Legislative Program Review and Investigations Committee
Commission
on Human Rights and Opportunities
Introduction
Introduction
With origins dating back to 1943, the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities (CHRO) is the state agency authorized to enforce civil rights laws in Connecticut. Its primary function is to enforce state laws prohibiting discrimination in employment, housing, credit, and public accommodations. The agency investigates discrimination complaints and attempts to correct any violation it finds through conciliation, public hearing, or court action, if necessary. It also enforces laws regarding state agency affirmative action and contract compliance.
In March 1999, the Legislative Program Review and Investigations Committee authorized a study of the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities. The scope of the study approved by the committee called for an examination of the mission, policies, structure, and management of the commission related to the handling of illegal discrimination complaints. The scope excluded the contract compliance and state agency affirmative action plan responsibilities of the commission.
The study was prompted in part by turmoil at the commission in recent years, evidenced by: several discrimination lawsuits filed by CHRO employees against other CHRO employees and managers; controversial actions on the part of the former executive director, who held the position from 1991 to July 1998; and turnover among CHRO commission members.
In preparing this report, the committee reviewed applicable statutes, agency policy, procedures, and general literature dealing with CHRO. The committee also interviewed agency staff and several individuals associated or having contact with the agency, including representatives of interest groups, current and former commissioners, and former CHRO employees. The committee conducted a focus group of attorneys representing both complainants and respondents to elicit opinions and comments about their experience with the agency. CHRO automated case tracking file data were used to analyze complaint timeframes and outcomes. A random sample of case records based on the agency automated tracking system was also examined in more depth.
The committee held a public hearing regarding CHRO on October 19, 1999. In addition, the committee reviewed a 1999 consultant report commissioned by CHRO to assess the agency's organizational structure and suggest ways to improve operations. Commission staff assigned to the field enforcement units were surveyed and offered a chance to relate in confidence their views in issues affecting the agency's operation. Aggregate responses to the survey are presented in Appendix A and material pertinent to areas under review are used throughout the report. Finally, the committee gathered information on how human rights agencies are organized and operate around the country.
This report is divided into five chapters. Chapter I provides historical background on the policy and development of civil rights law and gives a brief summary of existing federal and state laws related to discrimination. An overview of CHRO’s organizational structure and changes in expenditures and staffing over time is described in Chapter II. Chapter III discusses significant selected events affecting the commission’s operation over the last eleven years. Chapter IV gives a detailed description of the CHRO discrimination complaint process and other activities related to complaint resolution. Chapter V presents the committee's findings and recommendations regarding the commission structure, the enforcement process, and agency management.
Agency Response
It is the policy of the Legislative Program Review and Investigations Committee to provide state agencies subject to a study with an opportunity to review and comment on the recommendations prior to the publication of the final report. A response from the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities is contained in Appendix E.