(a) Any person may be compelled by subpoena signed by competent authority to appear before the State-Wide Grievance Committee, a subcommittee of said State-Wide Grievance Committee or a grievance panel to testify in relation to any matter deemed by the committee, subcommittee or panel to be relevant to any inquiry or investigation by it, and to produce before such committee, subcommittee or panel, for examination, any books or papers which, in its judgment, may be relevant to the inquiry or investigation.

(b) The committee, subcommittee or panel, while engaged in the discharge of its duties, shall have the same authority over witnesses as is provided in § 51-35 and may commit for contempt for a period no longer than thirty days.