Section 46a-54-79a - Notice of hearing conference; service; amendment of complaint(a) Upon certification of the complaint, the chief human rights referee shall appoint a human rights referee to act as a presiding officer and shall further issue a notice of hearing conference which shall be served in accordance with section 46a-54-18 a of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies upon all parties, together with a copy of the certified complaint and any amendment thereto. The notice shall include: (1) A statement of the time and place of the hearing conference;(2) A statement of the legal authority and jurisdiction under which the hearing is to be held;(3) A reference to the particular sections of the statutes and regulations involved;(4) A short and plain statement of the matters asserted;(5) A statement informing the respondent that a written answer to the complaint shall be filed within fifteen (15) days or such other time as may be established in the notice;(6) The address at which all original papers concerning the contested case proceeding shall be filed; and(7) The address and telephone number of the office of public hearings, which shall ensure that the special needs of a party or witness are addressed through reasonable accommodation of such person's needs, as required by law. In cases involving confidential HIV-related or sexual assault information, any complaint or notice of hearing conference served pursuant to this section shall conform to the intent of section 46a-54-90 a(d) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies.(b) If the commission has amended the complaint pursuant to section 46a-54-40 a of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies prior to the appointment of a presiding officer, the notice referred to in subsection (a) of this section shall also be sent by the attorney for the commission to all persons whose legal rights the attorney for the commission reasonably believes have been adversely affected by the discriminatory practices complained of in the complaint. Any such notice shall comply with the requirements of subsection (a) of this section and shall also contain the notice requirements set forth in section 46a-54-84 a(c) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies. Any person receiving such notice shall proceed in accordance with section 46a-54-84 a(d) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies.(c) Upon commencement of the contested case proceeding, the presiding officer may, on his or her own or upon motion by a party, consolidate two or more complaints and issue appropriate orders relating thereto.(d) Not later than forty-five (45) days after the certification of the complaint, the presiding officer shall conduct a hearing conference in accordance with section 46a-54-80 a of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies.(e) Any complaint filed pursuant to section 46a-82 of the Connecticut General Statutes may, upon motion by the complainant or the commission, be amended after the appointment of a presiding officer. Complaint amendments may include, but are not limited to, matters arising out of the investigation or evidence adduced at hearing. The presiding officer shall permit reasonable amendment of any complaint and shall allow the parties and intervenors sufficient time to prepare their case in light of the amendment. If the complainant dies, the complaint may be amended to allow a legal representative of the complainant's estate or the commission to pursue the complaint.Conn. Agencies Regs. § 46a-54-79a
Adopted effective November 4, 2002