CHAPTER 814c
HUMAN RIGHTS AND OPPORTUNITIES

PART I
GENERAL PROVISIONS

      Sec. 46a-51. (Formerly Sec. 31-122). Definitions. As used in section 4a-60a and this chapter:

      (1) "Blind" refers to an individual whose central visual acuity does not exceed 20/ 200 in the better eye with correcting lenses, or whose visual acuity is greater than 20/ 200 but is accompanied by a limitation in the fields of vision such that the widest diameter of the visual field subtends an angle no greater than twenty degrees;

      (2) "Commission" means the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities created by section 46a-52;

      (3) "Commission legal counsel" means a member of the legal staff employed by the commission pursuant to section 46a-54;

      (4) "Commissioner" means a member of the commission;

      (5) "Court" means the Superior Court or any judge of said court;

      (6) "Discrimination" includes segregation and separation;

      (7) "Discriminatory employment practice" means any discriminatory practice specified in section 46a-60 or 46a-81c;

      (8) "Discriminatory practice" means a violation of section 4a-60, 4a-60a, 4a-60g, 46a-58, 46a-59, 46a-60, 46a-64, 46a-64c, 46a-66, 46a-68, 46a-68c to 46a-68f, inclusive, or 46a-70 to 46a-78, inclusive, subsection (a) of section 46a-80 or sections 46a-81b to 46a-81o, inclusive;

      (9) "Employee" means any person employed by an employer but shall not include any individual employed by such individual's parents, spouse or child, or in the domestic service of any person;

      (10) "Employer" includes the state and all political subdivisions thereof and means any person or employer with three or more persons in such person's or employer's employ;

      (11) "Employment agency" means any person undertaking with or without compensation to procure employees or opportunities to work;

      (12) "Labor organization" means any organization which exists for the purpose, in whole or in part, of collective bargaining or of dealing with employers concerning grievances, terms or conditions of employment, or of other mutual aid or protection in connection with employment;

      (13) "Intellectual disability" means intellectual disability as defined in section 1-1g;

      (14) "Person" means one or more individuals, partnerships, associations, corporations, limited liability companies, legal representatives, trustees, trustees in bankruptcy, receivers and the state and all political subdivisions and agencies thereof;

      (15) "Physically disabled" refers to any individual who has any chronic physical handicap, infirmity or impairment, whether congenital or resulting from bodily injury, organic processes or changes or from illness, including, but not limited to, epilepsy, deafness or hearing impairment or reliance on a wheelchair or other remedial appliance or device;

      (16) "Respondent" means any person alleged in a complaint filed pursuant to section 46a-82 to have committed a discriminatory practice;

      (17) "Discrimination on the basis of sex" includes but is not limited to discrimination related to pregnancy, child-bearing capacity, sterilization, fertility or related medical conditions;

      (18) "Discrimination on the basis of religious creed" includes but is not limited to discrimination related to all aspects of religious observances and practice as well as belief, unless an employer demonstrates that the employer is unable to reasonably accommodate to an employee's or prospective employee's religious observance or practice without undue hardship on the conduct of the employer's business;

      (19) "Learning disability" refers to an individual who exhibits a severe discrepancy between educational performance and measured intellectual ability and who exhibits a disorder in one or more of the basic psychological processes involved in understanding or in using language, spoken or written, which may manifest itself in a diminished ability to listen, speak, read, write, spell or to do mathematical calculations;

      (20) "Mental disability" refers to an individual who has a record of, or is regarded as having one or more mental disorders, as defined in the most recent edition of the American Psychiatric Association's "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders"; and

      (21) "Gender identity or expression" means a person's gender-related identity, appearance or behavior, whether or not that gender-related identity, appearance or behavior is different from that traditionally associated with the person's physiology or assigned sex at birth, which gender-related identity can be shown by providing evidence including, but not limited to, medical history, care or treatment of the gender-related identity, consistent and uniform assertion of the gender-related identity or any other evidence that the gender-related identity is sincerely held, part of a person's core identity or not being asserted for an improper purpose.

      (1949 Rev., S. 7401; 1959, P.A. 145, S. 1; 1967, P.A. 253; 636, S. 5, 6; P.A. 75-350, S. 1; P.A. 76-96, S. 1, 2; P.A. 77-452, S. 61, 72; P.A. 80-422, S. 1; 80-449, S. 3, 6; P.A. 81-81, S. 3; 81-382, S. 1; P.A. 82-51, S. 2; P.A. 83-587, S. 56, 96; P.A. 84-204; P.A. 88-303, S. 4; P.A. 90-246, S. 1; 90-330, S. 2, 11; P.A. 91-58, S. 20; P.A. 95-79, S. 167, 189; P.A. 01-28, S. 1; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-6, S. 189; P.A. 07-142, S. 1; P.A. 11-55, S. 1; 11-129, S. 20.)

      History: 1959 act added Subdiv. (k) defining age; 1967 acts redefined "employer" as one with three or more rather than five or more employees and redefined "commission" and "commissioner" to change commission name from commission on civil rights to commission on human rights and opportunities; P.A. 75-350 deleted definition of "age", i.e. as "any age between forty and sixty-five, inclusive"; P.A. 76-96 redefined "court" as court of common pleas rather than superior court; P.A. 77-452 redefined "court" as superior court; P.A. 80-422 deleted definition of "unfair employment practice", defined "blind", "commission counsel", "discriminatory employment practice", "discriminatory practice", "mental retardation" and "respondent", replaced alphabetic Subdiv. indicators with numeric indicators and arranged definitions in alphabetical order; P.A. 80-449 made no substantive change; Sec. 31-122 transferred to Sec. 46a-51 in 1981; P.A. 81-81 amended Subdiv. (8) by adding reference to "section 47a-2a" which was subsequently transferred and redesignated Sec. 46a-64a; P.A. 81-382 added Subdiv. (17) defining "discrimination on the basis of sex"; P.A. 82-51 redefined "mental retardation" to adopt the definition of Sec. 1-1g of the general statutes; P.A. 83-587 substituted "46a-54" for "46-54" in Subdiv. (3); P.A. 84-204 added Subdiv. (18) defining "discrimination on the basis of religious creed"; P.A. 88-303 redefined "discriminatory practice" to include a violation of Sec. 4-114a; P.A. 90-246 amended Subdiv. (8) by deleting reference to repealed Sec. 46a-64a and adding reference to Sec. 46a-64c; P.A. 90-330 added definition of "learning disability"; P.A. 91-58 added reference in introductory clause to Sec. 4a-60a and proposed to add reference to Secs. 46a-81a to 46a-81o, inclusive, but said Secs. already included in existing reference to "this chapter", amended definition of "discriminatory employment practice" to add reference to Sec. 46a-81c, and amended definition of "discriminatory practice" to include a violation of Sec. 4a-60a and Secs. 46a-81b to 46a-81o, inclusive; P.A. 95-79 redefined "person" to include limited liability companies, effective May 31, 1995; P.A. 01-28 added Subdiv. (20) defining "mental disability" and made technical changes for the purpose of gender neutrality in Subdivs. (9), (10) and (18); June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-6 replaced "commission counsel" with "commission legal counsel" as the defined term and replaced "the counsel employed by the commission pursuant to section 46a-54" with "a member of the legal staff employed by the commission pursuant to section 46a-54" as the definition of said term, effective August 20, 2003; P.A. 07-142 amended Subdiv. (8) by adding reference to Sec. 4a-60g and Secs. 46a-68c to 46a-68f, inclusive, and making technical changes, effective July 1, 2007; P.A. 11-55 added Subdiv. (21) defining "gender identity or expression"; pursuant to P.A. 11-129, "mental retardation" was changed editorially by the Revisors to "intellectual disability" in Subdiv. (13).

      Sec. 46a-55. (Formerly Sec. 31-125a). Commission legal counsel. (a) The executive director, through the supervising attorney, shall assign a commission legal counsel to represent the commission in any proceeding wherein any state agency or state officer is an adversary party and in such other matters as the commission and the Attorney General may jointly prescribe.

      (b) The executive director, through the supervising attorney, may assign a commission legal counsel to represent the commission in any hearing or appeal under subdivision (3) of subsection (b) of section 4-61dd.

      (1967, P.A. 715, S. 2; P.A. 80-422, S. 4; May 9 Sp. Sess. P.A. 02-7, S. 93; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-6, S. 191; P.A. 05-201, S. 2; P.A. 11-237, S. 2.)

      History: P.A. 80-422 rephrased provisions and authorized counsel to represent commission in proceeding where state officers are adversary parties; Sec. 31-125a transferred to Sec. 46a-55 in 1981; May 9 Sp. Sess. P.A. 02-7 required commission counsel to report to the executive director on a day-to-day basis and required executive director to evaluate the performance of the commission counsel, effective August 15, 2002; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-6 replaced "The commission counsel shall represent the commission" with "The executive director shall assign a commission legal counsel to represent the commission", replaced "The commission counsel" with "Each commission legal counsel" and deleted provision requiring the executive director to evaluate the performance of the commission counsel, effective August 20, 2003; P.A. 05-201 added provision re assignment through the supervising attorney and deleted provisions re representation of commission, bar membership and reports, effective July 6, 2005; P.A. 11-237 designated existing provisions as Subsec. (a) and added Subsec. (b) re executive director assigning commission legal counsel to represent commission in hearings or appeals under Sec. 4-61dd(b)(3).

PART II
DISCRIMINATORY PRACTICES

      Sec. 46a-58. (Formerly Sec. 53-34). Deprivation of rights. Desecration of property. Placing of burning cross or noose on property. Penalty. (a) It shall be a discriminatory practice in violation of this section for any person to subject, or cause to be subjected, any other person to the deprivation of any rights, privileges or immunities, secured or protected by the Constitution or laws of this state or of the United States, on account of religion, national origin, alienage, color, race, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, blindness or physical disability.

      (b) Any person who intentionally desecrates any public property, monument or structure, or any religious object, symbol or house of religious worship, or any cemetery, or any private structure not owned by such person, shall be in violation of subsection (a) of this section. For the purposes of this subsection, "desecrate" means to mar, deface or damage as a demonstration of irreverence or contempt.

      (c) Any person who places a burning cross or a simulation thereof on any public property, or on any private property without the written consent of the owner, shall be in violation of subsection (a) of this section.

      (d) Any person who places a noose or a simulation thereof on any public property, or on any private property without the written consent of the owner, and with intent to intimidate or harass any other person on account of religion, national origin, alienage, color, race, sex, sexual orientation, blindness or physical disability, shall be in violation of subsection (a) of this section.

      (e) Any person who violates any provision of this section shall be guilty of a class A misdemeanor, except that if property is damaged as a consequence of such violation in an amount in excess of one thousand dollars, such person shall be guilty of a class D felony.

      (1949 Rev., S. 8374; P.A. 74-80; P.A. 77-278, S. 1; P.A. 80-54; 80-422, S. 7; P.A. 84-15; P.A. 05-288, S. 155; P.A. 07-62, S. 1; 07-217, S. 166; P.A. 08-49, S. 1; P.A. 11-55, S. 22.)

      History: P.A. 74-80 applied penalty to discrimination based on sex and specified violation as class A misdemeanor, deleting penalty of maximum fine of $1,000 and/or maximum imprisonment of one year; P.A. 77-278 applied penalty to discrimination based on blindness or physical disability; P.A. 80-54 applied penalty to discrimination based on religion or national origin and added Subsecs. (b) and (c) re desecration of property and burning crosses on property; P.A. 80-422 rephrased Subsec. (a) and designated penalty provision formerly in Subsec. (a) as Subsec. (d); Sec. 53-34 transferred to Sec. 46a-58 in 1981; P.A. 84-15 amended Subsec. (d) by increasing the penalty to a class D felony if property is damaged in an amount in excess of $1,000; P.A. 05-288 made a technical change in Subsec. (c), effective July 13, 2005; P.A. 07-62 amended Subsec. (a) by applying penalty to discrimination based on sexual orientation; P.A. 07-217 made technical changes in Subsec. (b), effective July 12, 2007; P.A. 08-49 added new Subsec. (d) re placing a noose or simulation thereof on property with intent to intimidate or harass another person and redesignated existing Subsec. (d) as Subsec. (e); P.A. 11-55 amended Subsec. (a) to prohibit deprivation of rights, privileges or immunities on account of gender identity or expression.

      Sec. 46a-59. (Formerly Sec. 53-35a). Discrimination in associations of licensed persons prohibited. Penalty. (a) It shall be a discriminatory practice in violation of this section for any association, board or other organization the principal purpose of which is the furtherance of the professional or occupational interests of its members, whose profession, trade or occupation requires a state license, to refuse to accept a person as a member of such association, board or organization because of his race, national origin, creed, sex, gender identity or expression or color.

      (b) Any association, board or other organization which violates the provisions of this section shall be fined not less than one hundred dollars nor more than five hundred dollars.

      (February, 1965, P.A. 433, S. 1; 1967, P.A. 39; P.A. 80-422, S. 8; P.A. 11-55, S. 23.)

      History: 1967 act applied penalty to refusal to accept person as a member because of national origin or sex; P.A. 80-422 divided section into Subsecs. and restated provisions; Sec. 53-35a transferred to Sec. 46a-59 in 1981; P.A. 11-55 amended Subsec. (a) to prohibit discrimination on basis of gender identity or expression.

      Sec. 46a-60. (Formerly Sec. 31-126). Discriminatory employment practices prohibited. (a) It shall be a discriminatory practice in violation of this section:

      (1) For an employer, by the employer or the employer's agent, except in the case of a bona fide occupational qualification or need, to refuse to hire or employ or to bar or to discharge from employment any individual or to discriminate against such individual in compensation or in terms, conditions or privileges of employment because of the individual's race, color, religious creed, age, sex, gender identity or expression, marital status, national origin, ancestry, present or past history of mental disability, intellectual disability, learning disability or physical disability, including, but not limited to, blindness;

      (2) For any employment agency, except in the case of a bona fide occupational qualification or need, to fail or refuse to classify properly or refer for employment or otherwise to discriminate against any individual because of such individual's race, color, religious creed, age, sex, gender identity or expression, marital status, national origin, ancestry, present or past history of mental disability, intellectual disability, learning disability or physical disability, including, but not limited to, blindness;

      (3) For a labor organization, because of the race, color, religious creed, age, sex, gender identity or expression, marital status, national origin, ancestry, present or past history of mental disability, intellectual disability, learning disability or physical disability, including, but not limited to, blindness of any individual to exclude from full membership rights or to expel from its membership such individual or to discriminate in any way against any of its members or against any employer or any individual employed by an employer, unless such action is based on a bona fide occupational qualification;

      (4) For any person, employer, labor organization or employment agency to discharge, expel or otherwise discriminate against any person because such person has opposed any discriminatory employment practice or because such person has filed a complaint or testified or assisted in any proceeding under section 46a-82, 46a-83 or 46a-84;

      (5) For any person, whether an employer or an employee or not, to aid, abet, incite, compel or coerce the doing of any act declared to be a discriminatory employment practice or to attempt to do so;

      (6) For any person, employer, employment agency or labor organization, except in the case of a bona fide occupational qualification or need, to advertise employment opportunities in such a manner as to restrict such employment so as to discriminate against individuals because of their race, color, religious creed, age, sex, gender identity or expression, marital status, national origin, ancestry, present or past history of mental disability, intellectual disability, learning disability or physical disability, including, but not limited to, blindness;

      (7) For an employer, by the employer or the employer's agent: (A) To terminate a woman's employment because of her pregnancy; (B) to refuse to grant to that employee a reasonable leave of absence for disability resulting from her pregnancy; (C) to deny to that employee, who is disabled as a result of pregnancy, any compensation to which she is entitled as a result of the accumulation of disability or leave benefits accrued pursuant to plans maintained by the employer; (D) to fail or refuse to reinstate the employee to her original job or to an equivalent position with equivalent pay and accumulated seniority, retirement, fringe benefits and other service credits upon her signifying her intent to return unless, in the case of a private employer, the employer's circumstances have so changed as to make it impossible or unreasonable to do so; (E) to fail or refuse to make a reasonable effort to transfer a pregnant employee to any suitable temporary position which may be available in any case in which an employee gives written notice of her pregnancy to her employer and the employer or pregnant employee reasonably believes that continued employment in the position held by the pregnant employee may cause injury to the employee or fetus; (F) to fail or refuse to inform the pregnant employee that a transfer pursuant to subparagraph (E) of this subdivision may be appealed under the provisions of this chapter; or (G) to fail or refuse to inform employees of the employer, by any reasonable means, that they must give written notice of their pregnancy in order to be eligible for transfer to a temporary position;

      (8) For an employer, by the employer or the employer's agent, for an employment agency, by itself or its agent, or for any labor organization, by itself or its agent, to harass any employee, person seeking employment or member on the basis of sex or gender identity or expression. "Sexual harassment" shall, for the purposes of this section, be defined as any unwelcome sexual advances or requests for sexual favors or any conduct of a sexual nature when (A) submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual's employment, (B) submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for employment decisions affecting such individual, or (C) such conduct has the purpose or effect of substantially interfering with an individual's work performance or creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive working environment;

      (9) For an employer, by the employer or the employer's agent, for an employment agency, by itself or its agent, or for any labor organization, by itself or its agent, to request or require information from an employee, person seeking employment or member relating to the individual's child-bearing age or plans, pregnancy, function of the individual's reproductive system, use of birth control methods, or the individual's familial responsibilities, unless such information is directly related to a bona fide occupational qualification or need, provided an employer, through a physician may request from an employee any such information which is directly related to workplace exposure to substances which may cause birth defects or constitute a hazard to an individual's reproductive system or to a fetus if the employer first informs the employee of the hazards involved in exposure to such substances;

      (10) For an employer, by the employer or the employer's agent, after informing an employee, pursuant to subdivision (9) of this subsection, of a workplace exposure to substances which may cause birth defects or constitute a hazard to an employee's reproductive system or to a fetus, to fail or refuse, upon the employee's request, to take reasonable measures to protect the employee from the exposure or hazard identified, or to fail or refuse to inform the employee that the measures taken may be the subject of a complaint filed under the provisions of this chapter. Nothing in this subdivision is intended to prohibit an employer from taking reasonable measures to protect an employee from exposure to such substances. For the purpose of this subdivision, "reasonable measures" shall be those measures which are consistent with business necessity and are least disruptive of the terms and conditions of the employee's employment;

      (11) For an employer, by the employer or the employer's agent, for an employment agency, by itself or its agent, or for any labor organization, by itself or its agent: (A) To request or require genetic information from an employee, person seeking employment or member, or (B) to discharge, expel or otherwise discriminate against any person on the basis of genetic information. For the purpose of this subdivision, "genetic information" means the information about genes, gene products or inherited characteristics that may derive from an individual or a family member.

      (b) (1) The provisions of this section concerning age shall not apply to: (A) The termination of employment of any person with a contract of unlimited tenure at an independent institution of higher education who is mandatorily retired, on or before July 1, 1993, after having attained the age of seventy; (B) the termination of employment of any person who has attained the age of sixty-five and who, for the two years immediately preceding such termination, is employed in a bona fide executive or a high policy-making position, if such person is entitled to an immediate nonforfeitable annual retirement benefit under a pension, profit-sharing, savings or deferred compensation plan, or any combination of such plans, from such person's employer, which equals, in aggregate, at least forty-four thousand dollars; (C) the termination of employment of persons in occupations, including police work and fire-fighting, in which age is a bona fide occupational qualification; (D) the operation of any bona fide apprenticeship system or plan; or (E) the observance of the terms of a bona fide seniority system or any bona fide employee benefit plan for retirement, pensions or insurance which is not adopted for the purpose of evading said provisions, except that no such plan may excuse the failure to hire any individual and no such system or plan may require or permit the termination of employment on the basis of age. No such plan which covers less than twenty employees may reduce the group hospital, surgical or medical insurance coverage provided under the plan to any employee who has reached the age of sixty-five and is eligible for Medicare benefits or any employee's spouse who has reached age sixty-five and is eligible for Medicare benefits except to the extent such coverage is provided by Medicare. The terms of any such plan which covers twenty or more employees shall entitle any employee who has attained the age of sixty-five and any employee's spouse who has attained the age of sixty-five to group hospital, surgical or medical insurance coverage under the same conditions as any covered employee or spouse who is under the age of sixty-five.

      (2) No employee retirement or pension plan may exclude any employee from membership in such plan or cease or reduce the employee's benefit accruals or allocations under such plan on the basis of age. The provisions of this subdivision shall be applicable to plan years beginning on or after January 1, 1988, except that for any collectively bargained plan this subdivision shall be applicable on the earlier of (A) January 1, 1990, or (B) the later of (i) the expiration date of the collective bargaining agreement, or (ii) January 1, 1988.

      (3) The provisions of this section concerning age shall not prohibit an employer from requiring medical examinations for employees for the purpose of determining such employees' physical qualification for continued employment.

      (4) Any employee who continues employment beyond the normal retirement age in the applicable retirement or pension plan shall give notice of intent to retire, in writing, to such employee's employer not less than thirty days prior to the date of such retirement.

      (1949 Rev., S. 7405; 1955, S. 3035d; 1959, P.A. 145, S. 3; 1963, P.A. 261; 1967, P.A. 426, S. 2; P.A. 73-279, S. 14; 73-647; P.A. 75-350, S. 2; 75-446, S. 2; P.A. 78-148, S. 10; 78-350, S. 1, 6; P.A. 79-152; 79-303; 79-304, S. 1; 79-480, S. 1; P.A. 80-285; 80-422, S. 9; P.A. 81-382, S. 2; P.A. 82-196, S. 1; P.A. 86-381; P.A. 88-303, S. 3, 6; P.A. 89-147, S. 1, 3; P.A. 90-88, S. 3; 90-330, S. 3, 11; P.A. 98-180; P.A. 01-28, S. 8; P.A. 11-55, S. 24; 11-129, S. 20.)

      History: 1959 act specified that discrimination based on age is unfair employment practice in Subdivs. (a), (b), (c) and (f), added exception re bona fide occupational qualification or need in Subdiv. (f) and added provision specifying when provisions of section are not applicable; 1963 act limited provision specifying when section does not apply to provisions "as to age"; 1967 act specified that discrimination based on sex is unfair employment practice in Subdivs. (a), (b), (c) and (f); P.A. 73-279 made discrimination based on physical disability including blindness an unfair employment practice in Subdivs. (a), (b), (c) and (f); P.A. 73-647 added Subdiv. (g) re termination of employment because of pregnancy as unfair employment practice; P.A. 75-350 added proviso in Subdiv. (1) of provision specifying when section does not apply re new employees' inclusion in existing retirement or pension plans and collective bargaining agreements; P.A. 75-446 made discrimination because of marital status an unfair employment practice in Subdivs. (a), (b), (c) and (f); P.A. 78-148 made discrimination because of mental retardation an unfair employment practice in Subdivs. (a), (b), (c) and (f); P.A. 78-350 revised previous provision specifying inapplicability of section to delete inapplicability re termination of employment where employee is entitled to benefits under retirement or pension plan or collective bargaining agreement and re operation of terms of retirement or pension plan or group or employee insurance plan, inserting new provisions as Subdivs. (1) to (3); P.A. 79-152 divided section into Subsecs., replacing alphabetic Subdiv. indicators with numeric indicators accordingly and adding provision in Subsec. (a)(7), formerly Subdiv. (g), re transfer of pregnant employee to temporary position; P.A. 79-303 revised Subsec. (b)(1) to include retirement or pension plans for employees of higher education institution, and, in conjunction with P.A. 79-304, expanded Subsec. (b)(2) re age and level of position and added Subdiv. (b)(5); P.A. 79-480 specified discrimination based on present or past history of mental disorder as unfair employment practice in Subsec. (a); P.A. 80-285 added Subsec. (a)(8) re sexual harassment; P.A. 80-422 rephrased provisions, substituted "discriminatory" for "unfair" employment practices and added Subdivs. (2) to (4) in Subsec. (b); Sec. 31-126 transferred to Sec. 46a-60 in 1981; P.A. 81-382 added Subdivs. (9) and (10) as discriminatory practices; P.A. 82-196 amended Subsec. (b) to limit the allowable reduction in employee benefit plan insurance coverage provided to any employee who has reached the age of 65 to the amount of such coverage available under Medicare; P.A. 86-381 amended Subdiv. (1) of Subsec. (b)(1) to increase from $27,000 to $44,000 the threshold amount of annual retirement benefits receivable by certain employees which permit the termination of their employment; P.A. 88-303 amended Subsec. (b)(1) by deleting provisions re inapplicability of section to a person who has reached the age of 70 and is entitled to benefits under a pension or retirement plan for state or municipal employees or for certain teachers; inserting a provision specifying that the section is applicable to certain teachers at independent institutions of higher education who are mandatorily retired on or before December 31, 1993, after reaching age 70, removing the provision to limit the allowable reduction in employee benefit plan insurance coverage provided to any employee who has reached the age of 65 to the amount of such coverage available under Medicare; providing that the terms of health insurance plans must entitle all employees to coverage under the same conditions regardless of age; rewriting Subdiv. (2) to prohibit age-based pension plan provisions and substituting "normal retirement age in the applicable retirement or pension plan" for "date on which he becomes eligible for the maximum possible retirement benefit available to him" in Subdiv. (4); P.A. 89-147 substituted July 1, 1993, for December 1, 1993, in Subpara. (A) of Subdiv. (1) of Subsec. (b) as the date before which certain persons may be mandatorily retired after reaching age 70 and to which the section does not apply; P.A. 90-88 amended Subsec. (b)(1) to allow for the provision of reduced coverage for Medicare eligible employees of employers with less than 20 employees; P.A. 90-330 amended Subsec. (a) to include persons with learning disabilities; (Revisor's note: In 1995 the indicators (1), (2) and (3) in Subsec. (a)(8) were changed editorially by the Revisors to (A), (B) and (C) respectively for consistency with statutory usage); P.A. 98-180 added Subsec. (a)(11) making discrimination based on genetic information a discriminatory practice; P.A. 01-28 made technical changes for the purpose of gender neutrality in Subsecs. (a) and (b) and amended Subsec. (a) by changing "mental disorder" to "mental disability"; P.A. 11-55 amended Subsec. (a) to prohibit in Subdivs. (1), (2), (3) and (6) discrimination because of an individual's gender identity or expression and prohibit in Subdiv. (8) harassment on the basis of an individual's gender identity or expression; pursuant to P.A. 11-129, "mental retardation" was changed editorially by the Revisors to "intellectual disability" in Subsec. (a).

      Sec. 46a-64. (Formerly Sec. 53-35). Discriminatory public accommodations practices prohibited. Penalty. (a) It shall be a discriminatory practice in violation of this section: (1) To deny any person within the jurisdiction of this state full and equal accommodations in any place of public accommodation, resort or amusement because of race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender identity or expression, marital status, age, lawful source of income, intellectual disability, mental disability or physical disability, including, but not limited to, blindness or deafness of the applicant, subject only to the conditions and limitations established by law and applicable alike to all persons; (2) to discriminate, segregate or separate on account of race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender identity or expression, marital status, age, lawful source of income, intellectual disability, mental disability, learning disability or physical disability, including, but not limited to, blindness or deafness; (3) for a place of public accommodation, resort or amusement to restrict or limit the right of a mother to breast-feed her child; (4) for a place of public accommodation, resort or amusement to fail or refuse to post a notice, in a conspicuous place, that any blind, deaf or mobility impaired person, accompanied by his guide dog wearing a harness or an orange-colored leash and collar, may enter such premises or facilities; or (5) to deny any blind, deaf or mobility impaired person or any person training a dog as a guide dog for a blind person or a dog to assist a deaf or mobility impaired person, accompanied by his guide dog or assistance dog, full and equal access to any place of public accommodation, resort or amusement. Any blind, deaf or mobility impaired person or any person training a dog as a guide dog for a blind person or a dog to assist a deaf or mobility impaired person may keep his guide dog or assistance dog with him at all times in such place of public accommodation, resort or amusement at no extra charge, provided the dog wears a harness or an orange-colored leash and collar and is in the direct custody of such person. The blind, deaf or mobility impaired person or person training a dog as a guide dog for a blind person or a dog to assist a deaf or mobility impaired person shall be liable for any damage done to the premises or facilities by his dog. For purposes of this subdivision, "guide dog" or "assistance dog" includes a dog being trained as a guide dog or assistance dog and "person training a dog as a guide dog for a blind person or a dog to assist a deaf or mobility impaired person" means a person who is employed by and authorized to engage in designated training activities by a guide dog organization or assistance dog organization that complies with the criteria for membership in a professional association of guide dog or assistance dog schools and who carries photographic identification indicating such employment and authorization.

      (b) (1) The provisions of this section with respect to the prohibition of sex discrimination shall not apply to (A) the rental of sleeping accommodations provided by associations and organizations which rent all such sleeping accommodations on a temporary or permanent basis for the exclusive use of persons of the same sex or (B) separate bathrooms or locker rooms based on sex. (2) The provisions of this section with respect to the prohibition of discrimination on the basis of age shall not apply to minors or to special discount or other public or private programs to assist persons sixty years of age and older. (3) The provisions of this section with respect to the prohibition of discrimination on the basis of physical disability shall not require any person to modify his property in any way or provide a higher degree of care for a physically disabled person, including, but not limited to blind or deaf persons, than for a person not physically disabled. (4) The provisions of this section with respect to the prohibition of discrimination on the basis of creed shall not apply to the practice of granting preference in admission of residents into a nursing home as defined in section 19a-490, if (A) the nursing home is owned, operated by or affiliated with a religious organization, exempt from taxation for federal income tax purposes and (B) the class of persons granted preference in admission is consistent with the religious mission of the nursing home. (5) The provisions of this section with respect to the prohibition of discrimination on the basis of lawful source of income shall not prohibit the denial of full and equal accommodations solely on the basis of insufficient income.

      (c) Any person who violates any provision of this section shall be fined not less than twenty-five dollars or more than one hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than thirty days, or both.

      (1949 Rev., S. 8375; 1949, 1953, S. 3267d; 1959, P.A. 113; 1961, P.A. 472; 1963, P.A. 594; February, 1965, P.A. 141; 1967, P.A. 177, S. 1; 1972, P.A. 186, S. 15; P.A. 73-119; 73-279, S. 6; P.A. 74-205; P.A. 75-323; P.A. 76-49, S. 3; P.A. 77-604, S. 37, 84; P.A. 78-148, S. 12; P.A. 79-186; P.A. 80-422, S. 12; 80-483, S. 135, 186; P.A. 85-289, S. 7; 85-512, S. 5; P.A. 88-114; 88-288; P.A. 89-21, S. 2; 89-288, S. 2; P.A. 90-230, S. 63, 101; 90-246, S. 3; 90-330, S. 4, 11; P.A. 94-238, S. 4, 6; P.A. 97-141, S. 2; 97-210, S. 1; P.A. 07-217, S. 167; P.A. 11-55, S. 25; 11-129, S. 20.)

      History: 1959 act included as place of public accommodation housing which is one of five or more accommodations located on a single parcel or contiguous parcels of land and owned and controlled by any person; 1961 act included building lots as housing accommodations, reduced the number of accommodations to be subject to section from five to three and made person who owned or controlled the accommodations within one year prior to a violation liable and provided ownership or control by the same interests would be deemed to be by one person; 1963 act deleted the aforesaid provisions re accommodations on a single parcel of land making the statute applicable to a single accommodation or lot and added Subdivs. (1) and (2); 1965 act added prohibition against discrimination by reason of national origin or ancestry; 1967 act added commercial property and buildings; 1972 act included mobile home parks as place of public accommodation, resort or amusement in Subsec. (a); P.A. 73-119 specified discrimination based on sex as violation of section and specified inapplicability of section re sex discrimination to rental of sleeping accommodations by associations or organizations when rent accommodations for exclusive use of persons of same sex; P.A. 73-279 prohibited discrimination because of physical disability including blindness, inserted new Subsecs. (b) and (c) qualifying said prohibition, designated penalty provisions as Subsec. (d) and relettered former Subsec. (b) as (e); P.A. 74-205 prohibited discrimination based on marital status and added provision rendering that prohibition inapplicable to cases where housing accommodation denied to man and woman who are unrelated and not married to each other; P.A. 75-323 prohibited discrimination on basis of age and added provision limiting that prohibition with respect to minors, housing for elderly and housing exclusively for persons within specified age groups; P.A. 76-49 prohibited discrimination based on deafness, applied provisions of Subsecs. (b) and (c) to deaf persons and defined "deaf person" in Subsec. (b); P.A. 77-604 made technical correction in Subsec. (a); P.A. 78-148 prohibited discrimination based on mental retardation in Subsec. (a); P.A. 79-186 required posting of notice re guide dogs in Subsec. (c); P.A. 80-422 rephrased and rearranged provisions, deleted provisions defining "place of public accommodation, resort or amusement" and "deaf person", deleted former Subsec. (e) which specified that section does not apply to proceedings pending before civil rights commission or any court on October 1, 1963, and extended provision limiting prohibition on age discrimination to include discount and other programs for persons 60 and older; P.A. 80-483 added feminine personal pronouns in Subsec. (c); Sec. 53-35 transferred to Sec. 46a-64 in 1981; P.A. 85-289 made Subsec. (a) applicable to mobility impaired persons; P.A. 85-512 amended section to provide for exemption from age discrimination prohibition for certain mobile manufactured home parks; P.A. 88-114 added Subsec. (b)(6) exempting practice of granting preference in admission of residents into a nursing home from provisions of section re discrimination on basis of creed if it is owned, operated by or affiliated with a religious organization, exempt from taxation and the class of persons granted preference in admission is consistent with religious mission of nursing home; P.A. 88-288 added reference to mental disability in Subsec. (a); P.A. 89-21 added option that guide dog wear an orange-colored leash and collar; P.A. 89-288 amended Subsec. (a) to prohibit discrimination in places of public accommodation based on lawful source of income and added new Subsec. (b)(7) rendering the prohibition inapplicable to cases where the denial of full and equal accommodations is solely based on insufficient income; P.A. 90-230 made a technical change in Subsec. (a); P.A. 90-246 amended Subsec. (b) by deleting references to housing accommodations or mobile manufactured home parks; P.A. 90-330 amended Subsec. (a) by adding reference to persons with "learning disability"; P.A. 94-238 amended Subsec. (b) by exempting separate bathrooms or locker rooms based on sex, effective July 1, 1994; P.A. 97-141 amended Subsec. (a) to make provisions applicable with respect to any person training a dog as a guide dog for a blind person or a dog to assist a deaf or mobility impaired person, and to add definitions of "assistance dog", "guide dog" and "person training a dog as a guide dog for a blind person or a dog to assist a deaf or mobility impaired person"; P.A. 97-210 added new Subsec. (a)(3) re breast-feeding and renumbering the remaining Subdivs; P.A. 07-217 made technical changes in Subsec. (c), effective July 12, 2007; P.A. 11-55 amended Subsec. (a)(1) and (2) to prohibit discrimination on basis of gender identity or expression; pursuant to P.A. 11-129, "mental retardation" was changed editorially by the Revisors to "intellectual disability" in Subsec. (a).

      Sec. 46a-64c. Discriminatory housing practices prohibited. Disposition of complaints. Penalty. (a) It shall be a discriminatory practice in violation of this section:

      (1) To refuse to sell or rent after the making of a bona fide offer, or to refuse to negotiate for the sale or rental of, or otherwise make unavailable or deny, a dwelling to any person because of race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender identity or expression, marital status, age, lawful source of income or familial status.

      (2) To discriminate against any person in the terms, conditions, or privileges of sale or rental of a dwelling, or in the provision of services or facilities in connection therewith, because of race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender identity or expression, marital status, age, lawful source of income or familial status.

      (3) To make, print or publish, or cause to be made, printed or published any notice, statement, or advertisement, with respect to the sale or rental of a dwelling that indicates any preference, limitation, or discrimination based on race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender identity or expression, marital status, age, lawful source of income, familial status, learning disability or physical or mental disability, or an intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.

      (4) (A) To represent to any person because of race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender identity or expression, marital status, age, lawful source of income, familial status, learning disability or physical or mental disability that any dwelling is not available for inspection, sale or rental when such dwelling is in fact so available.

      (B) It shall be a violation of this subdivision for any person to restrict or attempt to restrict the choices of any buyer or renter to purchase or rent a dwelling (i) to an area which is substantially populated, even if less than a majority, by persons of the same protected class as the buyer or renter, (ii) while such person is authorized to offer for sale or rent another dwelling which meets the housing criteria as expressed by the buyer or renter to such person, and (iii) such other dwelling is in an area which is not substantially populated by persons of the same protected class as the buyer or renter. As used in this subdivision, "area" means municipality, neighborhood or other geographic subdivision which may include an apartment or condominium complex; and "protected class" means race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender identity or expression, marital status, age, lawful source of income, familial status, learning disability or physical or mental disability.

      (5) For profit, to induce or attempt to induce any person to sell or rent any dwelling by representations regarding the entry or prospective entry into the neighborhood of a person or persons of a particular race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender identity or expression, marital status, age, lawful source of income, familial status, learning disability or physical or mental disability.

      (6) (A) To discriminate in the sale or rental, or to otherwise make unavailable or deny, a dwelling to any buyer or renter because of a learning disability or physical or mental disability of: (i) Such buyer or renter; (ii) a person residing in or intending to reside in such dwelling after it is so sold, rented, or made available; or (iii) any person associated with such buyer or renter.

      (B) To discriminate against any person in the terms, conditions or privileges of sale or rental of a dwelling, or in the provision of services or facilities in connection with such dwelling, because of a learning disability or physical or mental disability of: (i) Such person; or (ii) a person residing in or intending to reside in such dwelling after it is so sold, rented, or made available; or (iii) any person associated with such person.

      (C) For purposes of this subdivision, discrimination includes: (i) A refusal to permit, at the expense of a person with a physical or mental disability, reasonable modifications of existing premises occupied or to be occupied by such person if such modifications may be necessary to afford such person full enjoyment of the premises; except that, in the case of a rental, the landlord may, where it is reasonable to do so, condition permission for a modification on the renter agreeing to restore the interior of the premises to the condition that existed before the modification, reasonable wear and tear excepted; (ii) a refusal to make reasonable accommodations in rules, policies, practices or services, when such accommodations may be necessary to afford such person equal opportunity to use and enjoy a dwelling; (iii) in connection with the design and construction of covered multifamily dwellings for the first occupancy after March 13, 1991, a failure to design and construct those dwellings in such manner that they comply with the requirements of Section 804(f) of the Fair Housing Act or the provisions of the state building code as adopted pursuant to the provisions of sections 29-269 and 29-273, whichever requires greater accommodation. "Covered multifamily dwellings" means buildings consisting of four or more units if such buildings have one or more elevators, and ground floor units in other buildings consisting of four or more units.

      (7) For any person or other entity engaging in residential real-estate-related transactions to discriminate against any person in making available such a transaction, or in the terms or conditions of such a transaction, because of race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender identity or expression, marital status, age, lawful source of income, familial status, learning disability or physical or mental disability.

      (8) To deny any person access to or membership or participation in any multiple-listing service, real estate brokers' organization or other service, organization, or facility relating to the business of selling or renting dwellings, or to discriminate against him in the terms or conditions of such access, membership or participation, on account of race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender identity or expression, marital status, age, lawful source of income, familial status, learning disability or physical or mental disability.

      (9) To coerce, intimidate, threaten, or interfere with any person in the exercise or enjoyment of, or on account of his having exercised or enjoyed, or on account of his having aided or encouraged any other person in the exercise or enjoyment of, any right granted or protected by this section.

      (b) (1) The provisions of this section shall not apply to (A) the rental of a room or rooms in a single-family dwelling unit if the owner actually maintains and occupies part of such living quarters as his residence or (B) a unit in a dwelling containing living quarters occupied or intended to be occupied by no more than two families living independently of each other, if the owner actually maintains and occupies the other such living quarters as his residence. (2) The provisions of this section with respect to the prohibition of discrimination on the basis of marital status shall not be construed to prohibit the denial of a dwelling to a man or a woman who are both unrelated by blood and not married to each other. (3) The provisions of this section with respect to the prohibition of discrimination on the basis of age shall not apply to minors, to special discount or other public or private programs to assist persons sixty years of age and older or to housing for older persons as defined in section 46a-64b, provided there is no discrimination on the basis of age among older persons eligible for such housing. (4) The provisions of this section with respect to the prohibition of discrimination on the basis of familial status shall not apply to housing for older persons as defined in section 46a-64b or to a unit in a dwelling containing units for no more than four families living independently of each other, if the owner of such dwelling resides in one of the units. (5) The provisions of this section with respect to the prohibition of discrimination on the basis of lawful source of income shall not prohibit the denial of full and equal accommodations solely on the basis of insufficient income. (6) The provisions of this section with respect to the prohibition of discrimination on the basis of sex shall not apply to the rental of sleeping accommodations to the extent they utilize shared bathroom facilities when such sleeping accommodations are provided by associations and organizations which rent such sleeping accommodations on a temporary or permanent basis for the exclusive use of persons of the same sex based on considerations of privacy and modesty.

      (c) Nothing in this section limits the applicability of any reasonable state statute or municipal ordinance restricting the maximum number of persons permitted to occupy a dwelling.

      (d) Nothing in this section or section 46a-64b shall be construed to invalidate or limit any state statute or municipal ordinance that requires dwellings to be designed and constructed in a manner that affords persons with physical or mental disabilities greater access than is required by this section or section 46a-64b.

      (e) Nothing in this section prohibits a person engaged in the business of furnishing appraisals of real property to take into consideration factors other than race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender identity or expression, marital status, age, lawful source of income, familial status, learning disability or physical or mental disability.

      (f) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, complaints alleging a violation of this section shall be investigated within one hundred days of filing and a final administrative disposition shall be made within one year of filing unless it is impracticable to do so. If the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities is unable to complete its investigation or make a final administrative determination within such time frames, it shall notify the complainant and the respondent in writing of the reasons for not doing so.

      (g) Any person who violates any provision of this section shall be fined not less than twenty-five dollars or more than one hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than thirty days, or both.

      (P.A. 90-246, S. 5; P.A. 91-407, S. 1, 42; P.A. 92-257, S. 2; P.A. 07-217, S. 168; P.A. 11-55, S. 26, 27.)

      History: P.A. 91-407 added references to "learning disability" (Revisor's note: In Subsec. (a)(4)(B), numeric indicators within Subpara. (B) were changed editorially by the Revisors to lower case Roman numerals for consistency with usage elsewhere in section); P.A. 92-257 amended Subsec. (b) by adding "single-family" before "dwelling" and "unit" after "dwelling", adding "to the extent they utilize shared bathroom facilities when such sleeping accommodations are" after "sleeping accommodations" and adding phrase "based on considerations of privacy and modesty"; P.A. 07-217 made a technical change in Subsec. (g), effective July 12, 2007; P.A. 11-55 amended Subsecs. (a) and (e) to add references to gender identity or expression.

      Sec. 46a-66. (Formerly Sec. 36-437). Discriminatory credit practices prohibited. (a) It shall be a discriminatory practice in violation of this section for any creditor to discriminate on the basis of sex, gender identity or expression, age, race, color, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, marital status, intellectual disability, learning disability, blindness or physical disability against any person eighteen years of age or over in any credit transaction.

      (b) No liability may be imposed under this section for an act done or omitted in conformity with a regulation or declaratory ruling of the Banking Commissioner, the Federal Reserve Board or any other governmental agency having jurisdiction under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, notwithstanding that after the act or omission the regulation or declaratory ruling may be amended, repealed or determined to be invalid for any reason.

      (P.A. 73-573, S. 2; P.A. 75-281; P.A. 76-75; 76-171, S. 3; P.A. 77-604, S. 23, 84; P.A. 78-148, S. 11; P.A. 80-422, S. 14; P.A. 87-9, S. 2, 3; P.A. 90-330, S. 5, 11; P.A. 03-84, S. 33; P.A. 11-55, S. 28; 11-129, S. 20.)

      History: P.A. 75-281 prohibited age discrimination and qualified prohibition to apply to any person 18 years of age or over; P.A. 76-75 prohibited discrimination on basis of race, color, religious creed, national origin or ancestry; P.A. 76-171 prohibited discrimination on basis of blindness or physical disability; P.A. 77-604 deleted word "solely" following "discriminate"; P.A. 78-148 prohibited discrimination on basis of mental retardation; P.A. 80-422 substituted "a discriminatory practice in violation of this section" for "unlawful" in previous provision, designated as Subsec. (a), and added Subsec. (b) re liability; Sec. 36-437 transferred to Sec. 46a-66 in 1981; (Revisor's note: Pursuant to P.A. 87-9 "banking commissioner" was changed editorially by the Revisors to "commissioner of banking"); P.A. 90-330 amended Subsec. (a) to include persons with a learning disability; P.A. 03-84 changed "Commissioner of Banking" to "Banking Commissioner" in Subsec. (b), effective June 3, 2003; P.A. 11-55 amended Subsec. (a) to prohibit discrimination on basis of gender identity or expression; pursuant to P.A. 11-129, "mental retardation" was changed editorially by the Revisors to "intellectual disability" in Subsec. (a).

      Sec. 46a-68. (Formerly Sec. 4-61s). State affirmative action plans: Filing; monitoring; reports; equal employment opportunity officers; review and investigation of discrimination complaints; regulations. (a) Each state agency, department, board and commission with twenty-five, or more, full-time employees shall develop and implement, in cooperation with the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities, an affirmative action plan that commits the agency, department, board or commission to a program of affirmative action in all aspects of personnel and administration. Such plan shall be developed pursuant to regulations adopted by the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities in accordance with chapter 54 to ensure that affirmative action is undertaken as required by state and federal law to provide equal employment opportunities and to comply with all responsibilities under the provisions of sections 4-61u to 4-61w, inclusive, sections 46a-54 to 46a-64, inclusive, section 46a-64c and sections 46a-70 to 46a-78, inclusive. The executive head of each such agency, department, board or commission shall be directly responsible for the development, filing and implementation of such affirmative action plan. The Metropolitan District of Hartford County shall be deemed to be a state agency for purposes of this section.

      (b) (1) Each state agency, department, board or commission shall designate a full-time or part-time equal employment opportunity officer. If such equal employment opportunity officer is an employee of the agency, department, board or commission, the executive head of the agency, department, board or commission shall be directly responsible for the supervision of the officer.

      (2) The Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities shall provide training and technical assistance to equal employment opportunity officers in plan development and implementation.

      (3) The Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities and the Permanent Commission on the Status of Women shall provide training concerning state and federal discrimination laws and techniques for conducting investigations of discrimination complaints to persons designated by state agencies, departments, boards or commissions as equal employment opportunity officers and persons designated by the Attorney General or the Attorney General's designee to represent such agencies, departments, boards or commissions pursuant to subdivision (5) of this subsection. On or after October 1, 2011, such training shall be provided for a minimum of five hours during the first year of service or designation, and a minimum of three hours every two years thereafter.

      (4) (A) Each person designated by a state agency, department, board or commission as an equal employment opportunity officer shall (i) be responsible for mitigating any discriminatory conduct within the agency, department, board or commission, (ii) investigate all complaints of discrimination made against the state agency, department, board or commission, except if any such complaint has been filed with the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the state agency, department, board or commission may rely upon the process of the applicable commission, as applicable, in lieu of such investigation, and (iii) report all findings and recommendations upon the conclusion of an investigation to the commissioner or director of the state agency, department, board or commission for proper action.

      (B) Notwithstanding the provisions of subparagraphs (A)(i), (A)(ii) and (A)(iii) of this subdivision, if a discrimination complaint is made against the executive head of a state agency or department, any member of a state board or commission or any equal employment opportunity officer alleging that the executive head, member or officer directly or personally engaged in discriminatory conduct, or if a complaint of discrimination is made by the executive head of a state agency, any member of a state board or commission or any equal employment opportunity officer, the complaint shall be referred to the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities for review and, if appropriate, investigation by the Department of Administrative Services, except if any such complaint has been filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities, the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities or Department of Administrative Services may rely upon the process of the applicable commission in lieu of such investigation. If the discrimination complaint is made by or against the executive head, any member or the equal employment opportunity officer of the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities alleging that the executive head, member or officer directly or personally engaged in discriminatory conduct, the commission shall refer the complaint to the Department of Administrative Services for review and, if appropriate, investigation. If the complaint is by or against the executive head or equal employment opportunity officer of the Department of Administrative Services, the complaint shall be referred to the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities for review and, if appropriate, investigation. Each person who conducts an investigation pursuant to this subparagraph shall report all findings and recommendations upon the conclusion of such investigation to the appointing authority of the individual who was the subject of the complaint for proper action. The provisions of this subparagraph shall apply to any such complaint pending on or after July 5, 2007.

      (5) Each person designated by a state agency, department, board or commission as an equal employment opportunity officer, and each person designated by the Attorney General or the Attorney General's designee to represent an agency pursuant to subdivision (6) of this subsection, shall complete training provided by the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities and the Permanent Commission on the Status of Women pursuant to subdivision (3) of this subsection.

      (6) No person designated by a state agency, department, board or commission as an equal employment opportunity officer shall represent such agency, department, board or commission before the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission concerning a discrimination complaint. If a discrimination complaint is filed with the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission against a state agency, department, board or commission, the Attorney General, or the Attorney General's designee, other than the equal employment opportunity officer for such agency, department, board or commission, shall represent the state agency, department, board or commission before the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. In the case of a discrimination complaint filed against the Metropolitan District of Hartford County, the Attorney General, or the Attorney General's designee, shall not represent such district before the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

      (c) Each state agency, department, board and commission that employs two hundred fifty or more full-time employees shall file an affirmative action plan developed in accordance with subsection (a) of this section, with the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities, semiannually, except that any state agency, department, board or commission which has an affirmative action plan approved by the commission may be permitted to file its plan on an annual basis in a manner prescribed by the commission and any state agency, department, board or commission that employs twenty-five or more employees but fewer than two hundred fifty full-time employees shall file its affirmative action plan biennially, unless the commission disapproves the most recent submission of the plan, in which case the commission may require the resubmission of such plan by a time chosen by the commission, until the plan is approved. All affirmative action plans shall be filed electronically, if practicable.

      (d) The Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities shall review and formally approve, conditionally approve or disapprove the content of such affirmative action plans within ninety days of the submission of each plan to the commission. If the commissioners, by a majority vote of those present and voting, fail to approve, conditionally approve or disapprove a plan within such period, the plan shall be deemed to be approved. Any plan that is filed more than ninety days after the date such plan is due to be filed in accordance with the schedule established pursuant to subsection (g) of this section shall be deemed disapproved.

      (e) The Commissioner of Administrative Services and the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management shall cooperate with the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities to insure that the State Personnel Act and personnel regulations are administered, and that the process of collective bargaining is conducted by all parties in a manner consistent with the affirmative action responsibilities of the state.

      (f) The Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities shall monitor the activity of such plans within each state agency, department, board and commission and report to the Governor and the General Assembly on or before April first of each year concerning the results of such plans.

      (g) The Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities shall adopt regulations, in accordance with chapter 54, to carry out the requirements of this section. The executive director shall establish a schedule for semiannual, annual and biennial filing of plans.

      (P.A. 75-536, S. 1-3; P.A. 77-614, S. 66, 610; P.A. 79-255; P.A. 80-422, S. 16; P.A. 83-569, S. 12, 17; P.A. 84-41, S. 1, 2; P.A. 87-255; P.A. 90-246, S. 7; P.A. 99-233, S. 6, 7; P.A. 01-53, S. 1, 2; P.A. 03-151, S. 1; P.A. 05-287, S. 54; P.A. 07-181, S. 1; P.A. 09-87, S. 1; P.A. 11-51, S. 73; 11-61, S. 113.)

      History: P.A. 77-614 replaced department of personnel and administration, i.e. personnel department, with department of administrative services in Subsec. (a); P.A. 79-255 replaced department of administrative services with commission on human rights and opportunities, added exception re annual filing and required approval of plan within 75 rather than 60 days in Subsec. (b) and added Subsec. (d) re adoption of regulations; P.A. 80-422 updated section listing in Subsec. (a), designated provision re deadline for approval as Subsec. (c), deleted provisions re proceedings upon commission's issuance of complaint for failure to submit plan or submission of plan which violates laws and redesignated former Subsecs. (c) and (d) accordingly; Sec. 4-61s transferred to Sec. 46a-68 in 1981; P.A. 83-569 amended section to require designation of full or part-time affirmative action officers trained by commission, to eliminate specified filing dates for plans, to require formal approval or disapproval of plans within 75 days and to require the commissioner of administrative services and the secretary of the office of policy and management to cooperate with the commission to insure that state personnel act and regulations and the collective bargaining process are administered and conducted in a manner consistent with the affirmative action responsibilities of the state; P.A. 84-41 amended Subsec. (d) increasing length of time for commission to review plans from 75 to 90 days and providing if commissioners, by a majority of those "present and voting", fail to approve or disapprove plan, the plan shall be deemed approved; P.A. 87-255 added provisions in Subsec. (a) re direct responsibility for development, filing and implementation of affirmative action plan and added provisions in Subsec. (b) re direct responsibility for supervision of affirmative action officer; P.A. 90-246 amended Subsec. (a) by adding reference to Sec. 46a-64c; P.A. 99-233 amended Subsec. (d) to provide for conditional approval of plans, effective June 29, 1999; P.A. 01-53 amended Subsec. (c) by adding provision re biennial filing of affirmative action plans by state agency or department with twenty or fewer full-time employees and amended Subsec. (g) by adding reference to biennial filing of plans; P.A. 03-151 amended Subsec. (b) by dividing existing provisions into Subdivs. (1) and (2) and adding new Subdivs. (3) to (5), inclusive, requiring CHRO and PCSW to annually provide at least 10 hours of discrimination training to affirmative action officers and other persons designated to represent state agencies, boards, departments and commissions before the EEOC or CHRO, and specifying duties, responsibilities and proscriptions for affirmative action officers; P.A. 05-287 amended Subsec. (b)(3) to apply 10-hour training requirement to first year of service only and to require a minimum of 5 hours of training per year thereafter; P.A. 07-181 amended Subsec. (b) by designating existing Subparas. in Subdiv. (4) as clauses within Subpara. (A) and adding new Subpara. (B) requiring that discrimination complaints by or against executive heads of state agencies or departments, members of state boards or commissions or affirmative action officers be referred to Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities and may be investigated by Department of Administrative Services, that discrimination complaints by or against executive head, member or affirmative action officer of Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities be referred to Department of Administrative Services, that discrimination complaints by or against executive head or affirmative action officer of Department of Administrative Services be referred to Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities, by replacing existing Subdiv. (5) with new Subdiv. (5) requiring that affirmative action officers of state agencies, departments, boards or commissions and persons designated by Attorney General to represent agencies pursuant to new Subdiv. (6) complete training specified in Subdiv. (3), and by adding new Subdiv. (6) prohibiting affirmative action officers from representing agencies, departments, boards or commissions before Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities or Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and requiring Attorney General or designee to make such representations, effective July 5, 2007; P.A. 09-87 amended Subsec. (a) by adding provision re Metropolitan District of Hartford County deemed a state agency for purposes of section and amended Subsec. (b)(6) by adding provision prohibiting Attorney General from representing district re discrimination complaints filed against it; P.A. 11-51 changed "affirmative action officer" to "equal employment officer", amended Subsec. (a) to limit filing of affirmative action plans to state agencies with 25 or more full-time employees, amended Subsec. (b) to decrease number of hours of initial training from 10 to 5 hours and for subsequent training from 5 to 3 hours every 2 years, instead of every year, in Subdiv. (3), and to exempt complaints filed with either of the commissions from investigation by the agency or Department of Administrative Services in Subdiv. (4), amended Subsec. (c) to add threshold of 250 employees for semiannual filing of plan, to change reference to 20 or fewer to "twenty-five or more employees but fewer than two hundred fifty" and to add provisions re resubmission of disapproved plans and re electronic filing, amended Subsec. (d) to add provision re disapproval of plans filed late and to make a technical change, and amended Subsec. (g) to require executive director, rather than regulations, to establish filing schedule, effective June 30, 2011; P.A. 11-61 amended Subsec. (c) to add "if practicable" re filing plans electronically, effective June 21, 2011.

      Sec. 46a-68l. Working group to review commission regulations re affirmative action plans. Recommendations. Regulations to implement recommendations. (a) Not later than July 1, 2011, the executive director of the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities shall convene a working group to review the commission's existing regulations governing affirmative action plans adopted in accordance with section 46a-68 and to recommend amendments to such regulations. Such working group shall consist of the executive director, or a designee, the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, or a designee, the Commissioner of Administrative Services, or a designee, and eight other members selected by the executive director who have experience in one or more of the following: (1) Drafting affirmative action plans for state agencies, (2) affirmative action law, (3) affirmative action education, or (4) the impact of affirmative action on minority communities. Such eight members shall include at least one representative of each of the following: (A) A regulation and protection agency, (B) a conservation and development agency, (C) a human services agency, (D) a transportation agency, and (E) an education agency. The executive director or said executive director's designee shall serve as chairperson of the working group.

      (b) The working group shall examine and issue recommendations concerning (1) the elimination of unnecessary or redundant provisions of such regulations, (2) improvements in the use of state-wide data and systems, including, but not limited to, CORE-CT, Labor Department data and census data for efficient information collection concerning affirmative action plans, (3) whether all provisions of the regulations are in accordance with state and federal law and are constitutional, and (4) a reorganization of the regulations to streamline content and structure in order to provide a more useful resource for state agencies, departments, boards and commissions. Not later than November 1, 2011, the working group shall issue recommendations concerning amendments to such regulations.

      (c) Not later than January 1, 2012, the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities shall publish notice of its intention to amend its regulations to implement the recommendations of the working group in the Connecticut Law Journal in accordance with the provisions of section 4-168.

      (P.A. 11-51, S. 75; 11-61, S. 115.)

      History: P.A. 11-51 effective June 30, 2011; P.A. 11-61 amended Subsec. (a) by adding executive director's designee re membership on working group and re alternative chairperson, effective June 21, 2011.

      Sec. 46a-70. (Formerly Sec. 4-61c). Guarantee of equal employment in state agencies. (a) State officials and supervisory personnel shall recruit, appoint, assign, train, evaluate and promote state personnel on the basis of merit and qualifications, without regard for race, color, religious creed, sex, gender identity or expression, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, intellectual disability, mental disability, learning disability or physical disability, including but not limited to, blindness, unless it is shown by such state officials or supervisory personnel that such disability prevents performance of the work involved.

      (b) All state agencies shall promulgate written directives to carry out this policy and to guarantee equal employment opportunities at all levels of state government. They shall regularly review their personnel practices to assure compliance.

      (c) All state agencies shall conduct continuing orientation and training programs with emphasis on human relations and nondiscriminatory employment practices.

      (d) The Commissioner of Administrative Services shall insure that the entire examination process, including qualifications appraisal, is free from bias.

      (e) Appointing authorities shall exercise care to insure utilization of minority group persons.

      (1969, P.A. 790, S. 1; P.A. 73-279, S. 7; P.A. 77-614, S. 66, 610; P.A. 78-148, S. 2; P.A. 80-422, S. 18; P.A. 90-330, S. 6, 11; P.A. 01-28, S. 2; P.A. 04-171, S. 2; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 04-2, S. 37; P.A. 11-55, S. 29; 11-129, S. 20.)

      History: P.A. 73-279 prohibited discrimination on basis of physical disability including blindness unless it is shown that nature of work required sighted person or person without disability; P.A. 77-614 replaced personnel commissioner with commissioner of administrative services; P.A. 78-148 prohibited discrimination on basis of mental retardation; P.A. 80-422 created Subsecs. (b), (c) and (d) from former Subsec. (b), changing wording slightly and designated former Subsec. (c) as (e); Sec. 4-61c transferred to Sec. 46a-70 in 1981; P.A. 90-330 amended Subsec. (a) to include persons with learning disabilities; P.A. 01-28 amended Subsec. (a) by adding references to "marital status" and "mental disability"; P.A. 04-171 added new Subsec. (d) re confidentiality of the name and address of a sexual harassment complainant in an internal sexual harassment investigation conducted on behalf of a state agency and redesignated existing Subsecs. (d) and (e) as new Subsecs. (e) and (f), respectively, effective June 1, 2004; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 04-2 repealed provisions enacted by P.A. 04-171, effective May 12, 2004; P.A. 11-55 amended Subsec. (a) to add reference to gender identity or expression; pursuant to P.A. 11-129, "mental retardation" was changed editorially by the Revisors to "intellectual disability" in Subsec. (a).

      Sec. 46a-71. (Formerly Sec. 4-61d). Discriminatory practices by state agencies prohibited. (a) All services of every state agency shall be performed without discrimination based upon race, color, religious creed, sex, gender identity or expression, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, intellectual disability, mental disability, learning disability or physical disability, including, but not limited to, blindness.

      (b) No state facility may be used in the furtherance of any discrimination, nor may any state agency become a party to any agreement, arrangement or plan which has the effect of sanctioning discrimination.

      (c) Each state agency shall analyze all of its operations to ascertain possible instances of noncompliance with the policy of sections 46a-70 to 46a-78, inclusive, and shall initiate comprehensive programs to remedy any defect found to exist.

      (d) Every state contract or subcontract for construction on public buildings or for other public work or for goods and services shall conform to the intent of section 4a-60.

      (1969, P.A. 790, S. 2, 3; P.A. 73-279, S. 8; P.A. 78-148, S. 3; P.A. 80-422, S. 19; P.A. 90-330, S. 7, 11; P.A. 01-28, S. 3; P.A. 11-55, S. 30; 11-129, S. 20.)

      History: P.A. 73-279 prohibited discrimination based on physical disability including blindness; P.A. 78-148 prohibited discrimination based on mental retardation; P.A. 80-422 rephrased provisions, created Subsecs. (b) and (c) from provisions of Subsec. (a), redesignating former Subsec. (b) as (d), and substituted Sec. 4-61k for Sec. 4-61l in Subsec. (c); Sec. 4-61d transferred to Sec. 46a-71 in 1981 and internal section references changed to reflect their transfer when necessary; P.A. 90-330 amended Subsec. (a) to include discrimination based upon learning disability; P.A. 01-28 amended Subsec. (a) by adding references to "marital status" and "mental disability"; P.A. 11-55 amended Subsec. (a) to prohibit discrimination based upon gender identity or expression; pursuant to P.A. 11-129, "mental retardation" was changed editorially by the Revisors to "intellectual disability" in Subsec. (a).

      Sec. 46a-72. (Formerly Sec. 4-61e). Discrimination in job placement by state agencies prohibited. (a) All state agencies, including educational institutions, which provide employment referrals or placement services to public or private employers, shall accept job orders on a nondiscriminatory basis.

      (b) Any job request indicating an intention to exclude any person because of race, color, religious creed, sex, gender identity or expression, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, intellectual disability, mental disability, learning disability or physical disability, including, but not limited to, blindness shall be rejected, unless it is shown by such public or private employers that such disability prevents performance of the work involved.

      (c) All state agencies shall cooperate in programs developed by the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities initiated for the purpose of broadening the base for job recruitment and shall further cooperate with all employers and unions providing such programs.

      (d) The Labor Department shall encourage and enforce employers and labor unions to comply with the policy of sections 46a-70 to 46a-78, inclusive, and promote equal employment opportunities.

      (1969, P.A. 790, S. 4; P.A. 73-279, S. 9; P.A. 78-148, S. 4; P.A. 79-631, S. 1, 111; P.A. 80-422, S. 20; P.A. 90-330, S. 8, 11; P.A. 01-28, S. 4; P.A. 11-55, S. 31; 11-129, S. 20.)

      History: P.A. 73-279 prohibited discrimination based on physical disability including blindness and qualified that prohibition by adding "unless it is shown ... that such disability prevents performance of the work involved"; P.A. 78-148 prohibited discrimination on basis of mental retardation; P.A. 79-631 replaced Sec. 4-61b with Sec. 4-61c in Subsec. (c); P.A. 80-422 substituted "nondiscriminatory" for "fair practice" in Subsec. (a), created new Subsec. (b) from provisions formerly in (a) and relettered former Subsecs. (b) and (c) accordingly, substituting Sec. 4-61k for Sec. 4-61l where occurring; Sec. 4-61e transferred to Sec. 46a-72 in 1981 and other section numbers referred to in section changed as necessary to reflect their transfer; P.A. 90-330 amended Subsec. (b) to include reference to learning disabilities; P.A. 01-28 amended Subsec. (b) by adding references to "marital status" and "mental disability"; P.A. 11-55 amended Subsec. (b) to add reference to gender identity or expression; pursuant to P.A. 11-129, "mental retardation" was changed editorially by the Revisors to "intellectual disability" in Subsec. (b).

      Sec. 46a-73. (Formerly Sec. 4-61f). Discrimination in state licensing and charter procedures prohibited. (a) No state department, board or agency may grant, deny or revoke the license or charter of any person on the grounds of race, color, religious creed, sex, gender identity or expression, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, intellectual disability, mental disability, learning disability or physical disability, including, but not limited to, blindness, unless it is shown by such state department, board or agency that such disability prevents performance of the work involved.

      (b) Each state agency shall take such appropriate action in the exercise of its licensing or regulatory power as will assure equal treatment of all persons and eliminate discrimination and enforce compliance with the policy of sections 46a-70 to 46a-78, inclusive.

      (1969, P.A. 790, S. 5; P.A. 73-279, S. 10; P.A. 78-148, S. 5; P.A. 79-631, S. 2, 111; P.A. 80-422, S. 21; P.A. 01-28, S. 5; P.A. 11-55, S. 32; 11-129, S. 20.)

      History: P.A. 73-279 prohibited discrimination in licensing matters on basis of physical disability including blindness and qualified prohibition by adding "unless it is shown ... that such disability prevents performance of the work involved"; P.A. 78-148 prohibited discrimination on basis of mental retardation; P.A. 79-631 substituted Sec. 4-61c for Sec. 4-61b; P.A. 80-422 divided section into Subsecs. and substituted Sec. 4-61k for Sec. 4-61l; Sec. 4-61f transferred to Sec. 46a-73 in 1981 and internal section references changed as necessary to reflect their transfer; P.A. 01-28 amended Subsec. (a) by adding references to "marital status", "mental disability" and "learning disability"; P.A. 11-55 amended Subsec. (a) to add reference to gender identity or expression; pursuant to P.A. 11-129, "mental retardation" was changed editorially by the Revisors to "intellectual disability" in Subsec. (a).

      Sec. 46a-75. (Formerly Sec. 4-61h). Discrimination in educational and vocational programs prohibited. (a) All educational, counseling, and vocational guidance programs and all apprenticeship and on-the-job training programs of state agencies, or in which state agencies participate, shall be open to all qualified persons, without regard to race, color, religious creed, sex, gender identity or expression, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, intellectual disability, mental disability, learning disability or physical disability, including, but not limited to, blindness.

      (b) Such programs shall be conducted to encourage the fullest development of the interests, aptitudes, skills, and capacities of all students and trainees, with special attention to the problems of culturally deprived, educationally handicapped, learning disabled, economically disadvantaged, or physically disabled, including, but not limited to, blind persons.

      (c) Expansion of training opportunities under these programs shall be encouraged so as to involve larger numbers of participants from those segments of the labor force where the need for upgrading levels of skill is greatest.

      (1969, P.A. 790, S. 7; P.A. 73-279, S. 11; P.A. 78-148, S. 6; P.A. 80-422, S. 23; P.A. 90-330, S. 9, 11; P.A. 01-28, S. 6; P.A. 11-55, S. 33; 11-129, S. 20.)

      History: P.A. 73-279 prohibited discrimination based on physical disability including blindness; P.A. 78-148 prohibited discrimination based on mental retardation; P.A. 80-422 divided section into Subsecs. and made slight change in wording of Subsec. (c); Sec. 4-61h transferred to Sec. 46a-75 in 1981; P.A. 90-330 added references to persons with learning disabilities in Subsecs. (a) and (b); P.A. 01-28 amended Subsec. (a) by adding references to "marital status" and "mental disability"; P.A. 11-55 amended Subsec. (a) to add reference to gender identity or expression; pursuant to P.A. 11-129, "mental retardation" was changed editorially by the Revisors to "intellectual disability" in Subsec. (a).

      Sec. 46a-76. (Formerly Sec. 4-61i). Discrimination in allocation of state benefits prohibited. (a) Race, color, religious creed, sex, gender identity or expression, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, intellectual disability, mental disability, learning disability or physical disability, including, but not limited to, blindness shall not be considered as limiting factors in state-administered programs involving the distribution of funds to qualify applicants for benefits authorized by law.

      (b) No state agency may provide grants, loans or other financial assistance to public agencies, private institutions or organizations which discriminate.

      (1969, P.A. 790, S. 8; P.A. 73-279, S. 12; P.A. 78-148, S. 7; P.A. 80-422, S. 24; P.A. 90-330, S. 10, 11; P.A. 01-28, S. 7; P.A. 11-55, S. 34.)

      History: P.A. 73-279 prohibited discrimination on basis of physical disability including blindness; P.A. 78-148 prohibited discrimination on basis of mental retardation; P.A. 80-422 divided section into Subsecs. and restated provisions; Sec. 4-61i transferred to Sec. 46a-76 in 1981; P.A. 90-330 added reference to "learning disability"; P.A. 01-28 amended Subsec. (a) by adding references to "marital status" and "mental disability"; P.A. 11-55 amended Subsec. (a) to add reference to gender identity or expression (Revisor's note: In Subsec. (a), "mental retardation" was changed editorially by the Revisors to "intellectual disability" to conform with changes made by P.A. 11-129).

      Sec. 46a-81f. Sexual orientation discrimination: Credit practices. (a) It shall be a discriminatory practice in violation of this section for any creditor to discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation or civil union status, against any person eighteen years of age or over in any credit transaction.

      (b) No liability may be imposed under this section for an act done or omitted in conformity with a regulation or declaratory ruling of the Banking Commissioner, the Federal Reserve Board, the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection or any other governmental agency having jurisdiction under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, notwithstanding that after the act or omission the regulation or declaratory ruling may be amended, repealed or determined to be invalid for any reason.

      (P.A. 91-58, S. 6; P.A. 03-84, S. 35; P.A. 07-245, S. 6; P.A. 11-110, S. 18.)

      History: P.A. 03-84 changed "Commissioner of Banking" to "Banking Commissioner" in Subsec. (b), effective June 3, 2003; P.A. 07-245 amended Subsec. (a) to add reference to "civil union status", effective July 10, 2007; P.A. 11-110 added reference to Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection, effective July 21, 2011.

      Sec. 46a-81aa. Gender identity or expression discrimination: Religious organizations. The provisions of subsection (a) of section 4a-60, subsection (c) of section 8-169s, section 8-265c, subsection (c) of section 8-294, section 8-315, subsection (a) of section 10-15c, section 10-153, subsection (b) of section 10a-6, subsection (a) of section 11-24b, sections 16-245r and 16-247r, subsection (b) of section 28-15, section 31-22p, subsection (e) of section 31-57e, sections 32-204, 32-277, 38a-358 and 42-125a, subsection (c) of section 42-125b, subsection (a) of section 46a-58, subsection (a) of section 46a-59, subsection (a) of section 46a-60, subsection (a) of section 46a-64, subsections (a) and (e) of section 46a-64c, subsection (a) of section 46a-66, subsection (a) of section 46a-70, subsection (a) of section 46a-71, subsection (b) of section 46a-72, subsection (a) of section 46a-73, subsection (a) of section 46a-75, subsection (a) of section 46a-76, subsections (b) and (c) of section 52-571d and section 53-37a that prohibit discrimination on the basis of gender identity or expression shall not apply to a religious corporation, entity, association, educational institution or society with respect to the employment of individuals to perform work connected with the carrying on by such corporation, entity, association, educational institution or society of its activities, or with respect to matters of discipline, faith, internal organization or ecclesiastical rule, custom or law which are established by such corporation, entity, association, educational institution or society.

      (P.A. 11-55, S. 37.)

PART III
DISCRIMINATORY PRACTICE COMPLAINT PROCEDURE

      Sec. 46a-82c. Jurisdiction over complaints filed after January 1, 1996. Compliance with time requirements by June 30, 1996. Review time tolled if answer not timely received. (a) Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes to the contrary, the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities shall have jurisdiction over any complaint filed pursuant to section 46a-82 after January 1, 1996, that the commission would have had but for the failure of the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities to comply with the time requirements of section 46a-83 provided the commission takes action to comply with such time requirements with respect to such complaints not later than June 30, 1996.

      (b) The time frame contained in subsection (b) of section 46a-83 to conduct a merit assessment review shall be tolled if an answer is not timely received from the date the respondent's answer is due pursuant to subsection (a) of section 46a-83 until the date the answer is actually received by the commission.

      (P.A. 96-241, S. 2, 7; P.A. 11-237, S. 3.)

      History: P.A. 96-241 effective June 6, 1996; P.A. 11-237 amended Subsec. (b) by adding "merit assessment" and deleting "of the file" re review.

      Sec. 46a-82e. Jurisdiction over complaints despite failure to comply with time requirements. Annual report. Delay in issuance of finding. Remedies. Court order. (a) Notwithstanding the failure of the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities to comply with the time requirements of sections 46a-83 and 46a-84 with respect to a complaint before the commission, the jurisdiction of the commission over any such complaint shall be retained.

      (b) The commission shall report annually to the judiciary committee of the General Assembly and the Governor: (1) The number of cases in the previous fiscal year that exceeded the time frame, including authorized extensions, set forth in subsection (e) of section 46a-83; (2) the reasons for the failure to comply with the time frame; (3) the number of actions brought pursuant to subsection (d) of this section and the results thereof; and (4) the commission's recommendations for legislative action, if any, necessary for the commission to meet the statutory time frame.

      (c) If a complaint has been pending for more than twenty-one months from the date of filing and the commission has not issued a finding of reasonable cause or no reasonable cause, the executive director shall notify the complainant by first class mail, facsimile machine, electronic mail or a file transfer protocol site that the complainant has the right to request a release of jurisdiction in accordance with section 46a-101. The executive director or the executive director's designee shall investigate the cause for the delay in issuing a finding. After such investigation, the executive director may, given the facts and circumstances of the case, schedule a date certain for issuance of a finding of reasonable cause or no reasonable cause.

      (d) (1) If a complaint has been pending for more than two years after the date of filing pursuant to section 46a-82, and if the investigator fails to issue a finding of reasonable cause or no reasonable cause by the date ordered by the executive director of the commission pursuant to subsection (c) of this section, the complainant or respondent may petition the superior court for the judicial district of Hartford for an order requiring the commission to issue a finding of reasonable cause or no reasonable cause by a date certain. The petitioner shall submit the petition on forms prescribed by the Office of the Chief Court Administrator.

      (2) The clerk, upon receipt of the petition and if the clerk finds it to be in the proper form, shall fix a date for the hearing and sign the notice of hearing. The hearing date shall be no more than thirty days after the clerk signs the notice. Service shall be made on the commission and all persons named in the discriminatory practice complaint at least twenty days prior to the date of hearing by United States mail, certified or registered, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, without the use of a state marshal or other officer. Service on the commission shall be made on the executive director of the commission or a commission legal counsel. Within five days of service, the petitioner shall file with the court an affidavit stating the date and manner in which a copy of the petition was served and attach to the affidavit the return receipts indicating delivery of the petition.

      (3) Within ten days after receipt of the petition, any party, including the commission, may file an answer. The commission and all persons named in the discriminatory practice complaint shall have the right to appear and be heard at the hearing.

      (4) If the commission and parties agree on a date certain, the court shall order the commission to issue a finding by said date. If the allegations of the petition are contested, the court shall hold a hearing on the petition and issue an appropriate order. Hearing of oral argument on the petition shall take precedence over other matters in the court, as provided in section 46a-96. The court shall award court costs and attorney's fees to the petitioner, provided such party is a "person", as defined in section 4-184a, unless the commission shows good cause for not issuing the finding of reasonable cause or no reasonable cause within two years of the date of filing or the date ordered by the executive director for the investigator to issue such finding, whichever is later. An award of court costs and attorney's fees shall be subject to the court's discretion, but shall not exceed a total of five hundred dollars.

      (5) This subsection shall not apply to complaints initiated by the commission or to pattern or practice or systemic cases.

      (P.A. 88-230, S. 1, 12; P.A. 90-98, S. 1, 2; P.A. 93-142, S. 4, 7, 8; P.A. 95-220, S. 4-6; P.A. 98-245, S. 8, 14; P.A. 00-99, S. 89, 154; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-6, S. 192; P.A. 05-288, S. 156; P.A. 11-237, S. 4, 5.)

      History: P.A. 98-245 effective July 1, 1998, and applicable to all cases pending with the commission or in the courts and cases filed on or after said date (Revisor's note: P.A. 88-230, 90-98, 93-142 and 95-220 authorized substitution of "judicial district of Hartford" for "judicial district of Hartford-New Britain at Hartford" in public and special acts of the 1998 regular and special sessions of the General Assembly, effective September 1, 1998); P.A. 00-99 amended Subsec. (d)(2) by replacing reference to sheriff with state marshal, effective December 1, 2000; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-6 amended Subsec. (d)(2) to replace "the commission counsel" with "a commission legal counsel", effective August 20, 2003; P.A. 05-288 made a technical change in Subsec. (d)(4), effective July 13, 2005; P.A. 11-237 amended Subsec. (b)(1) by replacing "subsection (d)" with "subsection (e)" re reference to Sec. 46a-83 and amended Subsec. (c) by replacing provision re sending notice by certified mail with provision re notification by "first class mail, facsimile machine, electronic mail or a file transfer protocol site" and by making a technical change.

      Sec. 46a-83. Complaint: Review; dismissal; investigation; mediation conferences; early legal intervention; finding; reconsideration; attempt to eliminate discriminatory practice; default order. (a) Within twenty days after the filing of any discriminatory practice complaint pursuant to subsection (a) or (b) of section 46a-82, or an amendment to such complaint adding an additional respondent, the commission shall provide the respondent by first class mail, facsimile machine, electronic mail or a file transfer protocol site with the complaint and a notice advising of the procedural rights and obligations of a respondent under this chapter. The respondent shall file a written answer to the complaint under oath with the commission within thirty days of receipt of the complaint, provided a respondent may request, and the commission may grant, for good cause shown, one extension of time of fifteen days within which to file an answer to a complaint. The answer to any complaint alleging a violation of section 46a-64c or 46a-81e shall be filed within ten days of receipt.

      (b) Within ninety days of the filing of the respondent's answer to the complaint, the executive director or the executive director's designee shall conduct a merit assessment review. The merit assessment review shall include the complaint, the respondent's answer and the responses to the commission's requests for information, if any, and the complainant's comments, if any, to the respondent's answer and information responses. If the executive director or the executive director's designee determines that the complaint fails to state a claim for relief or is frivolous on its face, that the respondent is exempt from the provisions of this chapter or that there is no reasonable possibility that investigating the complaint will result in a finding of reasonable cause, the executive director or the executive director's designee shall dismiss the complaint and send notice of dismissal pursuant to section 46a-86a. Within fifteen days of the sending of the notice of dismissal, the complainant may request a release of jurisdiction allowing the complainant to bring a civil action under section 46a-100. If the complainant does not request a release of jurisdiction, commission legal counsel shall conduct a legal review of any complaint dismissed pursuant to this subsection and shall reinstate or deny reinstatement of the complaint within sixty days of the sending of the notice of dismissal. The executive director or the executive director's designee shall send notice of any action taken pursuant to the merit assessment review and the legal review conducted pursuant to this subsection in accordance with section 46a-86a. This subsection shall not apply to any complaint alleging a violation of section 46a-64c or 46a-81e. The executive director shall report the results of the merit assessment reviews made pursuant to this subsection to the commission quarterly during each year.

      (c) (1) If a complaint is not dismissed after the merit assessment review pursuant to subsection (b) of this section or if a complaint is reinstated after legal review pursuant to said subsection (b), the executive director or designee shall assign an investigator or commission legal counsel to hold a mandatory mediation conference within sixty days of sending notice of action taken pursuant to the merit assessment review or legal review. The mandatory mediation conference may be scheduled for the same time as a fact-finding conference held pursuant to subsection (d) of this section. The mediator may hold additional mediation conferences to accommodate settlement discussions.

      (2) If the complaint is not resolved after the mandatory mediation conference, the complainant, the respondent or the commission may request early legal intervention. If a request for early legal intervention is made, the executive director or the executive director's designee shall determine within ninety days of the request whether (A) the complaint should be heard pursuant to section 46a-84, (B) the complaint should be processed pursuant to subsection (d) of this section, or (C) the complainant should be released from the jurisdiction of the commission. In making such determination, the executive director or the executive director's designee may hold additional proceedings and may utilize commission staff. If the executive director or the executive director's designee determines that the complaint should be processed pursuant to subsection (d) of this section, the executive director or the executive director's designee may recommend that the investigator make a finding of no reasonable cause. If the executive director or the executive director's designee recommends that the investigator make a finding of no reasonable cause, the investigator shall make such a finding unless the investigator believes the executive director or the executive director's designee made a mistake of fact. If the investigator intends to make a finding of reasonable cause after the executive director or the executive director's designee recommends otherwise, the investigator shall consult with the executive director or the executive director's designee.

      (3) If the complaint is not resolved after the mandatory mediation conference, the complainant or the respondent may request the commission to hold additional mediation conferences.

      (4) The commission may dismiss the complaint if (A) a complainant, after notice and without good cause, fails to attend a mandatory mediation conference; or (B) the respondent has eliminated the discriminatory practice complained of, taken steps to prevent a like occurrence in the future and offered full relief to the complainant, even though the complainant has refused such relief.

      (d) If the complaint is not resolved after the mandatory mediation conference held pursuant to subsection (c) of this section or the executive director determines that the complaint should be processed pursuant to this subsection in accordance with subdivision (2) of subsection (c) of this section, the executive director or the executive director's designee shall assign an investigator to process the complaint within fifteen days after the mandatory mediation conference. The investigator may conduct a fact-finding conference, a complete investigation, including, but not limited to, individual witness interviews, requests for voluntary disclosure of information, subpoenas of witnesses or documents, requests for admission of facts, interrogatories, site visits or any other lawful means of finding facts, or any combination thereof for the purpose of determining if there is reasonable cause for believing that a discriminatory practice has been or is being committed as alleged in the complaint. As used in this section and section 46a-84, "reasonable cause" means a bona fide belief that the material issues of fact are such that a person of ordinary caution, prudence and judgment could believe the facts alleged in the complaint. The executive director or the executive director's designee may dismiss the complaint if the complainant, after notice, and without good cause, fails to attend a fact-finding conference.

      (e) (1) Before issuing a finding of reasonable cause or no reasonable cause, the investigator shall afford each party and each party's representative an opportunity to provide written or oral comments on all evidence in the commission's file, except as otherwise provided by federal law or the general statutes. The investigator shall consider such comments before making a finding. The investigator shall make a finding of reasonable cause or no reasonable cause in writing and shall list the factual findings on which it is based not later than one hundred ninety days from the date of the merit assessment review, except that for good cause shown, the executive director or the executive director's designee may grant no more than two extensions of the investigation of three months each.

      (2) If the investigator makes a finding that there is reasonable cause to believe that a violation of section 46a-64c has occurred, the complainant and the respondent shall have twenty days from sending of the reasonable cause finding to elect a civil action in lieu of an administrative hearing pursuant to section 46a-84. If either the complainant or the respondent requests a civil action, the commission, through the Attorney General or a commission legal counsel, shall commence an action pursuant to subsection (b) of section 46a-89 within ninety days of receipt of the notice of election. If the Attorney General or a commission legal counsel believes that injunctive relief, punitive damages or a civil penalty would be appropriate, such relief, damages or penalty may also be sought. The jurisdiction of the Superior Court in an action brought under this subdivision shall be limited to such claims, counterclaims, defenses or the like that could be presented at an administrative hearing before the commission, had the complaint remained with the commission for disposition. A complainant may intervene as a matter of right in a civil action without permission of the court or the parties. If the Attorney General or commission legal counsel, as the case may be, determines that the interests of the state will not be adversely affected, the complainant or attorney for the complainant shall present all or part of the case in support of the complaint. If the Attorney General or a commission legal counsel determines that a material mistake of law or fact has been made in the finding of reasonable cause, the Attorney General or a commission legal counsel may decline to bring a civil action and shall remand the file to the investigator for further action. The investigator shall complete any such action not later than ninety days after receipt of such file.

      (f) If the investigator issues a finding of no reasonable cause or if the complaint is dismissed pursuant to subsection (d) of this section, the complainant may file a written request for reconsideration with the executive director or the executive director's designee, not later than fifteen days from the sending of such finding or dismissal. A request for reconsideration shall state specifically the reasons why reconsideration should be granted. The executive director or the executive director's designee shall grant or reject reconsideration within ninety days of the sending of such finding or dismissal. The executive director or the executive director's designee shall conduct such additional proceedings as may be necessary to render a decision on the request.

      (g) After finding that there is reasonable cause to believe that a discriminatory practice has been or is being committed as alleged in the complaint, an investigator shall attempt to eliminate the practice complained of by conference, conciliation and persuasion within fifty days of the finding. The refusal to accept a settlement shall not be grounds for dismissal of any complaint.

      (h) No commissioner or employee of the commission may disclose, except to the parties or their representatives, what has occurred in the course of such endeavors provided the commission may publish the facts in the case and any complaint which has been dismissed and the terms of conciliation when a complaint has been adjusted. Each party and his representative shall have the right to inspect and copy documents, statements of witnesses and other evidence pertaining to the complaint, except as otherwise provided by federal law or the general statutes.

      (i) In the investigation of any complaint filed pursuant to this chapter, the commission may issue subpoenas requiring the production of records and other documents.

      (j) The executive director or the executive director's designee may enter an order of default against a respondent who (1) after notice, fails to answer a complaint in accordance with subsection (a) of this section or within such extension of time as may have been granted; (2) fails to answer interrogatories issued pursuant to subdivision (11) of section 46a-54 or fails to respond to a subpoena issued pursuant to subsection (i) of this section or subdivision (9) of section 46a-54, provided the executive director or the executive director's designee shall consider any timely filed objection; (3) after notice and without good cause, fails to attend a fact-finding conference; or (4) after notice and without good cause, fails to attend a mandatory mediation conference. Upon entry of an order of default, the executive director or the executive director's designee shall appoint a presiding officer to enter, after notice and hearing, an order eliminating the discriminatory practice complained of and making the complainant whole. The commission or the complainant may petition the Superior Court for enforcement of any order for relief pursuant to section 46a-95.

      (P.A. 80-422, S. 31; P.A. 89-332, S. 4, 7; P.A. 90-246, S. 10; P.A. 91-58, S. 29; 91-302, S. 3, 5; P.A. 92-257, S. 3; P.A. 94-238, S. 1, 6; May 25 Sp. Sess. P.A. 94-1, S. 114, 130; P.A. 96-241, S. 4, 7; P.A. 98-245, S. 2, 14; P.A. 00-12, S. 1, 2; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-6, S. 193; P.A. 05-201, S. 3; P.A. 07-142, S. 6; P.A. 11-237, S. 6.)

      History: P.A. 89-332 revised entire section to provide for service of complaint upon respondent, fact-finding conferences during investigatory process, definition of "reasonable cause", opportunity for written or oral comments on all evidence in commission's file, finding of reasonable cause within 9 months of filing of complaint, with single 3-month extension for good cause shown, reconsideration of finding of no reasonable cause within 90 days of finding, conciliation attempts within 60 days of finding of reasonable cause and disclosure of evidence pertaining to complaint to party or his representative; P.A. 90-246 amended Subsec. (a) by adding requirement that commission serve upon respondent, within 10 days of receipt of complaint or amendment adding additional respondent, notice identifying alleged discriminatory practice and advising re procedural rights and obligations of respondent, and requiring that the answer to any complaint alleging violation of Sec. 46a-64c may be filed within 10 days of receipt; P.A. 91-58 amended Subsec. (a) to add reference to a violation of Sec. 46a-81e; P.A. 91-302 amended Subsec. (a) by changing "may" to "shall" after "respondent", increasing the amount of time to file an answer to complaint from 15 to 30 days after receipt, changing "chairman of the commission" to "executive director of the commission" and deleting "a commissioner or" before "investigator", amended Subsec. (b) by deleting "commissioner or" before "investigator" and changing "commission" to "executive director or his designee", amended Subsecs. (c), (d) and (e) by deleting "commissioner or" before "investigator", and added a new Subsec. (g) re entry of order of default by executive director against respondent who fails to answer complaint or interrogatories or fails to respond to subpoena, entry of order by presiding officer eliminating discriminatory practice and enforcement by superior court; P.A. 92-257 amended Subsec. (b) by adding provision re election of civil action in lieu of administrative hearing; P.A. 94-238 inserted new Subsec. (b) re review of complaint by executive director or his designee and dismissal of claim if finding that claim fails to state claim for relief or is frivolous or that no reasonable possibility that investigation will result in reasonable cause, exempting provisions of Subsec. (b) from alleged violations of Sec. 46a-64c or 46a-81e and making provisions applicable to complaints pending assignment to investigator on or before January 1, 1995, created new Subsec. (c) from existing provisions formerly in Subsec. (a), adding provisions re (1) determining most appropriate method for processing complaint, including mandatory mediation sessions, expedited or extended fact-finding, complete investigations or combination thereof and (2) grounds for dismissal, relettering former Subsecs. (b) to (g), accordingly, amended Subsec. (e) by adding provision re request for reconsideration of dismissal and amended Subsec. (i) by adding failure to attend mandatory mediation session as grounds for order of default against respondent, effective July 1, 1994; May 25 Sp. Sess. P.A. 94-1 amended Subsec. (e) by making technical change in Subsec. (e), effective July 1, 1994; P.A. 96-241 amended Subsec. (d) by changing 9 to 12 months for finding of reasonable cause and changed single extension to no more than two extensions, effective June 6, 1996; P.A. 98-245 amended Subsec. (a) changing 10 days to 20 days and providing for extension for good cause shown for 15 days within which to file an answer to the complaint, amended Subsec. (b) by adding "the respondent's answer to the complaint", amended Subsec. (d) reduced 12 months to 190 days from the date of determination based on review of the complaint, amended Subsec. (e) re reconsideration by executive director or his designee and amended Subsec. (i) permitting complainant to petition court for enforcement of order for relief, effective July 1, 1998, and applicable to all cases pending with the commission or in the courts and cases filed on or after said date; P.A. 00-12 amended Subsec. (b) to require the complaint be dismissed if the respondent is exempt from the provisions of this chapter and to make technical changes for purposes of gender neutrality and amended Subsec. (e) to add new Subdiv. (3) re the dismissal of the complaint because the respondent is exempt from the provisions of this chapter, redesignating former Subdiv. (3) as new Subdiv. (4), and to make technical changes for purposes of gender neutrality; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-6 amended Subsec. (d) to replace "the commission counsel" with "a commission legal counsel", effective August 20, 2003; P.A. 05-201 amended Subsec. (d) by dividing provisions into Subdivs. (1) and (2) and, in Subdiv. (2), increasing time period for commencing action from within 45 days to within 90 days of receipt of notice of election and adding provisions re injunctive relief, punitive damages and civil penalty, limitation of civil action to jurisdictional claims, counterclaims and defenses and remand of file to investigator for further action, effective July 6, 2005; P.A. 07-142 amended Subsec. (a) by adding reference to complaint filed pursuant to Sec. 46a-82(a) or (b) and inserting "to such complaint", effective July 1, 2007; P.A. 11-237 amended Subsec. (a) by replacing provision re service of complaint with provision re providing complaint by "first class mail, facsimile machine, electronic mail or a file transfer protocol site", amended Subsec. (b) by adding "conduct a merit assessment" and deleting "the file" re review, replacing "the complaint shall be dismissed" with provision re dismissal of complaint and sending notice of dismissal, adding provisions re release of jurisdiction, legal review by commission legal counsel, and sending of notice and replacing "executive director's determinations" with "merit assessment reviews made", added new Subsec. (c) re mandatory mediation conferences, redesignated existing Subsec. (c) as Subsec. (d) and substantially revised same, redesignated existing Subsec. (d) as Subsec. (e) and amended same to replace "determination" with "finding", replace "determination based on the review of the complaint" with "merit assessment review", replace "receipt" and "notice of" with "sending" re time period to elect civil action, replace "and a commissioner, believe" with "believes" and add provisions re intervention as a matter of right and re complainant or attorney presenting case in support of complaint, redesignated existing Subsec. (e) as Subsec. (f) and substantially revised same, redesignated existing Subsec. (f) as Subsec. (g) and amended same to replace "upon a determination" with "after finding", redesignated existing Subsec. (g) as Subsec. (h), redesignated existing Subsec. (h) as Subsec. (i) and amended same to delete "relating to the complaint under investigation", redesignated existing Subsec. (i) as Subsec. (j) and amended same to add new Subdiv. (3) re failure to attend fact-finding conference and replace "session" with "conference", and made technical changes.

      Sec. 46a-83a. Right of appeal by complainant. If (1) a complainant requests a release of jurisdiction pursuant to subsection (b) of section 46a-83, (2) a commission legal counsel denies reinstatement of a complaint pursuant to subsection (b) of said section, or (3) a complaint is dismissed for failure to accept full relief pursuant to subsection (c) of said section, and the complainant does not request reconsideration of such dismissal as provided in subsection (f) of said section, the executive director shall issue a release and the complainant may, within ninety days of receipt of the release from the commission, bring an action in accordance with sections 46a-100 and 46a-102 to 46a-104, inclusive.

      (P.A. 94-238, S. 3, 6; P.A. 98-245, S. 3, 14; P.A. 01-95, S. 1, 4; P.A. 06-196, S. 217; P.A. 11-237, S. 7.)

      History: P.A. 94-238 effective July 1, 1994 (Revisor's note: In 1995 an incorrect reference to Sec. 4-181 was changed editorially by the Revisors to Sec. 4-183); P.A. 98-245 added provisions that complaint may be dismissed for failure to accept full relief and if complainant does not request reconsideration, the executive director shall issue a release and complainant may bring an action within 90 days of receipt of release, effective July 1, 1998, and applicable to all cases pending with the commission or in the courts and cases filed on or after said date; P.A. 01-95 designated existing provisions as Subsec. (a) and added Subsec. (b) re reconsideration requests by the complainant and time limitations for complainant to request a release from the commission and to bring an action, effective July 1, 2001; P.A. 06-196 made technical changes in Subsec. (a), effective June 7, 2006; P.A. 11-237 deleted former Subsec. (b) re issue of release and amended remaining provisions by deleting Subsec. (a) designator, replacing "a complaint is dismissed" with Subdivs. (1), (2) and (3) re release, reinstatement and dismissal, replacing reference to Sec. 46a-83(e) with reference to Sec. 46a-83(f) and deleting "of the commission" re executive director.

      Sec. 46a-84. Complaint: Certification; hearing; settlement or alternate dispute resolution endeavors; default order. (a) If the investigator fails to eliminate a discriminatory practice complained of pursuant to subsection (a) or (b) of section 46a-82 within fifty days of a finding of reasonable cause, the investigator shall, within ten days, certify the complaint and the results of the investigation to the executive director of the commission and to the Attorney General.

      (b) Upon certification of a complaint filed pursuant to subsection (a) or (b) of section 46a-82, or upon the filing of a complaint pursuant to subsection (c) of said section, the Chief Human Rights Referee shall appoint, for a complaint filed pursuant to said subsection (a) or (b), a hearing officer, hearing adjudicator or human rights referee, and for a complaint filed pursuant to said subsection (c), a hearing officer or human rights referee, to act as a presiding officer to hear the complaint or to conduct settlement negotiations and shall cause to be issued and served in the name of the commission a written notice, together with a copy of the complaint, as the same may have been amended, requiring the respondent to answer the charges of the complaint at a hearing before the presiding officer or hearing adjudicator at a time and place to be specified in the notice. A hearing on a complaint filed pursuant to subsection (a) or (b) of section 46a-82 shall be commenced by convening a hearing conference not later than forty-five days after the certification of the complaint. Such hearing shall be a de novo hearing on the merits of the complaint and not an appeal of the commission's processing of the complaint prior to its certification. A hearing on a complaint filed pursuant to subsection (c) of section 46a-82 shall be commenced by convening a hearing conference not later than twenty days after the date of notice of such complaint. Hearings shall proceed with reasonable dispatch and be concluded in accordance with the provisions of section 4-180.

      (c) The place of any hearing may be the office of the commission or another place designated by the commission.

      (d) The case in support of the complaint shall be presented at the hearing by the Attorney General, who shall be counsel for the commission, or by a commission legal counsel as provided in section 46a-55, as the case may be. If the Attorney General or the commission legal counsel determines that a material mistake of law or fact has been made in the finding of reasonable cause on a complaint filed pursuant to subsection (a) or (b) of section 46a-82, the Attorney General or the commission legal counsel may withdraw the certification of the complaint and remand the file to the investigator for further action. The complainant may be represented by an attorney of the complainant's own choice. If the Attorney General or the commission legal counsel, as the case may be, determines that the interests of the state will not be adversely affected, the complainant or the attorney for the complainant shall present all or part of the case in support of the complaint. No commissioner may participate in the deliberations of the presiding officer in the case.

      (e) A hearing officer, hearing adjudicator, human rights referee or attorney who volunteers service pursuant to subdivision (18) of section 46a-54 may supervise settlement endeavors, or, in employment discrimination cases only, the complainant and respondent, with the permission of the commission, may engage in alternate dispute resolution endeavors for not more than three months. The cost of such alternate dispute resolution endeavors shall be borne by the complainant or the respondent, or both, and not by the commission. Any endeavors or negotiations for conciliation, settlement or alternate dispute resolution shall not be received in evidence.

      (f) The respondent may file a written answer to the complaint under oath and appear at the hearing in person or otherwise, with or without counsel, and submit testimony and be fully heard. If the respondent fails to file a written answer prior to the hearing within the time limits established by regulation adopted by the commission in accordance with chapter 54 or fails to appear at the hearing after notice in accordance with section 4-177, the presiding officer or hearing adjudicator may enter an order of default and order such relief as is necessary to eliminate the discriminatory practice and make the complainant whole. The commission or the complainant may petition the Superior Court for enforcement of any such order for relief pursuant to the provisions of section 46a-95.

      (g) The presiding officer or hearing adjudicator conducting any hearing shall permit reasonable amendment to any complaint or answer and the testimony taken at the hearing shall be under oath and be transcribed at the request of any party.

      (P.A. 80-422, S. 32; P.A. 88-317, S. 100, 107; P.A. 89-332, S. 5, 7; P.A. 91-302, S. 4, 5; P.A. 93-362, S. 3; P.A. 94-238, S. 2, 6; P.A. 96-241, S. 5, 7; P.A. 98-245, S. 4, 14; P.A. 03-19, S. 100; 03-143, S. 2; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-6, S. 194; P.A. 07-142, S. 7; P.A. 11-237, S. 8.)

      History: P.A. 88-317 substituted "hearing officer" for "hearing examiner" in Subsec. (b) and "presiding officer" for "hearing officer" in Subsecs. (b), (d) and (g), effective July 1, 1989, and applicable to all agency proceedings commencing on or after that date; P.A. 89-332 amended Subsec. (a) to require commissioner or investigator to certify complaint if he fails to eliminate discriminatory practice within 45 days of finding of reasonable cause, amended Subsec. (b) to require hearing to be held not later than 90 days of finding of reasonable cause, amended Subsec. (d) to provide complainant may be represented by attorney of own choice, and amended Subsec. (f) to require respondent's written answer to be under oath; P.A. 91-302 amended Subsec. (a) by deleting "commissioner or" before "investigator" and changing "chairman" to "executive director", amended Subsec. (b) by changing "chairman" to "executive director or his designee" and deleting "or one member of the commission" after "hearing officer", amended Subsec. (d) by deleting "who previously made the investigation or caused the notice to be issued may participate in the hearing except as a witness, nor" after "commissioner", amended Subsec. (f) by adding provision re entry of order of default and order of such relief as necessary to eliminate discriminatory practice by presiding officer if respondent fails to file written answer or fails to appear and enforcement of order by superior court, and amended Subsec. (g) by changing "may" to "shall" before "permit"; P.A. 93-362 added "or hearing adjudicator" after "hearing officer", added provision that hearing shall be de novo hearing on the merits of complaint and not appeal of commission's processing of complaint prior to its certification, added provision that attorney general or commission counsel may allow attorney for complainant to present all or part of the case in support of the complaint, if interests of state will not be adversely affected, and added Subsec. (e) re supervision of settlement endeavors and alternative dispute resolution endeavors in employment discrimination cases only, where complainant and respondent agree; P.A. 94-238 amended Subsec. (d) by adding provision re determination of material mistake of law or fact and withdrawal of certification, effective July 1, 1994; P.A. 96-241 amended Subsec. (b) changing reference to hearings "held" to hearings "commenced by convening a hearing conference" and added provision that hearing shall proceed with reasonable dispatch and conclude in accordance with 4-180, effective June 6, 1996; P.A. 98-245 amended Subsec. (a) changing 45 to 50 days and providing 10 days to certify the complaint and amended Subsec. (b) to provide for hearing conference not later than 45 days after certification of the complaint, effective July 1, 1998, and applicable to all cases pending with the commission or in the courts and cases filed on or after said date; P.A. 03-19 made a technical change in Subsec. (e), effective May 12, 2003; P.A. 03-143 amended Subsec. (d) by replacing provision re complainant's attorney may be allowed to present all or part of case with provision re complainant's attorney shall present all or part of case; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-6 amended Subsec. (d) to authorize presentation of case by "a commission legal counsel" rather than "the commission counsel" and replace subsequent references to "the commission counsel" with "the commission legal counsel", effective August 20, 2003; P.A. 07-142 amended Subsecs. (a), (b) and (d) to distinguish between procedures for complaints filed pursuant to Sec. 46a-82(a) or (b) and procedures for complaints filed pursuant to Sec. 46a-82(c), replaced "executive director of the commission or his designee" with "Chief Human Rights Referee" in Subsec. (b) and made technical changes, effective July 1, 2007; P.A. 11-237 amended Subsec. (d) by adding "the complainant" as a party who shall present the case if determined that the interests of the state will not be adversely affected.

      Sec. 46a-86. Complaint: Determination; orders; dismissal. Treatment of discrimination awards. (a) If, upon all the evidence presented at the hearing conducted pursuant to section 46a-84, the presiding officer finds that a respondent has engaged in any discriminatory practice, the presiding officer shall state the presiding officer's findings of fact and shall issue and file with the commission and cause to be served on the respondent an order requiring the respondent to cease and desist from the discriminatory practice and further requiring the respondent to take such affirmative action as in the judgment of the presiding officer will effectuate the purpose of this chapter.

      (b) In addition to any other action taken under this section, upon a finding of a discriminatory employment practice, the presiding officer may order the hiring or reinstatement of employees, with or without back pay, or restoration to membership in any respondent labor organization, provided, liability for back pay shall not accrue from a date more than two years prior to the filing or issuance of the complaint and, provided further, interim earnings, including unemployment compensation and welfare assistance or amounts which could have been earned with reasonable diligence on the part of the person to whom back pay is awarded shall be deducted from the amount of back pay to which such person is otherwise entitled. The amount of any such deduction for interim unemployment compensation or welfare assistance shall be paid by the respondent to the commission which shall transfer such amount to the appropriate state or local agency.

      (c) In addition to any other action taken under this section, upon a finding of a discriminatory practice prohibited by section 46a-58, 46a-59, 46a-64, 46a-64c, 46a-81b, 46a-81d or 46a-81e, the presiding officer shall determine the damage suffered by the complainant, which damage shall include, but not be limited to, the expense incurred by the complainant for obtaining alternate housing or space, storage of goods and effects, moving costs and other costs actually incurred by the complainant as a result of such discriminatory practice and shall allow reasonable attorney's fees and costs. The amount of attorney's fees allowed shall not be contingent upon the amount of damages requested by or awarded to the complainant.

      (d) In addition to any other action taken under this section, upon a finding of a discriminatory practice prohibited by section 46a-66 or 46a-81f, the presiding officer shall issue and file with the commission and cause to be served on the respondent an order requiring the respondent to pay the complainant the damages resulting from the discriminatory practice.

      (e) In addition to any other action taken under this section, upon a finding of noncompliance with antidiscrimination statutes or contract provisions required under section 4a-60 or 4a-60a or the provisions of sections 46a-68c to 46a-68f, inclusive, the presiding officer shall issue and file with the commission and cause to be served on the respondent an order with respect to any remedial action imposed by the presiding officer pursuant to subsection (c) or (d) of section 46a-56.

      (f) If, upon all the evidence and after a complete hearing, the presiding officer finds that the respondent has not engaged in any alleged discriminatory practice, the presiding officer shall state the presiding officer's findings of fact and shall issue and file with the commission and cause to be served on the respondent an order dismissing the complaint.

      (g) Any payment received by a complainant under this chapter or under any equivalent federal antidiscrimination law, either as a settlement of a claim or as an award made in a judicial or administrative proceeding, shall not be considered as income, resources or assets for the purpose of determining the eligibility of or amount of assistance to be received by such person in the month of receipt or the three months following receipt under the state supplement program, Medicaid or any other medical assistance program, temporary family assistance program, state-administered general assistance program, or the temporary assistance for needy families program. After such time period, any remaining funds shall be subject to state and federal laws governing such programs, including, but not limited to, provisions concerning individual development accounts, as defined in section 31-51ww.

      (P.A. 80-422, S. 34; 80-449, S. 4, 6; P.A. 81-81, S. 5; P.A. 85-179; P.A. 88-317, S. 102, 107; P.A. 90-246, S. 11; P.A. 91-58, S. 30; P.A. 93-362, S. 4; P.A. 05-280, S. 45; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 05-3, S. 80; P.A. 07-142, S. 8; P.A. 11-237, S. 9.)

      History: P.A. 80-449 made technical changes in Subsec. (c); P.A. 81-81 amended Subsec. (c) by adding reference to Sec. "47a-2a" which was subsequently transferred and redesignated Sec. 46a-64a; P.A. 85-179 amended Subsec. (b) by adding provision requiring the respondent to pay the amount of any deduction for interim unemployment compensation or welfare assistance to the commission for transfer to the appropriate agency; P.A. 88-317 substituted "presiding officer" for "hearing officer" throughout the section, effective July 1, 1989, and applicable to all agency proceedings commencing on or after that date; P.A. 90-246 amended Subsec. (c) by deleting reference to Sec. 46a-64a and adding reference to Sec. 46a-64c and changing provision that damage shall include attorney's fees actually incurred to allowing reasonable attorney's fees and costs; P.A. 91-58 amended Subsec. (c) to add reference to Secs. 46a-81b, 46a-81d and 46a-81e and amended Subsec. (d) to add reference to Sec. 46a-81f; P.A. 93-362 amended Subsec. (e) by adding "and after a complete hearing" after "evidence"; P.A. 05-280, S. 45 re treatment of discrimination payment awards by Department of Social Services in determining eligibility of or amount of assistance to be received by complainant under chapter was added editorially by the Revisors as Subsec. (f); June Sp. Sess. P.A. 05-3 changed effective date of P.A. 05-280, S. 45 from October 1, 2005, to July 1, 2005, effective July 1, 2005; P.A. 07-142 added new Subsec. (e) re order with respect to remedial action imposed pursuant to Sec. 46a-56(c) or (d), redesignated existing Subsecs. (e) and (f) as Subsecs. (f) and (g) and made technical changes, effective July 1, 2007; P.A. 11-237 amended Subsec. (c) by adding provision re amount of attorney's fees allowed.

      Sec. 46a-86a. Notice of any action or proceeding concerning complaint. The Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities shall inform the complainant and the respondent of any finding, closure, dismissal or other determination or proceeding concerning the complaint filed by such complainant by first class mail, facsimile machine, electronic mail or a file transfer protocol site.

      (P.A. 94-238, S. 5, 6; P.A. 11-237, S. 10.)

      History: P.A. 94-238 effective July 1, 1994; P.A. 11-237 made a technical change, added the respondent as a party to whom commission shall inform of determinations and proceedings and replaced "mail" with "first class mail, facsimile machine, electronic mail or a file transfer protocol site".

      Sec. 46a-94a. Appeal to Superior Court from order of presiding officer. Reopening of matters. (a) The Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities, any respondent or any complainant aggrieved by a final order of a presiding officer or any complainant aggrieved by the dismissal of his complaint by the commission for failure to attend a mandatory mediation session as provided in subsection (c) of section 46a-83, a finding of no reasonable cause as provided in subsection (e) of said section 46a-83 or rejection of reconsideration of any dismissal as provided in subsection (f) of said section 46a-83, may appeal therefrom in accordance with section 4-183. The court on appeal shall also have jurisdiction to grant to the commission, respondent or complainant such temporary relief or restraining order as it deems just and suitable, and in like manner to make and enter a decree enforcing or modifying and enforcing as so modified or setting aside, in whole or in part, the order sought to be reviewed.

      (b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, a complainant may not appeal the dismissal of his complaint if he has been granted a release pursuant to section 46a-101.

      (c) The commission on its own motion may, whenever justice so requires, reopen any matter previously closed by the commission in accordance with the provisions of this subsection, provided such matter has not been appealed to the Superior Court pursuant to section 4-183. Notice of such reopening shall be given to all parties. A complainant or respondent may, for good cause shown, in the interest of justice, apply in writing for the reopening of a previously closed proceeding provided such application is filed with the commission within two years of the commission's final decision.

      (d) The standards for reopening a matter may include, but are not limited to: (1) A material mistake of fact or law has occurred; (2) the finding is arbitrary or capricious; (3) the finding is clearly erroneous in view of the reliable, probative and substantial evidence on the whole record; and (4) new evidence has been discovered which materially affects the merits of the case and which, for good reasons, was not presented during the investigation.

      (P.A. 88-241, S. 1; P.A. 90-230, S. 93, 101; P.A. 91-331, S. 6; P.A. 98-245, S. 5, 14; P.A. 00-199, S. 2, 3; P.A. 01-95, S. 2-4; 01-195, S. 99, 181; P.A. 11-237, S. 11.)

      History: P.A. 90-230 changed "hearing officer" to "presiding officer"; P.A. 91-331 designated existing section as Subsec. (a) and added Subsec. (b) re the appeal of complaints released pursuant to Sec. 46a-101; P.A. 98-245 amended Subsec. (a) to provide appeal for dismissal for failure to attend a mandatory mediation session, a finding of no reasonable cause or rejection of reconsideration of any dismissal and deleted provision re venue for such appeal, effective July 1, 1998, and applicable to all cases pending with the commission or in the courts and cases filed on or after said date; P.A. 00-199 added Subsec. (c) authorizing the commission to reopen previously closed matters provided they have not been appealed to the Superior Court, effective June 1, 2000; P.A. 01-95 amended Subsec. (c) to require application for reopening to be in writing and delete obsolete language re time for filing such application and added Subsec. (d) re standards for reopening a matter, effective July 1, 2001; P.A. 01-195 made a technical change in Subsec. (c), effective July 11, 2001; P.A. 11-237 amended Subsec. (a) by making technical changes re references to Sec. 46a-83.

      Sec. 46a-95. (Formerly Sec. 31-128). Enforcement by Superior Court of order of presiding officer. (a) The commission, through the Attorney General or a commission legal counsel, or the complainant may petition the superior court for the judicial district of Hartford, the judicial district where any discriminatory practice occurred or the judicial district in which any person charged with a discriminatory practice resides or transacts business for the enforcement of any order issued by a presiding officer under this chapter and for appropriate temporary relief of a restraining order.

      (b) The commission shall certify and file in the court the order of the presiding officer as part of the commission's petition or upon order of the court.

      (c) Within five days after filing a petition in court, the commission or the complainant shall (1) serve the petition by registered or certified mail to all parties identified in the order issued by the presiding officer or the representatives of such parties, and (2) file with the court an affidavit stating the date and manner in which each party was served.

      (d) The court shall: (1) Grant such relief by injunction or otherwise, including temporary relief, as it deems just and suitable, and (2) enter a decree enforcing any order of the presiding officer. The court may remand, in whole or in part, any order of the presiding officer, provided any such remand shall be limited to clarifying any ambiguity in the relief ordered. The court shall retain jurisdiction over the order while the presiding officer complies with the remand. Unless the relief ordered by the presiding officer is ambiguous, the court shall order the party in noncompliance to comply immediately with the presiding officer's order. The court shall award the costs of enforcement, including reasonable attorney's fees, to the commission or the complainant.

      (e) No objection or defense that has not been urged before the presiding officer or that was raised or could have been raised on appeal under section 46a-94a may be considered by the court. Petitions pursuant to this section shall be limited to resolving whether the relief ordered by the presiding officer is sufficiently clear to enforce and shall not be deemed an appeal of or collateral attack on the order of the presiding officer.

      (f) The jurisdiction of the court shall be exclusive and, except for a remand ordered pursuant to subsection (d) of this section, its judgment and decree shall be final. A final decree may be appealed to the Appellate Court in accordance with subsection (e) of section 51-197b.

      (g) Petitions filed under this section shall be heard expeditiously.

      (1949 Rev., S. 7407; 1963, P.A. 472; 1967, P.A. 715, S. 4; 1971, P.A. 870, S. 89; P.A. 76-436, S. 619, 681; P.A. 77-603, S. 124, 125; P.A. 78-280, S. 1, 127; P.A. 80-422, S. 43; 80-483, S. 92, 186; P.A. 83-496; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 83-29, S. 35, 82; P.A. 88-241, S. 2; 88-317, S. 105, 107; P.A. 93-362, S. 5; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-6, S. 195; P.A. 11-237, S. 12.)

      History: 1963 act authorized complainants to obtain review of order in superior court in Subsec. (d); 1967 act authorized commission counsel to petition court when respondent is a state agency or officer in Subsec. (a); 1971 act replaced superior court with court of common pleas in Subsec. (d), effective September 1, 1971, except that courts with cases pending retain jurisdiction unless pending matters deemed transferable; P.A. 76-436 added references to judicial districts in Subsecs. (a) and (d), added reference to Sec. 52-7 in Subsec. (c) and replaced court of common pleas with superior court in Subsec. (d), effective July 1, 1978; P.A. 77-603 replaced provisions re review of orders by court with provision requiring that appeals be made in accordance with Sec. 4-183, retaining venue as before and jurisdictional powers; P.A. 78-280 deleted references to counties; P.A. 80-422 restated and reorganized provisions, creating new Subsecs. (b) to (h) from provisions formerly included in Subsec. (a), redesignating former Subsecs. (c) to (f) accordingly, and deleting provision granting hearings precedence over all other matters before court; P.A. 80-483 made technical correction in Subsec. (d); Sec. 31-128 transferred to Sec. 46a-95 in 1981; P.A. 83-496 amended Subsec. (j) to authorize the commission to appeal a final order of a hearing officer; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 83-29 substituted appellate court for supreme court in Subsec. (i); P.A. 88-241 amended Subsec. (d) to replace court authority to set aside any order with court authority to remand any order to the commission or hearing officer, amended Subsec. (e) to prohibit the court considering a defense that was not urged before the hearing officer or an objection or defense that was raised or could have been raised on appeal under Sec. 46a-94a, deleted Subsec. (j) re the appeal of a final order of a hearing officer to the superior court and Subsec. (k) re an automatic stay of enforcement of any order upon commencement of review proceedings, and relettered the remaining Subsec. accordingly; P.A. 88-317 substituted "presiding officer" for "hearing officer", effective July 1, 1989, and applicable to all agency proceedings commencing on or after that date; P.A. 93-362 amended Subsec. (a) by deleting "or, where the respondent is an agency or officer of the state" and adding "or the complainant may" before "petition"; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-6 amended Subsec. (a) to replace "the commission counsel" with "a commission legal counsel", effective August 20, 2003; P.A. 11-237 amended Subsec. (a) by adding judicial district of Hartford, amended Subsec. (b) by replacing provision re transcript of entire record with "the order" and adding "as part of the commission's petition or upon order of the court", amended Subsec. (c) by adding complainant as party who shall serve petition or file affidavit and adding provision re filing affidavit with the court, amended Subsec. (d) by deleting former Subdivs. (1) and (3), redesignating existing Subdiv. (2) as Subdiv. (1), adding new Subdiv. (2) re entering a decree, and adding provisions re remand by court, court retaining jurisdiction, court orders to comply, and awarding costs of enforcement, amended Subsec. (e) by deleting provision re failure to urge objection and adding provision re limit of petitions, deleted former Subsecs. (f) to (h), redesignated existing Subsec. (i) as Subsec. (f) and amended same by adding exception re remand ordered pursuant to Subsec. (d), deleting provision re review on appeal, and adding provision re appeal of final decree, redesignated existing Subsec. (j) as Subsec. (g) and amended same by deleting provision re determination upon transcript filed, and made technical changes.

PART IV
PRIVATE RIGHTS OF ACTION. NOTICE POSTING PENALTIES

      Sec. 46a-98a. Discriminatory housing practice or breach of conciliation agreement: Cause of action; relief. Any person claiming to be aggrieved by a violation of section 46a-64c or 46a-81e or by a breach of a conciliation agreement entered into pursuant to this chapter, may bring an action in the Superior Court, or the housing session of said court if appropriate within one year of the date of the alleged discriminatory practice or of a breach of a conciliation agreement entered into pursuant to this chapter. No action pursuant to this section may be brought in the Superior Court regarding the alleged discriminatory practice after the commission has obtained a conciliation agreement pursuant to section 46a-83 or commenced a hearing pursuant to section 46a-84, except for an action to enforce the conciliation agreement. The court shall have the power to grant relief, by injunction or otherwise, as it deems just and suitable. In addition to the penalties provided for under subsection (g) of section 46a-64c or subsection (f) of section 46a-81e, the court may grant any relief which a presiding officer may grant in a proceeding under section 46a-86 or which the court may grant in a proceeding under section 46a-89. The commission, through commission legal counsel or the Attorney General, may intervene as a matter of right in any action brought pursuant to this section without permission of the court or the parties.

      (P.A. 81-81, S. 2; P.A. 88-241, S. 7; 88-364, S. 57, 123; P.A. 90-246, S. 14; P.A. 91-58, S. 34; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 92-11, S. 35, 70; P.A. 11-237, S. 13.)

      History: P.A. 88-241 revised a statutory reference and made a technical change; P.A. 88-364 corrected a reference to Sec. 46-64a to Sec. 46a-64a; P.A. 90-246 amended section by deleting reference to Sec. 46a-64a and adding reference to Sec. 46a-64c, and adding provision permitting person claiming to be aggrieved by violation of Sec. 46a-64c or breach of a conciliation agreement to bring action within one year of alleged discriminatory practice or breach of conciliation agreement, and permitting commission to intervene in any such action; P.A. 91-58 added a reference to a violation of Sec. 46a-81e and added a reference to the penalties provided for under Sec. 46a-81e(f); May Sp. Sess. P.A. 92-11 replaced "hearing officer" with "presiding officer"; P.A. 11-237 replaced "its counsel" with "commission legal counsel" and added provision re intervention without permission of the court or the parties.

      Sec. 46a-101. Release of pending complaint alleging discriminatory practice. Expedited merit assessment review. Time period for bringing action after release. (a) No action may be brought in accordance with section 46a-100 unless the complainant has received a release from the commission in accordance with the provisions of this section.

      (b) The complainant and the respondent, by themselves or their attorneys, may jointly request that the complainant receive a release from the commission at any time from the date of filing the complaint. The complainant or the complainant's attorney may request a release from the commission if the complaint is still pending after the expiration of one hundred eighty days from the date of its filing or after a merit assessment review in accordance with subsection (b) of section 46a-83, whichever is earlier. The executive director or the executive director's designee shall conduct an expedited merit assessment review in accordance with subsection (b) of section 46a-83 if the commission receives a request for a release of jurisdiction from the complainant or the complainant's attorney prior to one hundred eighty days from the date a complaint is filed.

      (c) The executive director of the commission shall grant a release, allowing the complainant to bring a civil action, within ten business days after receipt of the request for the release, except that if a case is scheduled for public hearing, the executive director may decline to issue a release. The commission may defer acting on a request for a release for thirty days if the executive director of the commission, or his designee, certifies that he has reason to believe that the complaint may be resolved within that period.

      (d) Upon granting a release, the commission shall dismiss or otherwise administratively dispose of the discriminatory practice complaint pending with the commission without cost or penalty assessed to any party.

      (e) Any action brought by the complainant in accordance with section 46a-100 shall be brought within ninety days of the receipt of the release from the commission.

      (P.A. 91-331, S. 2; P.A. 98-245, S. 7, 14; P.A. 11-237, S. 14.)

      History: P.A. 98-245 amended Subsec. (b) by adding provision that complainant and respondent may jointly request that the complainant receive a release at any time from date of filing the complaint until 210 days from the date of filing the complaint, effective July 1, 1998, and applicable to all cases pending with the commission or in the courts and cases filed on or after said date; P.A. 11-237 amended Subsec. (b) by making technical changes, deleting provision re expiration of 210 days from filing complaint, replacing provisions re requesting release of pending complaint after expiration of 210 days with provisions allowing such request by earlier of 180 days of its filing or after merit assessment review, and adding provision re expedited merit assessment review.

      Sec. 46a-104. Civil action for discriminatory practice: Relief. The court may grant a complainant in an action brought in accordance with section 46a-100 such legal and equitable relief which it deems appropriate including, but not limited to, temporary or permanent injunctive relief, attorney's fees and court costs. The amount of attorney's fees allowed shall not be contingent upon the amount of damages requested by or awarded to the complainant.

      (P.A. 91-331, S. 5; P.A. 11-237, S. 15.)

      History: P.A. 11-237 added provision re amount of attorney's fees allowed.