Chapter 368m

Sec. 19a-336. (Formerly Sec. 19-311). Obstruction of watercourse. If any person unlawfully dams or obstructs a watercourse to the special damage of another, such diversion or obstruction shall be a common nuisance and may be abated as such. Any person who violates any provision of this section shall be fined not more than seven dollars, and each week that such nuisance continues shall be a separate offense. If any person removes or injures a mill dam which is not a nuisance, he shall pay to the party injured double damages and double costs.

(1949 Rev., S. 4201.)

History: Sec. 19-311 transferred to Sec. 19a-336 in 1983.

See Sec. 7-147 re municipalities' powers to prohibit obstructions in waterways.

Annotation to former section 19-311:

Cited. 147 C. 153.

Sec. 19a-337. (Formerly Sec. 19-312). Rubbish deposited in streams. Any person who wilfully deposits material in any watercourse where it will naturally be carried to the land of another to his injury shall pay to the party injured thereby double damages and costs, unless, within a reasonable time after notice of the injury, he removes such material from such land.

(1949 Rev., S. 4202.)

History: Sec. 19-312 transferred to Sec. 19a-337 in 1983.

See Sec. 7-147 re municipalities' power to prohibit obstructions in waterways.

Sec. 19a-338. (Formerly Sec. 19-313). Obstruction of navigable waters. Any person who places any material which tends to obstruct navigation in navigable waters shall be fined not more than one hundred dollars, and such person shall be ordered by the court before which the conviction is had to remove such material within thirty days, and, on his failure to do so, any person may remove such material at the expense of the person who placed it there; but the provisions of this section shall not apply to oyster beds that have been designated and set out for the purpose of planting and cultivating oysters thereon. Nothing in this section shall prohibit the filling or wharfing out in such waters between the shore and the harbor lines established in any harbor.

(1949 Rev., S. 4203.)

History: Sec. 19-313 transferred to Sec. 19a-338 in 1983.

See Sec. 22a-427 re prohibition against pollution of or discharge of wastes in state waters.

Sec. 19a-339. (Formerly Sec. 19-314). Obstructions in Connecticut River. Any person who unlawfully sinks any material in the Connecticut River for the purpose of obstructing the water or turning it from its natural course, or for making or enlarging any island, shall pay the expense of removing such material and be fined not more than five hundred dollars.

(1949 Rev., S. 4204.)

History: Sec. 19-314 transferred to Sec. 19a-339 in 1983.

See Sec. 22a-359 et seq. re erection of structures and placement of fill in tidal, coastal or navigable waters.

Sec. 19a-340. (Formerly Sec. 19-315). Nuisances created by filthy water. Any person who places, collects or allows to remain upon the surface of land owned or occupied by him, or discharges or allows to be discharged from his premises upon the land of another or upon any public land, any filthy water, garbage or other filthy or noxious matter, whereby the owner or occupant of land in the vicinity thereof is injured or annoyed, or discharges or deposits upon the watershed of any stream or reservoir used to supply water to any community filthy or noxious matter, or any person who, outside of a city or borough, in any town, engages or assists in the business of manufacturing fertilizers or other products from refuse animal matter, at any place within half a mile from a public highway, without license from the director of health of such town, shall be fined not more than fifty dollars. The court before which such conviction is had may order the accused to remove such nuisance within three days, and, upon his failure to do so, it shall be removed by a constable of the town where such nuisance is maintained, and the court may tax the cost of the same against the accused and issue execution therefor.

(1949 Rev., S. 4205; 1951, S. 2142d.)

History: Sec. 19-315 transferred to Sec. 19a-340 in 1983.

See Sec. 22a-427 re prohibition against pollution of or discharge of wastes in state waters.

Cited. 226 C. 358.

Sec. 19a-341. Agricultural or farming operation not deemed a nuisance; exceptions. Spring or well water collection operation not deemed a nuisance. (a) Notwithstanding any general statute or municipal ordinance or regulation pertaining to nuisances to the contrary, no agricultural or farming operation, place, establishment or facility, or any of its appurtenances, or the operation thereof, shall be deemed to constitute a nuisance, either public or private, due to alleged objectionable (1) odor from livestock, manure, fertilizer or feed, (2) noise from livestock or farm equipment used in normal, generally acceptable farming procedures, (3) dust created during plowing or cultivation operations, (4) use of chemicals, provided such chemicals and the method of their application conform to practices approved by the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection or, where applicable, the Commissioner of Public Health, or (5) water pollution from livestock or crop production activities, except the pollution of public or private drinking water supplies, provided such activities conform to acceptable management practices for pollution control approved by the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection; provided such agricultural or farming operation, place, establishment or facility has been in operation for one year or more and has not been substantially changed, and such operation follows generally accepted agricultural practices. Inspection and approval of the agricultural or farming operation, place, establishment or facility by the Commissioner of Agriculture or his designee shall be prima facie evidence that such operation follows generally accepted agricultural practices.

(b) Notwithstanding any general statute or municipal ordinance or regulation pertaining to nuisances, no operation to collect spring water or well water, as defined in section 21a-150, shall be deemed to constitute a nuisance, either public or private, due to alleged objectionable noise from equipment used in such operation provided the operation (1) conforms to generally accepted practices for the collection of spring water or well water, (2) has received all approvals or permits required by law, and (3) complies with the local zoning authority's time, place and manner restrictions on operations to collect spring water or well water.

(c) The provisions of this section shall not apply whenever a nuisance results from negligence or wilful or reckless misconduct in the operation of any such agricultural or farming operation, place, establishment or facility, or any of its appurtenances.

(P.A. 81-226; P.A. 93-381, S. 9, 39; P.A. 95-257, S. 12, 21, 58; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-11, S. 53, 65; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-6, S. 146(e); P.A. 04-189, S. 1; P.A. 11-80, S. 1.)

History: P.A. 93-381 replaced commissioner of health services with commissioner of public health and addiction services, effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 95-257 replaced Commissioner and Department of Public Health and Addiction Services with Commissioner and Department of Public Health, effective July 1, 1995; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-11 added new Subsec. (b) re collection of spring or well water and redesignated existing Subsec. (b) as Subsec. (c), effective July 1, 1997; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-6 replaced Commissioner of Agriculture with Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Protection, effective July 1, 2004; P.A. 04-189 repealed Sec. 146 of June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-6, thereby reversing the merger of the Departments of Agriculture and Consumer Protection, effective June 1, 2004; pursuant to P.A. 11-80, “Commissioner of Environmental Protection” was changed editorially by the Revisors to “Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection” in Subsec. (a), effective July 1, 2011.

Elements of common law private nuisance claim discussed. 259 C. 345.

Sec. 19a-341a. Maintenance of swine gestation and farrowing barn. Permissible location. Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes or the regulations of Connecticut state agencies, a swine gestation and farrowing barn maintained on property which has been in continuous use as a farm for not less than fifty years may continue to be maintained provided such barn is no closer than two hundred feet from any inhabited house located upon the property other than that of the proprietor of such barn.

(P.A. 09-232, S. 41.)

History: P.A. 09-232 effective July 8, 2009.

Sec. 19a-342. (Formerly Sec. 1-21b). Smoking prohibited. Exceptions. Signs required. Penalties. (a) As used in this section:

(1) “Smoke” or “smoking” means the burning of a lighted cigarette, cigar, pipe or any other similar device, whether containing, wholly or in part, tobacco, cannabis, or hemp;

(2) “Any area” means the interior of the facility, building or establishment and the outside area within twenty-five feet of any doorway, operable window or air intake vent of the facility, building or establishment;

(3) “Cannabis” means marijuana, as defined in section 21a-240; and

(4) “Hemp” has the same meaning as provided in section 22-61l.

(b) (1) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 31-40q, no person shall smoke: (A) In any area of a building or portion of a building, owned and operated or leased and operated by the state or any political subdivision of the state; (B) in any area of a health care institution, including, but not limited to, a psychiatric facility; (C) in any area of a retail establishment accessed by the general public; (D) in any restaurant; (E) in any area of an establishment with a permit issued for the sale of alcoholic liquor pursuant to section 30-20a, 30-21, 30-21b, 30-22, 30-22c, 30-28, 30-28a, 30-33a, 30-33b, 30-35a, 30-37a, 30-37e or 30-37f, in any area of an establishment with a permit for the sale of alcoholic liquor pursuant to section 30-22aa issued after May 1, 2003, and, on and after April 1, 2004, in any area of an establishment with a permit issued for the sale of alcoholic liquor pursuant to section 30-22a or 30-26; (F) in any area of a school building or on the grounds of such school; (G) within a child care facility or on the grounds of such child care facility, except, if the child care facility is a family child care home, as defined in section 19a-77, such smoking is prohibited only when a child enrolled in such home is present during customary business hours; (H) in any passenger elevator; (I) in any area of a dormitory in any public or private institution of higher education; (J) in any area of a dog race track or a facility equipped with screens for the simulcasting of off-track betting race programs or jai alai games; (K) in any room offered as an accommodation to guests by the operator of a hotel, motel or similar lodging; (L) in any area of a correctional facility or halfway house; or (M) in any area of a platform or a shelter at a rail, busway or bus station, owned and operated or leased and operated by the state or any political subdivision of the state. For purposes of this subsection, “restaurant” means space, in a suitable and permanent building, kept, used, maintained, advertised and held out to the public to be a place where meals are regularly served to the public, “school” has the same meaning as provided in section 10-154a and “child care facility” has the same meaning as provided in section 19a-342a.

(2) Subdivision (1) of this subsection shall not apply to the following: (A) Public housing projects, as defined in subsection (b) of section 21a-278a; (B) any classroom where demonstration smoking is taking place as part of a medical or scientific experiment or lesson; (C) notwithstanding the provisions of subparagraph (E) of subdivision (1) of this subsection, the outdoor portion of the premises of any permittee listed in subparagraph (E) of subdivision (1) of this subsection, provided, in the case of any seating area maintained for the service of food, at least seventy-five per cent of the outdoor seating capacity is an area in which smoking is prohibited and which is clearly designated with written signage as a nonsmoking area, except that any temporary seating area established for special events and not used on a regular basis shall not be subject to the smoking prohibition or signage requirements of this subparagraph; (D) any medical research site where smoking is integral to the research being conducted; or (E) any tobacco bar, provided no tobacco bar shall expand in size or change its location from its size or location as of December 31, 2002. For purposes of this subdivision, “outdoor” means an area which has no roof or other ceiling enclosure, “tobacco bar” means an establishment with a permit for the sale of alcoholic liquor to consumers issued pursuant to chapter 545 that, in the calendar year ending December 31, 2002, generated ten per cent or more of its total annual gross income from the on-site sale of tobacco products and the rental of on-site humidors, “tobacco product” means any substance that contains tobacco, including, but not limited to, cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco or chewing tobacco, except “tobacco product” does not include cannabis.

(c) In each room, elevator, area or building in which smoking is prohibited by this section, the person in control of the premises shall post or cause to be posted in a conspicuous place signs stating that smoking is prohibited by state law. Such signs, except in elevators, restaurants, establishments with permits to sell alcoholic liquor to consumers issued pursuant to chapter 545, hotels, motels or similar lodgings, and health care institutions, shall have letters at least four inches high with the principal strokes of letters not less than one-half inch wide.

(d) Any person found guilty of smoking in violation of this section, failure to post signs as required by this section or the unauthorized removal of such signs shall have committed an infraction. Nothing in this section shall be construed to require the person in control of a building to post such signs in every room of the building, provided such signs are posted in a conspicuous place in the building.

(e) Nothing in this section shall be construed to require any smoking area inside or outside any building or the entryway to any building or on any property.

(f) The provisions of this section shall supersede and preempt the provisions of any municipal law or ordinance relative to smoking effective prior to, on or after October 1, 1993.

(P.A. 74-126, S. 1–3; P.A. 77-284; P.A. 79-410; P.A. 83-27; 83-242; P.A. 84-546, S. 5, 173; P.A. 87-201; 87-589, S. 63; P.A. 93-110, S. 2, 5; 93-304; 93-368, S. 2; 93-435, S. 62, 95; P.A. 02-110, S. 1; P.A. 03-45, S. 1; 03-235, S. 2; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-3, S. 33; P.A. 04-9, S. 1; P.A. 17-146, S. 35; P.A. 18-167, S. 7; P.A. 19-13, S. 17; P.A. 21-175, S. 12; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 21-1, S. 86; P.A. 22-92, S. 1; 22-118, S. 510.)

History: P.A. 77-284 defined “smoking”, prohibited smoking in health care institutions, elevators, classrooms and government buildings and meetings except where noted and clarified sign posting requirements; P.A. 79-410 amplified previous restrictions, added restrictions for restaurants and food stores and exempted signs in elevators, restaurants and health care institutions from size requirements; P.A. 83-27 amended Subsec. (d) by replacing the penalty provision of a fine of not more than $5 with the provision that violation of the section is an infraction; P.A. 83-242 amended Subsec. (b) to provide nonsmoking rooms to persons in health care institutions and to require restaurants to post signs indicating the availability of nonsmoking areas and added Subsec. (e) to expand the penalty for restaurants in violation of any requirement; P.A. 84-546 made technical changes in Subsecs. (d) and (e); P.A. 87-201 added Subsec. (b)(5) to expand the prohibition against smoking in public schools and renumbering the remaining Subdiv. accordingly; P.A. 87-589 amended new Subdiv. (5) to authorize designation of more than one smoking area; P.A. 93-110 deleted Subsec. (e) re demerit item deductions for restaurants in violation of Subsec. (b)(4); P.A. 93-304 amended Subsec. (a) to define “smoking area”, amended Subsec. (b) to prohibit smoking except in a smoking area, deleting prior detailed provisions re smoking in college classrooms, health care institutions and public school buildings and substituting general exemption for correctional facilities, dormitory rooms, psychiatric facilities and public housing projects and added Subsec. (f) to specify that smoking areas are not required and Subsec. (g) re preemption and supersedence of municipal laws and ordinances; P.A. 93-368 amended Subsec. (g) to include any municipal law or ordinance effective after October 1, 1993, among those superseded and preempted; P.A. 93-435 substituted reference to Sec. 21a-278a for reference to Sec. 21a-278, effective June 28, 1993; Sec. 1-21b transferred to Sec. 19a-342 in 1999; P.A. 02-110 added Subsec. (b)(7) prohibiting smoking in any dormitory in any public institution of higher education and made technical changes; P.A. 03-45 amended Subsec. (a) by deleting provisions re smoking areas, replaced former Subsec. (b) with new Subsec. (b), expanding areas where smoking is prohibited and expanding exceptions to smoking prohibition, added new Subsec. (c) allowing smoking in limited number of hotel or motel guest rooms, redesignated existing Subsecs. (c) to (f) as Subsecs. (d) to (g) and amended redesignated Subsec. (d) by adding provision re establishment with permits to sell alcoholic liquor, hotels, motels or similar lodgings; P.A. 03-235 amended Subsec. (b)(1)(E) to delete reference to Sec. 30-37c and to prohibit smoking in the bar area of a bowling establishment holding a permit issued pursuant to Sec. 30-37c(a) on and after April 1, 2004; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-3 added Subsec. (b)(1)(I) prohibiting smoking at dog race tracks and facilities for simulcasting off-track betting race programs or jai alai games on and after April 1, 2004; P.A. 04-9 amended Subdiv. (b)(1) by making a technical change; P.A. 17-146 amended Subsec. (b)(2) by making a technical change in Subpara. (D), adding new Subpara. (G) re medical research site, and redesignating existing Subpara. (G) re tobacco bar as Subpara. (H), and amended Subsec. (e) by adding provision re section not to be construed to require person in control of building to post signs in every room of building; P.A. 18-167 amended Subsec. (b)(1)(A) by adding provision prohibiting smoking in any partially enclosed shelter on a rail platform or bus shelter; P.A. 19-13 amended Subsec. (b)(1) by replacing “while school is in session or student activities are being conducted” with “or on the grounds of such school” in Subpara. (F), adding new Subpara. (G) re child care facility, redesignating existing Subparas. (G) to (J) as new Subparas. (H) to (J), and adding provisions defining “school” and “child care facility”; P.A. 21-175 amended by Subsec. (b)(1) by deleting “partially enclosed shelter on a rail platform or bus shelter” in Subpara. (A), adding Subpara. (K), codified by the Revisors as Subpara. (M), re platform or shelter at rail, busway or bus station and making a technical change; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 21-1 amended Subsec. (a) by designating existing definition of smoke as Subdiv. (1) and redefining the same, adding Subdiv. (2) defining “any area”, Subdiv. (3) defining “cannabis” and Subdiv. (4) defining “hemp”, amended Subsec. (b)(1) by adding “area of a” in Subparas. (A) and (I), adding reference to psychiatric facility in Subpara. (B), replacing “food store” with “establishment accessed by the general public” in Subpara. (C), replacing “within” with “in any area of” in Subpara. (F), adding “during customary business hours” in Subpara. (G), deleting provision re prohibition on arrest for violation if no sign in elevator re smoking prohibition in Subpara. (H), deleting reference to “April 1, 2004” in Subpara. (J), adding Subpara. (K) re room offered for accommodation and Subpara. (L) re correctional facility or halfway house, amended Subsec. (b)(2) by replacing reference to this section with reference to Subsec.(b)(1), deleting former Subparas. (A) and (B) re correctional facilities and psychiatric facilities, redesignating existing Subparas. (C) and (D) as Subparas. (A) and (B), deleting former Subpara. (E) re employee smoking rooms, redesignating existing Subparas. (F) to (H) as Subparas. (C) to (E), redefining “tobacco product” to exclude cannabis and making a technical change, deleted former Subsec. (c) re operator of hotel, motel or lodging, redesignated existing Subsecs. (d) to (g) as Subsecs.(c) to (f), amended Subsec. (d) by making technical changes and amended Subsec. (e) by replacing “in” with “inside or outside” and adding references to entryway and on any property; P.A. 22-92 amended Subsec. (b)(1)(E) by replacing “section 30-23” with “section 30-22aa” and deleting “or the bar area of a bowling establishment holding a permit pursuant to subsection (a) of section 30-37c”, effective May 24, 2022; P.A. 22-118 made identical changes as P.A. 22-92, effective May 7, 2022.

Annotations to former section 1-21b:

Cited. 184 C. 102; 190 C. 235; 206 C. 449; 212 C. 100; 224 C. 666.

Cited. 2 CA 600.

Annotation to present section:

Legislature's failure to impose smoking ban on casinos and private clubs does not violate equal protection rights of owners of restaurants and cafes subject to the ban and uncertainties of enforcement provide rational basis for exemption. 281 C. 277.

Sec. 19a-342a. Use of electronic nicotine or cannabis delivery system or vapor product prohibited. Exceptions. Signage required. Penalties. (a) As used in this section:

(1) “Any area” means the interior of the facility, building or establishment and the outside area within twenty-five feet of any doorway, operable window or air intake vent of the facility, building or establishment;

(2) “Child care facility” means a provider of child care services as defined in section 19a-77, or a person or entity required to be licensed under section 17a-145;

(3) “Electronic nicotine delivery system” means an electronic device used in the delivery of nicotine to a person inhaling from the device, and includes, but is not limited to, an electronic cigarette, electronic cigar, electronic cigarillo, electronic pipe or electronic hookah and any related device and any cartridge or other component of such device, including, but not limited to, electronic cigarette liquid or synthetic nicotine. “Electronic nicotine delivery system” does not include a medicinal or therapeutic product that is (A) used by a licensed health care provider to treat a patient in a health care setting, (B) used by a patient, as prescribed or directed by a licensed healthcare provider in any setting, or (C) any drug or device, as defined in the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, 21 USC 321, as amended from time to time, any combination product, as described in said act, 21 USC 353(g), as amended from time to time, or any biological product, as described in 42 USC 262, as amended from time to time, and 21 CFR 600.3, as amended from time to time, authorized for sale by the federal Food and Drug Administration;

(4) “Electronic cigarette liquid” does not include a medicinal or therapeutic product that is (A) used by a licensed health care provider to treat a patient in a health care setting, (B) used by a patient, as prescribed or directed by a licensed health care provider in any setting, or (C) any drug or device, as defined in the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, 21 USC 321, as amended from time to time, any combination product, as described in said act, 21 USC 353(g), as amended from time to time, or any biological product, as described in 42 USC 262, as amended from time to time, and 21 CFR 600.3, as amended from time to time, authorized for sale by the federal Food and Drug Administration;

(5) “Electronic cannabis delivery system” means an electronic device that may be used to simulate smoking in the delivery of cannabis to a person inhaling the device and includes, but is not limited to, a vaporizer, electronic pipe, electronic hookah and any related device and any cartridge or other component of such device. “Electronic cannabis delivery system” does not include a medicinal or therapeutic product that is (A) used by a licensed health care provider to treat a patient in a health care setting, (B) used by a patient, as prescribed or directed by a licensed health care provider in any setting, or (C) any drug or device, as defined in the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, 21 USC 321, as amended from time to time, any combination product, as described in said act, 21 USC 353(g), as amended from time to time, or any biological product, as described in 42 USC 262, as amended from time to time, and 21 CFR 600.3, as amended from time to time, authorized for sale by the federal Food and Drug Administration;

(6) “Cannabis” means marijuana, as defined in section 21a-240;

(7) “Liquid nicotine container” means a container that holds a liquid substance containing nicotine that is sold, marketed or intended for use in an electronic nicotine delivery system or vapor product, except “liquid nicotine container” does not include such a container that is prefilled and sealed by the manufacturer and not intended to be opened by the consumer; and

(8) “Vapor product” means any product that employs a heating element, power source, electronic circuit or other electronic, chemical or mechanical means, regardless of shape or size, to produce a vapor that may include nicotine or cannabis and is inhaled by the user of such product. “Vapor product” does not include a medicinal or therapeutic product that is (A) used by a licensed health care provider to treat a patient in a health care setting, (B) used by a patient, as prescribed or directed by a licensed health care provider in any setting, or (C) any drug or device, as defined in the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, 21 USC 321, as amended from time to time, any combination product, as described in said act, 21 USC 353(g), as amended from time to time, or any biological product, as defined in 42 USC 262, as amended from time to time, and 21 CFR 600.3, as amended from time to time, authorized for sale by the federal Food and Drug Administration.

(b) (1) No person shall use an electronic nicotine or cannabis delivery system or vapor product: (A) In any area of a building or portion of a building owned and operated or leased and operated by the state or any political subdivision of the state; (B) in any area of a health care institution, including, but not limited to, a psychiatric facility; (C) in any area of a retail establishment accessed by the public; (D) in any restaurant; (E) in any area of an establishment with a permit issued for the sale of alcoholic liquor pursuant to section 30-20a, 30-21, 30-21b, 30-22, 30-22a, 30-22c, 30-26, 30-28, 30-28a, 30-33a, 30-33b, 30-35a, 30-37a, 30-37e or 30-37f, in any area of establishment with a permit issued for the sale of alcoholic liquor pursuant to section 30-22aa issued after May 1, 2003; (F) in any area of a school building or on the grounds of such school; (G) within a child care facility or on the grounds of such child care facility, except, if the child care facility is a family child care home as defined in section 19a-77, such use is prohibited only when a child enrolled in such home is present during customary business hours; (H) in any passenger elevator; (I) in any area of a dormitory in any public or private institution of higher education; (J) in any area of a dog race track or a facility equipped with screens for the simulcasting of off-track betting race programs or jai alai games; (K) in any room offered as an accommodation to guests by the operator of a hotel, motel or similar lodging; (L) in any area of a correctional facility, halfway house or residential facility funded by the Judicial Branch; or (M) in any area of a platform or a shelter at a rail, busway or bus station, owned and operated or leased and operated by the state or any political subdivision of the state. For purposes of this subsection, “restaurant” means space, in a suitable and permanent building, kept, used, maintained, advertised and held out to the public to be a place where meals are regularly served to the public, and “school” has the same meaning as provided in section 10-154a.

(2) Subdivision (1) of this subsection shall not apply to the following: (A) Public housing projects, as defined in subsection (b) of section 21a-278a; (B) any classroom where a demonstration of the use of an electronic nicotine or cannabis delivery system or vapor product is taking place as part of a medical or scientific experiment or lesson; (C) any medical research site where the use of an electronic nicotine or cannabis delivery system or vapor product is integral to the research being conducted; (D) establishments without a permit for the sale of alcoholic liquor that sell electronic nicotine delivery systems, vapor products or liquid nicotine containers on-site and allow their customers to use such systems, products or containers on-site; (E) notwithstanding the provisions of subparagraph (E) of subdivision (1) of this subsection, the outdoor portion of the premises of any permittee listed in subparagraph (E) of subdivision (1) of this subsection, provided, in the case of any seating area maintained for the service of food, at least seventy-five per cent of the outdoor seating capacity is an area in which smoking is prohibited and which is clearly designated with written signage as a nonsmoking area, except that any temporary seating area established for special events and not used on a regular basis shall not be subject to the prohibition on the use of an electronic nicotine or cannabis delivery system or vapor product or the signage requirements of this subparagraph; or (F) any tobacco bar, provided no tobacco bar shall expand in size or change its location from its size or location as of October 1, 2015. For purposes of this subdivision, “outdoor” means an area which has no roof or other ceiling enclosure, “tobacco bar” means an establishment with a permit for the sale of alcoholic liquor to consumers issued pursuant to chapter 545 that, in the calendar year ending December 31, 2015, generated ten per cent or more of its total annual gross income from the on-site sale of tobacco products and the rental of on-site humidors, “tobacco product” means any substance that contains tobacco, including, but not limited to, cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco or chewing tobacco, except that “tobacco product” does not include cannabis.

(c) In each room, elevator, area or building in which the use of an electronic nicotine or cannabis delivery system or vapor product is prohibited by this section, the person in control of the premises shall post or cause to be posted in a conspicuous place signs stating that such use is prohibited by state law. Such signs, except in elevators, restaurants, establishments with permits to sell alcoholic liquor to consumers issued pursuant to chapter 545, hotels, motels or similar lodgings, and health care institutions, shall have letters at least four inches high with the principal strokes of letters not less than one-half inch wide.

(d) Any person found guilty of using an electronic nicotine or cannabis delivery system or vapor product in violation of this section, failure to post signs as required by this section or the unauthorized removal of such signs shall have committed an infraction. Nothing in this section shall be construed to require the person in control of a building to post such signs in every room of the building, provided such signs are posted in a conspicuous place in the building.

(e) Nothing in this section shall be construed to require the designation of any area for the use of electronic nicotine or cannabis delivery system or vapor product inside or outside any building or the entryway to any building or on any property.

(f) The provisions of this section shall supersede and preempt the provisions of any municipal law or ordinance relative to the use of an electronic nicotine delivery system or vapor product effective prior to, on or after October 1, 2015.

(P.A. 15-206, S. 1; 15-227, S. 25; P.A. 17-146, S. 36; P.A. 19-13, S. 18, 22; P.A. 21-175, S. 21; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 21-1, S. 87; P.A. 22-92, S. 2; 22-118, S. 511.)

History: Pursuant to P.A. 15-227, “child day care services” and “family day care home” were changed editorially by the Revisors to “child care services” and “family child care home”, respectively, effective July 1, 2015; P.A. 17-146 amended Subsec. (a)(4) by redefining “vapor product” and amended Subsec. (b)(2) by making a technical change in Subpara. (D) and adding new Subpara. (E) re medical research site, and redesignating existing Subparas. (E) to (H) as Subparas. (F) to (I); P.A. 19-13 amended Subsec. (a) by redefining “electronic nicotine delivery system” in Subdiv. (2) and redefining “vapor product” in Subdiv. (4) and amended Subsec. (b)(1) by replacing “while school is in session or student activities are being conducted” with “or on the grounds of such school” in Subpara. (F), adding “or on the grounds of such child care facility” in Subpara. (G) and adding provision defining “school”; P.A. 21-175 amended Subsec. (b)(1) by adding Subpara. (K), codified by the Revisors as Subpara. (M), re platform or shelter at a rail, busway or bus station and making a technical change; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 21-1 amended Subsec. (a) by deleting reference to P.A. 15-206, adding new Subdiv. (1) defining “any area”, redesignating existing Subdivs. (1) and (2) as Subdivs. (2) and (3), amending redesignated Subdiv. (3) by redefining “electronic nicotine delivery system”, adding new Subdiv. (4) defining “electronic cigarette liquid”, adding Subdivs. (5) and (6) defining “electronic cannabis delivery system” and “cannabis”, redesignating existing Subdivs. (3) and (4) as Subdivs. (7) and (8) and amending Subdiv. (8) by redefining “vapor product”, amended Subsec. (b) by adding “or cannabis” in Subdiv. (1), adding “area of a” in Subparas. (A) and (I), adding reference to psychiatric facility in Subpara. (B), replacing “food store” with “establishment accessed by the public” in Subpara. (C), replacing “within” with “in any area of” in Subpara. (F), adding “during customary business hours” in Subpara. (G), deleting provision re prohibition on arrest for violation if no sign in elevator re smoking prohibition in Subpara. (H), adding Subpara. (K) re room offered for accommodation and Subpara. (L) re correctional or residential facility or halfway house, amended Subsec. (b)(2) by replacing reference to this section with reference to Subsec. (b)(1), deleting former Subparas. (A) and (B) re correctional facilities and psychiatric facilities, redesignating existing Subparas. (C) to (F) as Subparas. (A) to (D), adding reference to cannabis in redesignated Subparas. (B) and (E), deleting former Subpara. (G) re employee smoking rooms, redesignating existing Subparas. (H) and (I) as Subparas. (E) and (F), redefining “tobacco product” to exclude cannabis and by making technical changes, deleted former Subsec. (c) re operator of hotel, motel or lodging, redesignated existing Subsecs. (d) to (g) as Subsecs.(c) to (f), amended redesignated Subsecs. (c) to (e) by adding references to “cannabis”, amended redesignated Subsec. (d) to add provision re construction of sign requirement, and amended redesignated Subsec. (e) by replacing “in” with “inside or outside” and adding references to entryway and on any property; P.A. 22-92 amended Subsec. (b)(1)(E) by replacing “section 30-23” with “section 30-22aa” and deleting “, or the bar area of a bowling establishment holding a permit pursuant to subsection (a) of section 30-37c”, effective May 24, 2022; P.A. 22-118 made identical changes as P.A. 22-92, effective May 7, 2022.

Sec. 19a-343. State action to abate public nuisance. Offenses. (a) For the purposes of this section and sections 19a-343a to 19a-343h, inclusive, a person creates or maintains a public nuisance if such person erects, establishes, maintains, uses, owns or leases any real property or portion of such property for (1) any of the purposes enumerated in subdivisions (1) to (6), inclusive, of subsection (c) of this section, or (2) on which any of the offenses enumerated in subdivisions (1) to (14), inclusive, of subsection (c) of this section have occurred.

(b) The state has the exclusive right to bring an action to abate a public nuisance under this section and sections 19a-343a to 19a-343h, inclusive, involving any real property or portion of such property, commercial or residential, including single or multifamily dwellings, provided there have been three or more arrests, the issuance of three or more arrest warrants indicating a pattern of criminal activity and not isolated incidents or the issuance of three or more citations for a violation of a municipal ordinance as described in subdivision (14) of subsection (c) of this section, for conduct on the property documented by a law enforcement officer for any of the offenses enumerated in subdivisions (1) to (14), inclusive, of subsection (c) of this section during the three-hundred-sixty-five-day period preceding commencement of the action.

(c) Three or more arrests, the issuance of three or more arrest warrants indicating a pattern of criminal activity and not isolated incidents or the issuance of three or more citations for a violation of a municipal ordinance as described in subdivision (14) of this subsection, for the following offenses shall constitute the basis for bringing an action to abate a public nuisance:

(1) Prostitution under section 53a-82, 53a-83, 53a-86, 53a-87, 53a-88 or 53a-89.

(2) Promoting an obscene performance or obscene material under section 53a-196 or 53a-196b, employing a minor in an obscene performance under section 53a-196a, importing child pornography under section 53a-196c, possessing child pornography in the first degree under section 53a-196d, possessing child pornography in the second degree under section 53a-196e or possessing child pornography in the third degree under section 53a-196f.

(3) Transmission of gambling information under section 53-278b or 53-278d or maintaining of a gambling premises under section 53-278e.

(4) Offenses for the sale of controlled substances, possession of controlled substances with intent to sell, or maintaining a drug factory under section 21a-277, 21a-278, 21a-278a or 21a-278b or use of the property by persons possessing controlled substances under section 21a-279. Nothing in this section shall prevent the state from also proceeding against property under section 21a-259 or 54-36h.

(5) Unauthorized sale of alcoholic liquor under section 30-74 or disposing of liquor without a permit under section 30-77, or sale or delivery of alcoholic liquor to any minor under subdivision (1) of subsection (b) of section 30-86 or the sale, delivery or giving of alcoholic liquor to a minor under subdivision (2) of subsection (b) of section 30-86.

(6) Maintaining a motor vehicle chop shop under section 14-149a.

(7) Inciting injury to persons or property under section 53a-179a.

(8) Murder or manslaughter under section 53a-54a, 53a-54b, 53a-55, 53a-56 or 53a-56a.

(9) Assault under section 53a-59, 53a-59a, subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of section 53a-60 or section 53a-60a or 53a-61.

(10) Sexual assault under section 53a-70 or 53a-70a.

(11) Fire safety violations under section 29-291a, 29-291c, 29-292, subsection (b) of section 29-310, or section 29-315, 29-349 or 29-357.

(12) Firearm offenses under section 29-35, 53-202aa, 53-203, 53a-211, 53a-212, 53a-216, 53a-217 or 53a-217c.

(13) Illegal manufacture, sale, possession or dispensing of a drug under subdivision (2) of section 21a-108.

(14) Violation of a municipal ordinance resulting in the issuance of a citation for (A) excessive noise on nonresidential real property that significantly impacts the surrounding area, provided the municipality's excessive noise ordinance is based on an objective standard, (B) owning or leasing a dwelling unit that provides residence to an excessive number of unrelated persons resulting in dangerous or unsanitary conditions that significantly impact the safety of the surrounding area, or (C) impermissible operation of (i) a business that permits persons who are not licensed pursuant to section 20-206b to engage in the practice of massage therapy, or (ii) a massage parlor, as defined by the applicable municipal ordinance, that significantly impacts the safety of the surrounding area.

(P.A. 98-220, S. 1, 10; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 98-1, S. 99, 121; P.A. 99-115, S. 1, 3; P.A. 03-231, S. 4; P.A. 04-139, S. 11; P.A. 09-177, S. 20; P.A. 10-54, S. 6; P.A. 12-60, S. 3, 4; P.A. 13-174, S. 1, 2; P.A. 17-80, S. 4; 17-87, S. 1; P.A. 21-121, S. 37; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 21-1, S. 155.)

History: P.A. 98-220 effective July 1, 1998; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 98-1 made a technical change in Subsec. (b), effective July 1, 1998; P.A. 99-115 made technical changes in Subsecs. (a) and (b), amended Subsecs. (b) and (c) by adding “or the issuance of three or more arrest warrants indicating a pattern of criminal activity and not isolated incidents”, and amended Subsec. (c) by adding Subdivs. (8), (9) and (10) re murder or manslaughter, assault and sexual assault, respectively, effective July 1, 1999; P.A. 03-231 amended Subsecs. (a) and (b) to make technical changes and amended Subsec. (c) to add Subdiv. (11) re fire safety violations, effective July 9, 2003; P.A. 04-139 amended Subsec. (c)(2) to replace “importing or possessing child pornography under section 53a-196c or 53a-196d” with “importing child pornography under section 53a-196c, possessing child pornography in the first degree under section 53a-196d, possessing child pornography in the second degree under section 53a-196e or possessing child pornography in the third degree under section 53a-196f”; P.A. 09-177 amended Subsec. (c)(11) to delete references to Secs. 29-317 and 29-325, effective January 1, 2011; P.A. 10-54 changed effective date of P.A. 09-177, S. 20, from January 1, 2011, to January 1, 2013, effective May 18, 2010; P.A. 12-60 changed effective date of P.A. 09-177, S. 20, as amended by P.A. 10-54, S. 6, from January 1, 2013, to January 1, 2015, effective May 31, 2012; P.A. 13-174 amended Subsec. (a) by redesignating existing provision re purposes as Subdiv. (1) and amending same to change “(11)” to “(6)” and by adding Subdiv. (2) re creating or maintaining public nuisance when offenses enumerated in Subsec. (c) have occurred, amended Subsec. (b) by adding provision re state's right to bring action to abate public nuisance for issuance of 3 or more citations for violation of municipal ordinance as described in Subsec. (c)(14) and by changing “(11)” to “(14)”, and amended Subsec. (c) by adding provision re issuance of 3 or more citations for violation of municipal ordinance as described in Subdiv. (14) to constitute basis for bringing action to abate public nuisance, by deleting former Subdiv. (6) re violations under Sec. 53a-179a and redesignating existing Subdiv. (7) as Subdiv. (6), by adding new Subdiv. (7) re injury to persons or property under Sec. 53a-179a, by adding “or 53a-61” in Subdiv. (9), and by adding Subdiv. (12) re firearm offenses, Subdiv. (13) re illegal manufacture, sale, possession or dispensing of a drug and Subdiv. (14) re violation of municipal ordinance resulting in issuance of citation; P.A. 17-80 amended Subsec. (c)(11) by deleting reference to Secs. 29-320, 29-329 and 29-337, effective July 1, 2017; P.A. 17-87 amended Subsecs. (a) and (b) by making technical changes, and amended Subsec. (c)(5) by adding provision re sale or delivery of alcoholic liquor to any minor; P.A. 21-121 amended Subsec. (c)(11) by adding reference to Secs. 29-291a and 29-291c; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 21-1 amended Subsec. (c)(4) by adding reference to Sec. 21a-278b, effective July 1, 2021.

Sec. 19a-343a. Commencement of action to abate public nuisance. Temporary ex parte order. Hearing. Defendants. Financial institutions. Affirmative defense. (a) The Chief State's Attorney or a deputy chief state's attorney, state's attorney or assistant or deputy assistant state's attorney desiring to commence an action to abate a public nuisance shall attach his proposed unsigned writ, summons and complaint to the following documents:

(1) An application directed to the Superior Court to which the action is made returnable, for the remedies requested to abate the public nuisance; and

(2) An affidavit sworn to by the state or any competent affiant setting forth a statement of facts showing by probable cause the existence of a public nuisance upon the real property or any portion thereof.

(b) The court, or if the court is not in session, any judge of the Superior Court, may order that a show cause hearing be held before the court or a judge thereof to determine whether or not the temporary relief requested should be granted and the court shall direct the state to give notice to any defendant of the pendency of the application and of the time when it will be heard by causing a true and attested copy of the application, the proposed unsigned writ, summons, complaint, affidavit and of its order to be served upon the defendant by some proper officer or indifferent person. Such hearing shall be scheduled within ten days after service is effected by the state.

(c) If in the application, the state requests the issuance of a temporary ex parte order for the abatement of a public nuisance, the court, or if the court is not in session, any judge of the Superior Court, may grant a temporary ex parte order to abate the public nuisance. The court or judge shall direct the state to give notice and service of such documents, including a copy of the ex parte order, in accordance with subsection (b) of this section. At such hearing, any defendant may show cause why the abatement order shall be modified or vacated. No such ex parte order may be granted unless it appears from the specific facts shown by affidavit and by complaint that there is probable cause to believe that a public nuisance exists and the temporary relief requested is necessary to protect the public health, welfare or safety. Such show cause hearing shall be scheduled within five business days after service is effected by the state. The affidavit may be ordered sealed by the court or judge upon a finding that the state's interest in nondisclosure substantially outweighs the defendant's right to disclosure. A copy of the state's application and the temporary order to cease and desist shall be posted on any outside door to any building on the real property.

(d) Such a public nuisance proceeding shall be deemed a civil action and venue shall lie in the superior court for the judicial district within which the real property alleged to constitute a public nuisance is located. Service of process shall be made in accordance with chapter 896. In addition, service of process may be made by an inspector of the Division of Criminal Justice or sworn member of a local police department or the Division of State Police.

(e) At the show cause hearing, the court shall determine whether there is probable cause to believe that a public nuisance exists, and that the circumstances demand the temporary relief requested be ordered, or the temporary ex parte order be continued during the pendency of the public nuisance proceeding. The court may, upon motion by the state or any defendant, enter such orders as justice requires. The court shall schedule the evidentiary hearing within ninety days from the show cause hearing.

(f) The record owner of the real property, any person claiming an interest of record pursuant to a bona fide mortgage, assignment of lease or rent, lien or security in the property and any lessee or tenant whose conduct is alleged to have contributed to the public nuisance shall be made a defendant to the action, except that the state shall exempt as a defendant any owner, lienholder, assignee, lessee, tenant or resident who cooperates with the state in making bona fide efforts to abate the nuisance or any tenant or resident who has been factually uninvolved in the conduct contributing to such public nuisance. If the state exempts as a defendant any record owner or any person claiming an interest of record pursuant to a mortgage, assignment of lease or rent, lien or security in the property, notice of the commencement of a nuisance proceeding shall be given by certified mail, return receipt requested, with a copy of such summons and complaint and a notice of exemption and right to be added as a party to any such person at his usual place of abode or business. Any such exempted person may, at his option, enter an appearance and participate in the nuisance proceeding to protect his property rights. Notice of the commencement of such a public nuisance proceeding shall be given by certified mail to the highest elected official of the municipality in which the real property is located.

(g) If the defendant is a financial institution and the record owner of the real property, or if the defendant is a financial institution claiming an interest of record pursuant to a bona fide mortgage, assignment of lease or rent, lien or security in the real property and is not determined to be a principal or an accomplice in the conduct constituting the public nuisance, the court shall not enter any order against such defendant. The state shall have the burden of proving by a preponderance of the evidence that any such defendant claiming an interest of record under this subsection is a principal or an accomplice in the alleged conduct constituting the public nuisance. Any such defendant may offer evidence by way of an affirmative defense that such defendant has taken reasonable steps to abate the public nuisance, but has been unable to abate the nuisance. Any affirmative defense offered by such defendant shall be proven by a preponderance of the evidence. For the purposes of this subsection, “financial institution” means a bank, as defined in section 36a-2, an out-of-state bank, as defined in section 36a-2, an institutional lender or any subsidiary or affiliate of such bank, out-of-state bank or institutional lender that directly or indirectly acquires the real property pursuant to strict foreclosure, foreclosure by sale or deed-in-lieu of foreclosure, and with the intent of ultimately transferring the property, or other lender licensed by the Department of Banking.

(h) For any defendant who fails to appear, the court may enter a default following an evidentiary showing by the state in support of the relief requested, which shall include affidavits or the testimony of witnesses. When the court enters a judgment upon default, the court may enter such orders as appear reasonably necessary to abate the public nuisance.

(i) At the evidentiary hearing upon the public nuisance complaint, the state shall have the burden of proving, by a preponderance of the evidence, the existence of a public nuisance upon the real property as provided in section 19a-343. If the state establishes by a preponderance of the evidence that there have been three or more arrests, the issuance of three or more arrest warrants indicating a pattern of criminal activity and not isolated incidents or the issuance of three or more citations for a violation of a municipal ordinance as described in subdivision (14) of subsection (c) of section 19a-343, for conduct on the real property or any portion thereof documented by a law enforcement officer for any of the offenses enumerated in subdivisions (1) to (14), inclusive, of subsection (c) of section 19a-343, within the three hundred sixty-five days preceding commencement of the action, such evidence shall create a rebuttable presumption of the existence of a public nuisance. Any defendant may offer evidence by way of an affirmative defense that such defendant has taken reasonable steps to abate the public nuisance, but has been unable to abate the nuisance.

(P.A. 98-220, S. 2, 10; P.A. 99-115, S. 2, 3; P.A. 02-73, S. 85; P.A. 03-231, S. 8; 03-278, S. 73; P.A. 04-136, S. 39; 04-257, S. 38; P.A. 08-176, S. 68; P.A. 13-174, S. 3.)

History: P.A. 98-220 effective July 1, 1998; P.A. 99-115 amended Subsec. (c) by deleting “verified” before “complaint” and amended Subsec. (i) by adding “or the issuance of three or more arrest warrants indicating a pattern of criminal activity and not isolated incidents” and adding references to Subdivs. (8), (9) and (10) of Sec. 19a-343(c), effective July 1, 1999; P.A. 02-73 amended Subsec. (g) by changing a reference to an out-of-state bank from Subdiv. (41) to Subdiv. (43) of Sec. 36a-2; P.A. 03-231 made technical changes in Subsec. (i), effective July 9, 2003; P.A. 03-278 made technical changes in Subsec. (g), effective July 9, 2003; P.A. 04-136 amended Subsec. (g) to make a technical change, effective May 12, 2004; P.A. 04-257 made technical changes in Subsec. (i), effective June 14, 2004; P.A. 08-176 made technical changes in Subsec. (g), effective July 1, 2008; P.A. 13-174 amended Subsec. (d) by making a technical change, amended Subsec. (g) by substituting “a preponderance of the evidence” for “clear and convincing evidence” re state's burden in proving that a financial institution is a principal or accomplice in the alleged conduct constituting the public nuisance and by adding provisions re financial institution may offer affirmative defense that it has taken reasonable steps to abate the public nuisance, to be proven by a preponderance of the evidence, and amended Subsec. (i) by substituting “a preponderance of the evidence” for “clear and convincing evidence” re state's burden of proof in proving existence of a public nuisance, adding provision re state may prove existence of public nuisance by presenting evidence of issuance of 3 or more citations for violation of municipal ordinance as described in Sec. 19a-343(c)(14) and by making a technical change.

Sec. 19a-343b. Remedies and relief necessary to abate public nuisance. In any proceeding to abate a public nuisance, the state may request such remedies or relief as are reasonably necessary to abate the nuisance including, but not limited to, orders for repair or alteration to the real property or any portion thereof, temporary orders to cease and desist, orders to cease and desist or appointment of a receiver of rents. In any such action, the court may enter any orders necessary and proper to abate the nuisance.

(P.A. 98-220, S. 3, 10.)

History: P.A. 98-220 effective July 1, 1998.

Sec. 19a-343c. Intentional violation of temporary order. Penalty. Any person who intentionally violates a temporary order issued pursuant to sections 19a-343 to 19a-343h, inclusive, may be fined not more than one hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than six months, or both, in addition to any other remedy provided by law.

(P.A. 98-220, S. 4, 10.)

History: P.A. 98-220 effective July 1, 1998.

Sec. 19a-343d. Appointment of receiver. Powers and duties. Accounts. Removal by court. Final accounting. Liability of receiver. (a) The court may, upon application of the state, appoint a receiver to operate and manage the property or any portion thereof in accordance with the provisions of this section during the pendency of the public nuisance proceeding and shall include such powers and duties as the court may direct.

(b) The receiver shall with all reasonable speed, remove the delinquent matters and deficiencies in the property or any portion thereof constituting a serious fire hazard or a serious threat to life, health or safety. During the term of the receivership, the receiver shall repair and maintain the property or any portion thereof in a safe and healthful condition. The receiver shall have the power to let contracts therefor in accordance with the provisions of local laws, ordinances, rules and regulations. Notwithstanding any such laws, ordinances, rules or regulations, the receiver may let contracts or incur expenses for individual items of repairs, improvements or supplies without advertisement or the procurement of competitive bids where the total amount of any such individual item does not exceed five hundred dollars or where there exists a condition which constitutes an imminent and substantial danger to life, health or safety, but in such event the receiver shall endeavor to obtain contracts on the most advantageous terms.

(c) The receiver shall collect the accrued and accruing rents, issues and profits of the property or any portion thereof and apply the same to the cost of removing or remedying such nuisance, to the payment of expenses reasonably necessary to the proper operation and management of the property, including insurance and the fees of the managing agent, if any, and to unpaid taxes, assessments, water rents and sewer rents and penalties and interest thereon.

(d) Any excess of income of the property in the hands of the receiver shall be applied to the necessary expenses in regard to such property of his office as receiver and then to sums due to mortgagees or lienors.

(e) The receiver shall have the power to bring a summary process action pursuant to the provisions of chapter 832 against any tenant or occupant of the property.

(f) Following appointment, the receiver shall keep complete written records, including records of all receivership funds on deposit and records itemizing all receipts and expenditures.

(g) The receiver's accounts shall be open to inspection by any defendant having an ownership interest in the real property, the state, the court or any defendant with a record interest in the leases or rents.

(h) Upon motion by any defendant having an interest in the real property or the state, or upon its own motion, the court may direct the receiver to render a periodic accounting to the court.

(i) A receiver shall act until removed by the court. Upon the termination of the receivership, the receiver shall render to the court a final accounting of all funds pertaining to the real property on deposit, as well as records of receipts and expenditures. The receiver shall deliver ledgers, records and the receiver's files and notes pertaining to any litigation or claim arising out of management of the real property to any person designated by the court.

(j) A receiver appointed pursuant to this section shall not be liable in his capacity as receiver to any person except for intentional or wilful misconduct.

(P.A. 98-220, S. 5, 10.)

History: P.A. 98-220 effective July 1, 1998.

Sec. 19a-343e. Court orders re abatement of public nuisance. Jurisdiction. State shall post copy order and notice re penalty for removal or destruction of order. Modification or vacation of order. Bond. Application to close property. Order. (a) If the court finds by clear and convincing evidence that a public nuisance exists, the court may enter such orders as justice requires to abate the public nuisance, including but not limited to, an order to close the real property or any portion thereof. The court shall retain jurisdiction over the case until it appears that the nuisance no longer exists. The state shall post a copy of any court order to close the real property or any portion thereof on any outside door of the premises. The order shall include a notice that any person who removes, mutilates or defaces the closing order may be punished, upon conviction, by a fine not to exceed two hundred fifty dollars or by imprisonment of fifteen days, or both.

(b) At any time after entry of an order, any defendant may apply to the court to have any order vacated or modified for good cause. Prior to any decision on a defendant's application to vacate or modify an order, the state shall be afforded a reasonable opportunity to inspect the real property or any portion thereof to verify that the public nuisance has been abated, and the court shall provide the state with an opportunity to be heard to contest the defendant's application.

(c) Where the court vacates or modifies any order, it may condition its decision on the posting of a bond in an amount not to exceed the current fair market value of the real property, as stated in an independent appraisal by a certified real estate appraiser, as surety against recurrence of the public nuisance.

(d) Where the court finds that real property or any portion thereof constitutes a public nuisance and enters a final judgment, the state shall record a copy of such judgment and any orders on the land records in the town in which such real property is located. At any time after the entry of judgment, any defendant may apply to the court to modify or vacate any order, including the reduction of the amount of, or release of liability for any bond required pursuant to this section. The court may grant such application for good cause shown, which may include, but not be limited to, a showing by such defendant by clear and convincing evidence that: (1) All court orders have been complied with, that any named persons have ceased any conduct constituting a public nuisance upon the real property or any portion thereof and that the nuisance has abated; (2) the defendant wishes to refinance or sell the real property to an identified bona fide purchaser for value whose proposed use for the real property will not constitute a public nuisance; or (3) the defendant has demolished or razed any buildings, structures or features upon the real property capable of supporting a public nuisance. Prior to any decision on a defendant's application to vacate or modify a final order or release a lien, the state shall be afforded a reasonable opportunity to inspect the real property or any portion thereof. Any modification to any order shall be recorded on the land records in the town in which such real property is located.

(e) Where the state applies for an order to close the real property or any portion thereof, the court shall take into consideration the rights of all interested parties and shall limit the scope of a closing order to minimize dispossession or dislocation of tenants or residents who have been factually uninvolved in the conduct contributing to the public nuisance, unless closure of the property is necessary to protect public health, safety or welfare.

(P.A. 98-220, S. 6, 10; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 98-1, S. 97, 121.)

History: P.A. 98-220 effective July 1, 1998; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 98-1 made a technical change in Subsec. (e), effective July 1, 1998.

Sec. 19a-343f. Dispossession or dislocation of tenants. Imposition of costs of prosecution and repairs upon defendant. Authorization by state to make repairs and alterations. Judgment lien against defendant. Intentional violation of court order. (a) In any case where dispossession or dislocation of tenants or residents who have been factually uninvolved with the conduct contributing to such public nuisance is necessary to abate the public nuisance, the court may impose the reasonable costs of relocating such tenants or residents upon any defendant determined by the court to be liable for the public nuisance.

(b) In any public nuisance proceeding, the court may impose the reasonable costs of investigation, prosecution and any extraordinary expenses incurred in abating the public nuisance upon any defendant determined by the court to be liable for the public nuisance. In any public nuisance proceeding, the court may award to the state or any municipality the reasonable costs of investigation, prosecution and any extraordinary expenses incurred in abating the public nuisance. The state or municipality shall submit an affidavit and such other documents as the court directs in support of a request for award of costs.

(c) The court may authorize the state or its agents to make any repairs or alterations to the real property or any portion thereof to bring it into compliance with applicable state and local building, fire, health, housing or similar codes. The court may impose the actual costs of any repairs or alterations upon any defendant determined by the court to be liable for the public nuisance. The court shall award the state the actual costs of any such repairs or alterations.

(d) In any public nuisance proceeding, any monetary penalty imposed by the court on a defendant with an ownership interest in the real property and any award of costs to the state shall constitute a judgment lien on the real property, and shall be recorded as such on the land records in the town where the property is located. In addition, the state may, at its election, pursue any remedy under chapter 906.

(e) If any defendant in a public nuisance proceeding subject to a court order to abate the nuisance intentionally violates any such court order entered in judgment in a public nuisance proceeding under sections 19a-343 to 19a-343h, inclusive, the court may impose a civil penalty of not more than one thousand dollars for each day the public nuisance is found to have existed after such order. Upon recovery, such penalty shall be deposited in the General Fund.

(f) Any person who was not a defendant in a public nuisance action who intentionally violates any court order entered in judgment in a public nuisance proceeding, may be fined not more than one hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than six months or both.

(P.A. 98-220, S. 7, 10.)

History: P.A. 98-220 effective July 1, 1998.

Sec. 19a-343g. Enforcement of court orders by inspectors of Division of Criminal Justice or state or municipal police officer. Indemnification of municipality for liabilities of municipal police officer deemed employee of state. (a) The state may use an inspector of the Division of Criminal Justice or a state or municipal police officer to assist in the enforcement of any court order in a public nuisance proceeding. Where a municipal police officer acts at the direction of a prosecutor, the state shall first obtain the permission of the municipal chief of police. Where a municipal police officer acts at the direction of a prosecutor or pursuant to a court order in a public nuisance matter, the officer and the municipality shall be indemnified against any losses, damages or liabilities arising within the scope of such duties, and the police officer shall be deemed an employee of the state for purposes of indemnification.

(b) In any public nuisance proceeding, an order by the court closing the real property or any portion thereof shall not be deemed to pass dominion, title, possession or control over the real property to the state.

(P.A. 98-220, S. 8, 10.)

History: P.A. 98-220 effective July 1, 1998.

Sec. 19a-343h. Availability of other remedies not bar to action to abate public nuisance. Availability to the state of other remedies at law or equity shall not prevent the granting of relief under sections 19a-343 to 19a-343h, inclusive.

(P.A. 98-220, S. 9, 10.)

History: P.A. 98-220 effective July 1, 1998.

Sec. 19a-344. Reserved for future use.