equity line of credit transaction or any other loan transaction that does not involve the issuance of a lender’s or a mortgagee’s policy of title insurance in connection with such transaction, to be secured by real property in Connecticut. “Real estate closings” also include closings for any transaction wherein consideration is paid by a party to such transaction to effectuate a change in the ownership of real property in Connecticut.

Violations of the law constitute a violation of subdivision 8 of subsection (a) of section 51-88 of the Connecticut General Statutes, subjecting an individual to criminal penalties set forth in section 51-88(b) of the Connecticut General Statutes for the unauthorized practice of law.