Topic:
APPOINTMENT TO OFFICE; EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE NOMS. COMMITTEE; HUMAN RIGHTS AND OPPORTUNITIES COMMISSION; LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEES; STATE BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS; STATE OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES;
Location:
EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE;

OLR Research Report


May 20, 2005

  

2005-R-0499

COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND OPPORTUNITIES—NOMINEES

By: George Coppolo, Chief Attorney

You asked for questions for a nominee for the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities (CHRO). (The governor has indicated her intention to appoint this nominee as chairperson. )

Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities (CGS § 46a-52)

• The commission consists of nine members. The governor appoints five and legislative leaders appoint four (president pro tempore and minority leader of the Senate and the speaker and minority leader of the House each appoint one. )

• Governor’s nominees serve five-year terms; other members serve three-year terms.

• Commission oversees state agency that enforces anti-discrimination laws.

Questions for the Nominee

1. What is CHRO’s primary mission?

2. Is CHRO primarily a law enforcement agency or is it predominantly a civil rights advocacy agency?

3. What recommendations do you have for making the enforcement of civil rights laws more effective and efficient?

4. Is CHRO’s staff size sufficient to handle the volume of cases it receives in a timely fashion?

5. What role, if any, should a commissioner play in ensuring that CHRO investigates complaints in a timely fashion?

6. How long should it take, on average, to complete an investigation? Do you know how long it takes currently to complete an investigation now?

7. How much power and influence should CHRO commissioners exercise over CHRO’s day-to-day operations?

8. What are your views on affirmative action?

9. Is there any tension between affirmative action and the laws prohibiting employers and others from discriminating against people?

10. What role should affirmative action play in enforcing discrimination laws relating to employment, housing, public accommodations, credit practices, and state services and programs?

11. Under current law, human rights referees conduct hearings to determine whether discrimination has occurred and decide remedies if they conclude it has occurred. How much control, influence, or authority should the commission have over referees?

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

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

14. Should our discrimination law protect someone who is discriminated against because an employer believes he is disabled even if the person is not actually disabled?

GC: ts