(a)(1) The Governor shall appoint three human rights referees for terms commencing October 1, 1998, and four human rights referees for terms commencing January 1, 1999. The human rights referees so appointed shall serve for a term of one year.

Terms Used In Connecticut General Statutes 46a-57

  • Advice and consent: Under the Constitution, presidential nominations for executive and judicial posts take effect only when confirmed by the Senate, and international treaties become effective only when the Senate approves them by a two-thirds vote.
  • another: may extend and be applied to communities, companies, corporations, public or private, limited liability companies, societies and associations. See Connecticut General Statutes 1-1
  • Deposition: An oral statement made before an officer authorized by law to administer oaths. Such statements are often taken to examine potential witnesses, to obtain discovery, or to be used later in trial.
  • Presiding officer: A majority-party Senator who presides over the Senate and is charged with maintaining order and decorum, recognizing Members to speak, and interpreting the Senate's rules, practices and precedents.
  • Settlement: Parties to a lawsuit resolve their difference without having a trial. Settlements often involve the payment of compensation by one party in satisfaction of the other party's claims.
  • Subpoena: A command to a witness to appear and give testimony.
  • Testimony: Evidence presented orally by witnesses during trials or before grand juries.
  • Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.

(2) (A) On and after October 1, 1999, the Governor shall appoint seven human rights referees with the advice and consent of both houses of the General Assembly. The Governor shall appoint three human rights referees to serve for a term of two years commencing October 1, 1999. The Governor shall appoint four human rights referees to serve for a term of three years commencing January 1, 2000. Thereafter, human rights referees shall serve for a term of three years.

(B) On and after July 1, 2001, there shall be five human rights referees. Each of the human rights referees serving on July 1, 2001, shall complete the term to which such referee was appointed. Thereafter, human rights referees shall be appointed by the Governor, with the advice and consent of both houses of the General Assembly, to serve for a term of three years.

(C) On and after July 1, 2004, there shall be seven human rights referees. Each of the human rights referees serving on July 1, 2004, shall complete the term to which such referee was appointed and shall serve until his successor is appointed and qualified. Thereafter, human rights referees shall be appointed by the Governor, with the advice and consent of both houses of the General Assembly, to serve for a term of three years.

(D) On and after October 5, 2009, and until July 1, 2011, there shall be five human rights referees. Each of the human rights referees serving on October 5, 2009, shall serve until the term to which such referee was appointed is completed, or until July 1, 2011, whichever is earlier, and shall serve until a successor is appointed and qualified. In the case of a vacancy, a successor shall be appointed by the Governor, with the advice and consent of both houses of the General Assembly, to serve until July 1, 2011.

(E) On and after July 1, 2011, there shall be three human rights referees who shall (i) be appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of both houses of the General Assembly, and (ii) serve for a term of three years.

(3) When the General Assembly is not in session, any vacancy shall be filled pursuant to the provisions of § 4-19. The Governor may remove any human rights referee for cause.

(b) Human rights referees shall serve full-time and shall conduct the settlement negotiations and hearings authorized by the provisions of this chapter. A human rights referee shall have the powers granted to hearing officers and presiding officers by chapter 54 and this chapter. A human rights referee shall be an attorney admitted to the practice of law in this state. Any commissioner of the Superior Court who is able and willing to hear discriminatory practice complaints may submit his or her name to the Governor for consideration for appointment as a human rights referee. No human rights referee shall appear before the commission or another hearing officer for one year after leaving office.

(c) On or after October 1, 1998, the executive director shall designate one human rights referee to serve as Chief Human Rights Referee for a term of one year. The Chief Human Rights Referee, in consultation with the executive director, shall supervise and assign the human rights referees to conduct settlement negotiations and hearings on complaints, including complaints for which a trial on the merits has not commenced prior to October 1, 1998, on a rotating basis. The commission, in consultation with the executive director and Chief Human Rights Referee, shall adopt regulations and rules of practice, in accordance with chapter 54, to ensure consistent procedures governing contested case proceedings.

(d) When serving as a presiding officer as provided in § 46a-84, each human rights referee shall have the same subpoena powers as are granted to commissioners by subdivision (9) of § 46a-54. Each presiding officer shall also have the power to determine a reasonable fee to be paid to an expert witness called by the commission to give expert testimony in person or by deposition pursuant to § 46a-84. Such fee shall be paid to the expert witness in lieu of all other witness fees.

  Previous section
Next section  
 Chapter 814c Contents