Bill Text: CT SB00455 | 2012 | General Assembly | Comm Sub

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Bill Title: An Act Concerning The Commission On Human Rights And Opportunities.

Spectrum: Committee Bill

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2012-04-25 - Referred by Senate to Committee on Appropriations [SB00455 Detail]

Download: Connecticut-2012-SB00455-Comm_Sub.html

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General Assembly		Raised Bill No. 455
February Session, 2012		LCO No. 2643
		*_____SB00455JUD___040212____*
Referred to Committee on Judiciary
Introduced by:
(JUD)

AN ACT CONCERNING THE COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND OPPORTUNITIES.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:

Section 1. Subdivision (2) of subsection (d) of section 4-61dd of the 2012 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2012):

(2) (A) Not later than ninety days after learning of the specific incident giving rise to a claim that a personnel action has been threatened or has occurred in violation of subdivision (1) of this subsection, a state or quasi-public agency employee, an employee of a large state contractor or the employee's attorney may file a complaint against the state agency, quasi-public agency, large state contractor or appointing authority concerning such personnel action with the Chief Human Rights Referee designated under section 46a-57. Upon receipt of such complaint, the Chief Human Rights Referee shall cause a copy of the complaint to be hand-delivered or mailed to the supervising attorney of the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities. Such complaint may be amended if an additional incident giving rise to a claim under this subdivision occurs subsequent to the filing of the original complaint. The Chief Human Rights Referee shall assign the complaint to a human rights referee appointed under section 46a-57, who shall conduct a hearing and issue a decision concerning whether the officer or employee taking or threatening to take the personnel action violated any provision of this section. The human rights referee may order a state agency or quasi-public agency to produce (i) an employee of such agency or quasi-public agency to testify as a witness in any proceeding under this subdivision, or (ii) books, papers or other documents relevant to the complaint, without issuing a subpoena. If such agency or quasi-public agency fails to produce such witness, books, papers or documents, not later than thirty days after such order, the human rights referee may consider such failure as supporting evidence for the complainant. If, after the hearing, the human rights referee finds a violation, the referee may award the aggrieved employee reinstatement to the employee's former position, back pay and reestablishment of any employee benefits for which the employee would otherwise have been eligible if such violation had not occurred, reasonable attorneys' fees, and any other damages. For the purposes of this subsection, such human rights referee shall act as an independent hearing officer. The decision of a human rights referee under this subsection may be appealed by any person who was a party at such hearing or by the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities, in accordance with the provisions of section 4-183.

(B) The Chief Human Rights Referee shall adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, establishing the procedure for filing complaints and noticing and conducting hearings under subparagraph (A) of this subdivision.

Sec. 2. Subdivision (4) of section 46a-51 of the 2012 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2012):

(4) "Commissioner" means [a] an appointed member of the commission;

Sec. 3. Section 46a-52 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2012):

(a) The commission shall consist of [nine persons] a nine-member governing board. On and after October 1, 2000, such [persons] members shall be appointed with the advice and consent of both houses of the General Assembly. (1) On or before July 15, 1990, the Governor shall appoint five members of the commission, three of whom shall serve for terms of five years and two of whom shall serve for terms of three years. Upon the expiration of such terms, and thereafter, the Governor shall appoint either two or three members, as appropriate, to serve for terms of five years. On or before July 14, 1990, the president pro tempore of the Senate, the minority leader of the Senate, the speaker of the House of Representatives and the minority leader of the House of Representatives shall each appoint one member to serve for a term of three years. Upon the expiration of such terms, and thereafter, members so appointed shall serve for terms of three years. (2) If any vacancy occurs, the appointing authority making the initial appointment shall appoint a [person] member to serve for the remainder of the unexpired term. The Governor shall select one of the members of the commission to serve as chairperson for a term of one year. The commission shall meet at least once during each two-month period and at such other times as the chairperson deems necessary. Special meetings shall be held on the request of a majority of the members of the commission after notice in accordance with the provisions of section 1-225.

(b) Except as provided in section 46a-57, the members of the commission shall serve without pay, but their reasonable expenses, including educational training expenses and expenses for necessary stenographic and clerical help, shall be paid by the state upon approval of the Commissioner of Administrative Services. Not later than two months after appointment to the commission, each member of the commission shall receive a minimum of [ten] five hours of introductory training prior to voting on any commission matter. Each year following such introductory training, each member shall receive [five] three hours of follow-up training. Such introductory and follow-up training shall consist of instruction on the laws governing discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodation and credit, affirmative action and the procedures of the commission. Such training shall be organized by the managing director of the legal division of the commission. Any member who fails to complete such training shall not vote on any commission matter. Any member who fails to comply with such introductory training requirement within six months of appointment shall be deemed to have resigned from office. Any member who fails to attend three consecutive meetings or who fails to attend fifty per cent of all meetings held during any calendar year shall be deemed to have resigned from office.

(c) On or before July 15, 1989, the [commission] commissioners shall appoint an executive director who shall be the chief executive officer of the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities to serve for a term expiring on July 14, 1990. Upon the expiration of such term and thereafter, the executive director shall be appointed for a term of four years. The executive director shall be supervised and annually evaluated by the [commission] commissioners. The executive director shall serve at the pleasure of the [commission] commissioners but no longer than four years from July fifteenth in the year of his or her appointment unless reappointed pursuant to the provisions of this subsection. The executive director shall receive an annual salary within the salary range of a salary group established by the Commissioner of Administrative Services for the position. The executive director (1) shall conduct comprehensive planning with respect to the functions of the commission; (2) shall coordinate the activities of the commission; and (3) shall cause the administrative organization of the commission to be examined with a view to promoting economy and efficiency. In accordance with established procedures, the executive director may enter into such contractual agreements as may be necessary for the discharge of the director's duties.

(d) The executive director may appoint no more than two deputy directors with the approval of a majority of the members of the commission. The deputy directors shall be supervised by the executive director and shall assist the executive director in the administration of the commission, the effectuation of its statutory responsibilities and such other duties as may be assigned by the executive director. Deputy directors shall serve at the pleasure of the executive director and without tenure. The executive director may remove a deputy director with the approval of a majority of the members of the commission.

(e) The commission shall be within the Department of Administrative Services for administrative purposes only.

Sec. 4. Section 46a-58 of the 2012 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2012):

(a) It shall be a discriminatory practice in violation of this section for any person to subject, or cause to be subjected, any other person to the deprivation of any rights, privileges or immunities, secured or protected by the Constitution or laws of this state or of the United States, on account of religion, national origin, alienage, color, race, sex, age, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, blindness or physical disability.

(b) Any person who intentionally desecrates any public property, monument or structure, or any religious object, symbol or house of religious worship, or any cemetery, or any private structure not owned by such person, shall be in violation of subsection (a) of this section. For the purposes of this subsection, "desecrate" means to mar, deface or damage as a demonstration of irreverence or contempt.

(c) Any person who places a burning cross or a simulation thereof on any public property, or on any private property without the written consent of the owner, shall be in violation of subsection (a) of this section.

(d) Any person who places a noose or a simulation thereof on any public property, or on any private property without the written consent of the owner, and with intent to intimidate or harass any other person on account of religion, national origin, alienage, color, race, sex, sexual orientation, blindness or physical disability, shall be in violation of subsection (a) of this section.

(e) Any person who violates any provision of this section shall be guilty of a class A misdemeanor, except that if property is damaged as a consequence of such violation in an amount in excess of one thousand dollars, such person shall be guilty of a class D felony.

Sec. 5. Section 46a-89 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2012):

(a) (1) Whenever a complaint is filed with or by the commission pursuant to section 46a-82 alleging a violation of section 46a-60 or 46a-81c, and [a commissioner] the commission believes, upon review and the recommendation of the investigator assigned, that equitable relief is required to prevent irreparable harm to the complainant, the [commissioner] commission may bring a petition in equity in the superior court for the judicial district in which the discriminatory practice which is the subject of the complaint occurred or the judicial district in which the respondent resides, provided this subdivision shall not apply to complaints against employers with less than fifty employees.

(2) The petition shall seek appropriate temporary injunctive relief against the respondent pending final disposition of the complaint pursuant to the procedures set forth in this chapter. The injunctive relief may include an order temporarily restraining the respondent from doing any act that would render ineffectual any order a presiding officer may render with respect to the complaint.

(3) Upon service on the respondent of notice pursuant to section 46a-89a, the respondent shall be temporarily restrained from taking any action that would render ineffectual the temporary injunctive relief prayed for in the petition, provided nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent the respondent from having any employment duties, enjoined under this section and section 46a-89a, from being carried out by another employee and the notice shall so provide.

(b) (1) Whenever a complaint filed pursuant to section 46a-82 alleges a violation of section 46a-64, 46a-64c, 46a-81d or 46a-81e, and [a commissioner] the commission believes that injunctive relief is required or that the imposition of punitive damages or a civil penalty would be appropriate, the commission may bring a petition in the superior court for the judicial district in which the discriminatory practice which is the subject of the complaint occurred or the judicial district in which the respondent resides.

(2) The petition shall seek: (A) Appropriate injunctive relief, including temporary or permanent orders or decrees restraining and enjoining the respondent from selling or renting to anyone other than the complainant or otherwise making unavailable to the complainant any dwelling or commercial property with respect to which the complaint is made, pending the final determination of such complaint by the commission or such petition by the court; (B) an award of damages based on the remedies available under subsection (c) of section 46a-86; (C) an award of punitive damages payable to the complainant, not to exceed fifty thousand dollars; (D) a civil penalty payable to the state against the respondent to vindicate the public interest: (i) In an amount not exceeding ten thousand dollars if the respondent has not been adjudged to have committed any prior discriminatory housing practice; (ii) in an amount not exceeding twenty-five thousand dollars if the respondent has been adjudged to have committed one other discriminatory housing practice during the five-year period prior to the date of the filing of this complaint; and (iii) in an amount not exceeding fifty thousand dollars if the respondent has been adjudged to have committed two or more discriminatory housing practices during the seven-year period prior to the date of the filing of the complaint; except that if the acts constituting the discriminatory housing practice that is the object of the complaint are committed by the same natural person who has been previously adjudged to have committed acts constituting a discriminatory housing practice, then the civil penalties set forth in clauses (ii) and (iii) of this subparagraph may be imposed without regard to the period of time within which any subsequent discriminatory housing practice occurred; or (E) two or more of such remedies.

(3) Upon service on the respondent of notice pursuant to section 46a-89a, the respondent shall be temporarily restrained from selling or renting the dwelling or commercial property which is the subject of the complaint to anyone other than the complainant, or from otherwise making such dwelling or commercial property unavailable to the complainant, until the court or judge has decided the petition for temporary injunctive relief and the notice shall so provide.

Sec. 6. Section 46a-68d of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2012):

In addition to the provisions of section 4a-60, as amended by this act, every public works contract subject to the provisions of part II of chapter 60 shall also be subject to the provisions of this section. After [a bid has been accepted but before] a public works contract is awarded but prior to completion of the acts encompassed by such contract, the successful bidder shall file and have approved by the commission an affirmative action plan. The commission may provide for conditional acceptance of an affirmative action plan provided written assurances are given by the contractor that it will amend its plan to conform to affirmative action requirements. The state shall withhold [two] five per cent of the total contract price [per month from any payment made to such contractor] until such time as the contractor has developed an affirmative action plan, and received the approval of the commission. Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, a contractor subject to the provisions of this section may file a plan in advance of or at the same time as its bid. The commission shall review [plans] a plan submitted pursuant to this section within sixty days of receipt and either approve, approve with conditions or reject such plan. When the commission approves an affirmative action plan pursuant to this section, it shall issue a certificate of compliance to the contractor as provided in section 46a-68c.

Sec. 7. Section 4a-60 of the 2012 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2012):

(a) Every contract to which the state or any political subdivision of the state [other than a municipality] is a party shall contain the following provisions:

(1) The contractor agrees and warrants that in the performance of the contract such contractor will not discriminate or permit discrimination against any person or group of persons on the grounds of race, color, religious creed, age, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender identity or expression, intellectual disability, mental disability or physical disability, including, but not limited to, blindness, unless it is shown by such contractor that such disability prevents performance of the work involved, in any manner prohibited by the laws of the United States or of the state of Connecticut; and the contractor further agrees to take affirmative action to insure that applicants with job-related qualifications are employed and that employees are treated when employed without regard to their race, color, religious creed, age, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender identity or expression, intellectual disability, mental disability or physical disability, including, but not limited to, blindness, unless it is shown by such contractor that such disability prevents performance of the work involved;

(2) The contractor agrees, in all solicitations or advertisements for employees placed by or on behalf of the contractor, to state that it is an "affirmative action-equal opportunity employer" in accordance with regulations adopted by the commission;

(3) The contractor agrees to provide each labor union or representative of workers with which such contractor has a collective bargaining agreement or other contract or understanding and each vendor with which such contractor has a contract or understanding, a notice to be provided by the commission advising the labor union or workers' representative of the contractor's commitments under this section, and to post copies of the notice in conspicuous places available to employees and applicants for employment;

(4) The contractor agrees to comply with each provision of this section and sections 46a-68e and 46a-68f and with each regulation or relevant order issued by said commission pursuant to sections 46a-56, 46a-68e and 46a-68f; and

(5) The contractor agrees to provide the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities with such information requested by the commission, and permit access to pertinent books, records and accounts, concerning the employment practices and procedures of the contractor as relate to the provisions of this section and section 46a-56.

(b) If the contract is a public works contract, the contractor agrees and warrants that he will make good faith efforts to employ minority business enterprises as subcontractors and suppliers of materials on such public works project.

(c) (1) Any contractor who has one or more contracts with the state or a political subdivision of the state that is valued at less than fifty thousand dollars for each year of the contract shall provide the state or such political subdivision of the state with a written or electronic representation that complies with the nondiscrimination agreement and warranty under subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of this section, provided if there is any change in such representation, the contractor shall provide the updated representation to the state or such political subdivision not later than thirty days after such change.

(2) Any contractor who has one or more contracts with the state or a political subdivision of the state that is valued at fifty thousand dollars or more for any year of the contract shall provide the state or such political subdivision of the state with any one of the following:

(A) Documentation in the form of a company or corporate policy adopted by resolution of the board of directors, shareholders, managers, members or other governing body of such contractor that complies with the nondiscrimination agreement and warranty under subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of this section;

(B) Documentation in the form of a company or corporate policy adopted by a prior resolution of the board of directors, shareholders, managers, members or other governing body of such contractor if (i) the prior resolution is certified by a duly authorized corporate officer of such contractor to be in effect on the date the documentation is submitted, and (ii) the head of the agency of the state or such political subdivision, or a designee, certifies that the prior resolution complies with the nondiscrimination agreement and warranty under subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of this section; or

(C) Documentation in the form of an affidavit signed under penalty of false statement by a chief executive officer, president, chairperson or other corporate officer duly authorized to adopt company or corporate policy that certifies that the company or corporate policy of the contractor complies with the nondiscrimination agreement and warranty under subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of this section and is in effect on the date the affidavit is signed.

(3) Neither the state nor any political subdivision shall award a contract to a contractor who has not provided the representation or documentation required under subdivisions (1) and (2) of this subsection, as applicable. After the initial submission of such representation or documentation, the contractor shall not be required to resubmit such representation or documentation unless there is a change in the information contained in such representation or documentation. If there is any change in the information contained in the most recently filed representation or updated documentation, the contractor shall submit an updated representation or documentation, as applicable, either (A) not later than thirty days after the effective date of such change, or (B) upon the execution of a new contract with the state or a political subdivision of the state, whichever is earlier. Such contractor shall also certify, in accordance with subparagraph (B) or (C) of subdivision (2) of this subsection, to the state or political subdivision, not later than fourteen days after the twelve-month anniversary of the most recently filed representation, documentation or updated representation or documentation, that the representation on file with the state or political subdivision is current and accurate.

(d) For the purposes of this section, "contract" includes any extension or modification of the contract, "contractor" includes any successors or assigns of the contractor, "marital status" means being single, married as recognized by the state of Connecticut, widowed, separated or divorced, and "mental disability" means one or more mental disorders, as defined in the most recent edition of the American Psychiatric Association's "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders", or a record of or regarding a person as having one or more such disorders. For the purposes of this section, "contract" does not include a contract where each contractor is (1) a political subdivision of the state, [including, but not limited to, a municipality,] (2) a quasi-public agency, as defined in section 1-120, (3) any other state, as defined in section 1-267, (4) the federal government, (5) a foreign government, or (6) an agency of a subdivision, agency, state or government described in subparagraph (1), (2), (3), (4) or (5) of this subsection.

(e) For the purposes of this section, "minority business enterprise" means any small contractor or supplier of materials fifty-one per cent or more of the capital stock, if any, or assets of which is owned by a person or persons: (1) Who are active in the daily affairs of the enterprise, (2) who have the power to direct the management and policies of the enterprise, and (3) who are members of a minority, as such term is defined in subsection (a) of section 32-9n; and "good faith" means that degree of diligence which a reasonable person would exercise in the performance of legal duties and obligations. "Good faith efforts" shall include, but not be limited to, those reasonable initial efforts necessary to comply with statutory or regulatory requirements and additional or substituted efforts when it is determined that such initial efforts will not be sufficient to comply with such requirements.

(f) Determination of the contractor's good faith efforts shall include but shall not be limited to the following factors: The contractor's employment and subcontracting policies, patterns and practices; affirmative advertising, recruitment and training; technical assistance activities and such other reasonable activities or efforts as the commission may prescribe that are designed to ensure the participation of minority business enterprises in public works projects. Employment and subcontracting practices which demonstrate that a contractor has met or surpassed an awarding authority's set-aside goals shall be evidence of good faith efforts. Failure by a contractor to solicit: (1) Bids from more than two subcontractors, vendors or service providers; (2) subcontractors, vendors or service providers in all project areas; or (3) less than all types of businesses certified by the Department of Administrative Services pursuant to section 4a-60g, as amended by this act, shall not necessarily demonstrate a contractor's lack of good faith efforts.

(g) The contractor shall develop and maintain adequate documentation, in a manner prescribed by the commission, of its good faith efforts.

(h) The contractor shall include the provisions of subsections (a) and (b) of this section in every subcontract or purchase order entered into in order to fulfill any obligation of a contract with the state and such provisions shall be binding on a subcontractor, vendor or manufacturer unless exempted by regulations or orders of the commission. The contractor shall take such action with respect to any such subcontract or purchase order as the commission may direct as a means of enforcing such provisions including sanctions for noncompliance in accordance with section 46a-56; provided, if such contractor becomes involved in, or is threatened with, litigation with a subcontractor or vendor as a result of such direction by the commission, the contractor may request the state of Connecticut to enter into any such litigation or negotiation prior thereto to protect the interests of the state and the state may so enter.

Sec. 8. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2012) The protections afforded to persons under sections 46a-60, 46a-64c, 46a-66, 46a-70, 46a-71, 46a-72, 46a-75 and 46a-76 of the general statutes shall apply to a veteran as defined in section 27-103 of the general statutes and to an active member of the armed forces as defined in section 27-103 of the general statutes.

Sec. 9. Subsections (a) and (b) of section 4a-60a of the 2012 supplement to the general statutes are repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2012):

(a) Every contract to which the state or any political subdivision of the state [other than a municipality] is a party shall contain the following provisions:

(1) The contractor agrees and warrants that in the performance of the contract such contractor will not discriminate or permit discrimination against any person or group of persons on the grounds of sexual orientation, in any manner prohibited by the laws of the United States or of the state of Connecticut, and that employees are treated when employed without regard to their sexual orientation;

(2) The contractor agrees to provide each labor union or representative of workers with which such contractor has a collective bargaining agreement or other contract or understanding and each vendor with which such contractor has a contract or understanding, a notice to be provided by the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities advising the labor union or workers' representative of the contractor's commitments under this section, and to post copies of the notice in conspicuous places available to employees and applicants for employment;

(3) The contractor agrees to comply with each provision of this section and with each regulation or relevant order issued by said commission pursuant to section 46a-56; and

(4) The contractor agrees to provide the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities with such information requested by the commission, and permit access to pertinent books, records and accounts, concerning the employment practices and procedures of the contractor which relate to the provisions of this section and section 46a-56.

(b) (1) Any contractor who has one or more contracts with the state or a political subdivision of the state that is valued at less than fifty thousand dollars for each year of the contract shall provide the state or such political subdivision of the state with a written representation that complies with the nondiscrimination agreement and warranty under subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of this section.

(2) Any contractor who has one or more contracts with the state or a political subdivision of the state that is valued at fifty thousand dollars or more for any year of the contract shall provide the state or such political subdivision of the state with any of the following:

(A) Documentation in the form of a company or corporate policy adopted by resolution of the board of directors, shareholders, managers, members or other governing body of such contractor that complies with the nondiscrimination agreement and warranty under subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of this section;

(B) Documentation in the form of a company or corporate policy adopted by a prior resolution of the board of directors, shareholders, managers, members or other governing body of such contractor if (i) the prior resolution is certified by a duly authorized corporate officer of such contractor to be in effect on the date the documentation is submitted, and (ii) the head of the agency of the state or such political subdivision, or a designee, certifies that the prior resolution complies with the nondiscrimination agreement and warranty under subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of this section; or

(C) Documentation in the form of an affidavit signed under penalty of false statement by a chief executive officer, president, chairperson or other corporate officer duly authorized to adopt company or corporate policy that certifies that the company or corporate policy of the contractor complies with the nondiscrimination agreement and warranty under subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of this section and is in effect on the date the affidavit is signed.

(3) Neither the state nor any political subdivision shall award a contract to a contractor who has not provided the representation or documentation required under subdivisions (1) and (2) of this subsection, as applicable. After the initial submission of such representation or documentation, the contractor shall not be required to resubmit such representation or documentation unless there is a change in the information contained in such representation or documentation. If there is any change in the information contained in the most recently filed representation or updated documentation, the contractor shall submit an updated representation or documentation, as applicable, either (A) not later than thirty days after the effective date of such change, or (B) upon the execution of a new contract with the state or a political subdivision of the state, whichever is earlier. Such contractor shall also certify, in accordance with subparagraph (B) or (C) of subdivision (2) of this subsection, to the state or political subdivision, not later than fourteen days after the twelve-month anniversary of the most recently filed representation, documentation or updated representation or documentation, that the representation on file with the state or political subdivision is current and accurate.

(4) For the purposes of this section, "contract" includes any extension or modification of the contract, and "contractor" includes any successors or assigns of the contractor. For the purposes of this section, "contract" does not include a contract where each contractor is (A) a political subdivision of the state, [including, but not limited to, a municipality,] (B) a quasi-public agency, as defined in section 1-120, (C) any other state, as defined in section 1-267, (D) the federal government, (E) a foreign government, or (F) an agency of a subdivision, agency, state or government described in subparagraph (A), (B), (C), (D) or (E) of this subdivision.

Sec. 10. Section 4a-60g of the 2012 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2012):

(a) As used in this section and sections 4a-60h to 4a-60j, inclusive, the following terms have the following meanings:

(1) "Small contractor" means any contractor, subcontractor, manufacturer, service company or nonprofit corporation (A) that maintains its principal place of business in the state, and (B) that had gross revenues not exceeding fifteen million dollars in the most recently completed fiscal year prior to such application. "Small contractor" does not include any person who is affiliated with another person if both persons considered together have a gross revenue exceeding fifteen million dollars.

(2) "State agency" means each state board, commission, department, office, institution, council or other agency with the power to contract for goods or services itself or through its head.

(3) "Minority business enterprise" means any small contractor (A) fifty-one per cent or more of the capital stock, if any, or assets of which are owned by a person or persons (i) who exercise operational authority over the daily affairs of the enterprise, (ii) who have the power to direct the management and policies and receive the beneficial interest of the enterprise, and (iii) who are members of a minority, as such term is defined in subsection (a) of section 32-9n, (B) who is an individual with a disability, or (C) which is a nonprofit corporation in which fifty-one per cent or more of the persons who (i) exercise operational authority over the enterprise, and (ii) have the power to direct the management and policies of the enterprise are members of a minority, as defined in this subsection, or are individuals with a disability.

(4) "Affiliated" means the relationship in which a person directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by or is under common control with another person.

(5) "Control" means the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of any person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or through any other direct or indirect means. Control shall be presumed to exist if any person, directly or indirectly, owns, controls, holds with the power to vote, or holds proxies representing, twenty per cent or more of any voting securities of another person.

(6) "Person" means any individual, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association, joint stock company, business trust, unincorporated organization or other entity.

(7) "Individual with a disability" means an individual (A) having a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities of the individual, which mental impairment may include, but is not limited to, having one or more mental disorders, as defined in the most recent edition of the American Psychiatric Association's "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders", or (B) having a record of such an impairment.

(8) "Nonprofit corporation" means a nonprofit corporation incorporated pursuant to chapter 602 or any predecessor statutes thereto.

(b) It is found and determined that there is a serious need to help small contractors, minority business enterprises, nonprofit organizations and individuals with disabilities to be considered for and awarded state contracts for the construction, reconstruction or rehabilitation of public buildings, the construction and maintenance of highways and the purchase of goods and services. Accordingly, the necessity, in the public interest and for the public benefit and good, of the provisions of this section, sections 4a-60h to 4a-60j, inclusive, and sections 32-9i to 32-9p, inclusive, is declared as a matter of legislative determination. Notwithstanding any provisions of the general statutes to the contrary, and except as set forth herein, the head of each state agency and each political subdivision of the state [other than a municipality] shall set aside in each fiscal year, for award to small contractors, on the basis of competitive bidding procedures, contracts or portions of contracts for the construction, reconstruction or rehabilitation of public buildings, the construction and maintenance of highways and the purchase of goods and services. Eligibility of nonprofit corporations under the provisions of this section shall be limited to predevelopment contracts awarded by the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development for housing projects. The total value of such contracts or portions thereof to be set aside by each such agency shall be at least twenty-five per cent of the total value of all contracts let by the head of such agency in each fiscal year, provided that neither: (1) A contract that may not be set aside due to a conflict with a federal law or regulation; or (2) a contract for any goods or services which have been determined by the Commissioner of Administrative Services to be not customarily available from or supplied by small contractors shall be included. Contracts or portions thereof having a value of not less than twenty-five per cent of the total value of all contracts or portions thereof to be set aside shall be reserved for awards to minority business enterprises.

(c) The head of any state agency or political subdivision of the state [other than a municipality] may, in lieu of setting aside any contract or portions thereof, require any general or trade contractor or any other entity authorized by such agency to award contracts, to set aside a portion of any contract for subcontractors who are eligible for set-aside contracts under this section. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to diminish the total value of contracts which are required to be set aside by any state agency or political subdivision of the state [other than a municipality] pursuant to this section.

(d) The heads of all state agencies and of each political subdivision of the state [other than a municipality] shall notify the Commissioner of Administrative Services of all contracts to be set aside pursuant to subsection (b) or (c) of this section at the time that bid documents for such contracts are made available to potential contractors.

(e) The awarding authority shall require that a contractor or subcontractor awarded a contract or a portion of a contract under this section perform not less than fifteen per cent of the work with the workforces of such contractor or subcontractor and shall require that not less than twenty-five per cent of the work be performed by contractors or subcontractors eligible for awards under this section. A contractor awarded a contract or a portion of a contract under this section shall not subcontract with any person with whom the contractor is affiliated. No person who is affiliated with another person shall be eligible for awards under this section if both affiliated persons considered together would not qualify as a small contractor or a minority business enterprise under subsection (a) of this section. The awarding authority shall require that a contractor awarded a contract pursuant to this section submit, in writing, an explanation of any subcontract to such contract that is entered into with any person that is not eligible for the award of a contract pursuant to this section, prior to the performance of any work pursuant to such subcontract.

(f) The awarding authority may require that a contractor or subcontractor awarded a contract or a portion of a contract under this section furnish the following documentation: (1) A copy of the certificate of incorporation, certificate of limited partnership, partnership agreement or other organizational documents of the contractor or subcontractor; (2) a copy of federal income tax returns filed by the contractor or subcontractor for the previous year; and (3) evidence of payment of fair market value for the purchase or lease by the contractor or subcontractor of property or equipment from another contractor who is not eligible for set-aside contracts under this section.

(g) The awarding authority or the Commissioner of Administrative Services or the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities may conduct an audit of the financial, corporate and business records and conduct an investigation of any small contractor or minority business enterprise which applies for or is awarded a set-aside contract for the purpose of determining eligibility for awards or compliance with the requirements established under this section.

(h) The provisions of this section shall not apply to any state agency or political subdivision of the state [other than a municipality] for which the total value of all contracts or portions of contracts of the types enumerated in subsection (b) of this section is anticipated to be equal to ten thousand dollars or less.

(i) In lieu of a performance, bid, labor and materials or other required bond, a contractor or subcontractor awarded a contract under this section may provide to the awarding authority, and the awarding authority shall accept a letter of credit. Any such letter of credit shall be in an amount equal to ten per cent of the contract for any contract that is less than one hundred thousand dollars and in an amount equal to twenty-five per cent of the contract for any contract that exceeds one hundred thousand dollars.

(j) (1) Whenever the awarding authority has reason to believe that any contractor or subcontractor awarded a set-aside contract has wilfully violated any provision of this section, the awarding authority shall send a notice to such contractor or subcontractor by certified mail, return receipt requested. Such notice shall include: (A) A reference to the provision alleged to be violated; (B) a short and plain statement of the matter asserted; (C) the maximum civil penalty that may be imposed for such violation; and (D) the time and place for the hearing. Such hearing shall be fixed for a date not earlier than fourteen days after the notice is mailed. The awarding authority shall send a copy of such notice to the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities.

(2) The awarding authority shall hold a hearing on the violation asserted unless such contractor or subcontractor fails to appear. The hearing shall be held in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54. If, after the hearing, the awarding authority finds that the contractor or subcontractor has wilfully violated any provision of this section, the awarding authority shall suspend all set-aside contract payments to the contractor or subcontractor and may, in its discretion, order that a civil penalty not exceeding ten thousand dollars per violation be imposed on the contractor or subcontractor. If such contractor or subcontractor fails to appear for the hearing, the awarding authority may, as the facts require, order that a civil penalty not exceeding ten thousand dollars per violation be imposed on the contractor or subcontractor. The awarding authority shall send a copy of any order issued pursuant to this subsection by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the contractor or subcontractor named in such order. The awarding authority may cause proceedings to be instituted by the Attorney General for the enforcement of any order imposing a civil penalty issued under this subsection.

(k) [On or before January 1, 2000, the] The Commissioner of Administrative Services shall establish a process for certification of small contractors and minority business enterprises as eligible for set-aside contracts. Each certification shall be valid for a period not to exceed two years. Any paper application for certification shall be no longer than six pages. The Department of Administrative Services shall maintain on its web site an updated directory of small contractors and minority business enterprises certified under this section.

(l) On or before August 30, 2007, and annually thereafter, each state agency and each political subdivision of the state [other than a municipality] setting aside contracts or portions of contracts shall prepare a report establishing small and minority business set-aside program goals for the twelve-month period beginning July first in the same year. Each such report shall be submitted to the Commissioner of Administrative Services, the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities and the [cochairpersons] chairpersons and ranking members of the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to planning and development and government administration and elections.

(m) On or before November 1, 1995, and quarterly thereafter, each state agency and each political subdivision of the state [other than a municipality] setting aside contracts or portions of contracts shall prepare a status report on the implementation and results of its small business and minority business enterprise set-aside program goals during the three-month period ending one month before the due date for the report. Each report shall be submitted to the Commissioner of Administrative Services and the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities. Any state agency or political subdivision of the state [, other than a municipality,] that achieves less than fifty per cent of its small contractor and minority business enterprise set-aside program goals by the end of the second reporting period in any twelve-month period beginning on July first shall provide a written explanation to the Commissioner of Administrative Services and the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities detailing how the agency or political subdivision will achieve its goals in the final reporting period. The Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities shall: (1) Monitor the achievement of the annual goals established by each state agency and political subdivision of the state; [other than a municipality;] and (2) prepare a quarterly report concerning such goal achievement. The report shall be submitted to each state agency that submitted a report, the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development, the Commissioner of Administrative Services and the cochairpersons and ranking members of the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to planning and development and government administration and elections. Failure by any state agency or political subdivision of the state [other than a municipality] to submit any reports required by this section shall be a violation of section 46a-77.

(n) Nothing in this section shall be construed to apply to the four janitorial contracts awarded pursuant to subsections (b) to (e), inclusive, of section 4a-82.

Sec. 11. Section 4a-61 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2012):

The Commissioner of Administrative Services, with the advice of the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development, shall adopt regulations, in accordance with chapter 54, establishing procedures for the award of contracts concerning minority business enterprises by the state or any political subdivision of the state. [other than a municipality.]

Sec. 12. Subsection (a) of section 4a-62 of the 2012 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2012):

(a) There is established a Minority Business Enterprise Review Committee. The committee shall consist of two members of the House of Representatives appointed by the speaker of the House, two members of the House appointed by the minority leader of the House, two members of the Senate appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate, and two members of the Senate appointed by the minority leader of the Senate. The committee shall conduct an ongoing study of contract awards, loans and bonds made or guaranteed by the state or any political subdivision of the state [other than a municipality] for the purpose of determining the extent of compliance with the provisions of the general statutes concerning contract awards, loans and bonds for minority business enterprises, including the set-aside program for such business enterprises.

Sec. 13. Section 46a-68b of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2012):

As used in this section and sections 4a-60, as amended by this act, 4a-60a, as amended by this act, 4a-60g, as amended by this act, 4a-62, as amended by this act, 46a-56 and 46a-68c to 46a-68k, inclusive: "Public works contract" means any agreement between any individual, firm or corporation and the state or any political subdivision of the state [other than a municipality] for construction, rehabilitation, conversion, extension, demolition or repair of a public building, highway or other changes or improvements in real property, or which is financed in whole or in part by the state, including, but not limited to, matching expenditures, grants, loans, insurance or guarantees.

This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following sections:
Section 1	October 1, 2012	4-61dd(d)(2)
Sec. 2	October 1, 2012	46a-51(4)
Sec. 3	October 1, 2012	46a-52
Sec. 4	October 1, 2012	46a-58
Sec. 5	October 1, 2012	46a-89
Sec. 6	October 1, 2012	46a-68d
Sec. 7	October 1, 2012	4a-60
Sec. 8	October 1, 2012	New section
Sec. 9	October 1, 2012	4a-60a(a) and (b)
Sec. 10	October 1, 2012	4a-60g
Sec. 11	October 1, 2012	4a-61
Sec. 12	October 1, 2012	4a-62(a)
Sec. 13	October 1, 2012	46a-68b

JUD

Joint Favorable