You asked for questions for nominees for the position of human rights referees for the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities (CHRO). Under current law, human rights referees conduct hearings to determine whether discrimination has occurred and to determines appropriate remedies if it has occurred.

1. What background do you have in civil rights or other areas that make you qualified to become a human rights referee?

2. What challenges do you expect to face in your role as referee?

3. What types of remedies are available to victims of discrimination? How should a referee determine and calculate damages?

4. Should referees treat CHRO the same as everyone else or should they give CHRO preferential treatment in any way?

5. How much control, influence, or authority should CHRO have over referees?

6. What are your views on affirmative action?

7. Is there tension between affirmative action and the laws prohibiting discrimination? If so, how is this tension reconciled?

8. In what ways have recent referee decisions shaped civil rights law in Connecticut?

9. Should our employment discrimination law require employers to make special accommodations because of an employee’s or applicant’s physical or mental disibility?