(a) No action may be brought in accordance with § 46a-100 unless the complainant has received a release from the commission in accordance with the provisions of this section.

Terms Used In Connecticut General Statutes 46a-101

  • Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
  • Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.

(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 case assessment review in accordance with subsection (c) of § 46a-83, whichever is earlier. The executive director or the executive director’s designee shall conduct an expedited case assessment review in accordance with subsection (c) of § 46a-83 if the commission receives a request for a release of jurisdiction from the complainant 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, not later than ten business days after the date of 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 the executive director’s designee, certifies that there is 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 § 46a-100 shall be brought not later than ninety days after the date of the receipt of the release from the commission.