Judiciary Committee
JOINT FAVORABLE REPORT
Bill No.: SB-363
AN ACT CONCERNING THE DUTIES OF THE OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY
Title: GENERAL.
Vote Date: 3/29/2021
Vote Action: Joint Favorable
PH Date: 3/8/2021
File No.: 443
Disclaimer: The following JOINT FAVORABLE Report is prepared for the benefit of the
members of the General Assembly, solely for purposes of information, summarization and
explanation and does not represent the intent of the General Assembly or either chamber
thereof for any purpose.
SPONSORS OF BILL:
The Judiciary Committee
Sen. Derek Slap, 5th Dist.,
Sen. Saud Anwar, 3rd Dist.,
Rep. Steven J. Stafstrom, 129th Dist.
REASONS FOR BILL:
Under current Connecticut law, the Office of the Attorney General has the authority to employ
litigation against civil rights violations but does not have the large-scale ability to investigate
allegations that an individual's civil rights are being violated nor initiate legal proceedings in
response to such allegations. At least 22 states -including New York, Massachusetts, and
Rhode Island- have authorized Attorneys General to have jurisdiction to use civil litigation in
various ways. This bill would update current statutes to better equip the Office of the Attorney
General to handle civil rights violations. Over the past years, there has been an escalation in
civil rights violations stemming from an array of political and economic factors.
Office of the Attorney General, Attorney General, William Tong; supports this bill stating that
its ability to protect the civil rights of Connecticut residents is constrained because
Connecticut lacks a statute explicitly recognizing the Attorney General's role in civil rights
enforcement. It is stated that the Office of the Attorney General can already enforce civil
rights within existing appropriations but believes that the measures of the bill improve its
ability to protect civil rights, thereby formalizing the AGO's ability to investigate & where
warranted, bring civil rights lawsuits to stop large-scale, systemic violations of existing
constitutional and statutory rights.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF SUPPORT:
American Civil Liberties Union of Connecticut (ACLU-CT), Interim Senior Policy Counsel,
Kelly McConney Moore; supports this bill stating that it would give the Attorney General the
power to protect and strengthen civil rights in Connecticut. It is stated that the Attorney
Generals efforts could complement to the work of the existing civil rights agencies and
organizations. It was also stated that around half of the states in across the nation have
formally authorized their Attorneys General to protect the civil rights of their residents by
combatting discrimination.
Anti-Defamation League Connecticut (ADL-CT), Regional Director, Steve Ginsburg; supports
this bill stating that current Connecticut law already permits hate crime victims to bring a civil
action for damages, including equitable relief and attorneys fees. It is also stated that the
provisions of this bill are important because it enables the Attorney General to investigate and
protect those hate crime victims who do not have the resources or capacity to seek justice on
their own, and/or where civil remedies are otherwise inadequate to deter the wrongful
conduct.
Jewish Federation Association of Connecticut (JFACT), Executive Director, Michael Bloom;
supports this bill stating that this bill complements but not duplicates important ongoing civil
rights enforcement efforts including the work of the Commission on Human Rights and
Opportunities.
Municipal Employees Union Independent, SEIU Local 506 & Connecticut Employees Union
Independent, SEIU Local 511, President, Carl Chisem; supports this bill stating that it would
authorize the Attorney General to protect existing rights against severe and systemic
violations. It is stated that it is imperative that aggressive behavior is halted, and systems of
enforcement should be implemented to limit the pattern of aggressive behavior [and it would]
allow for greater enforcement of civil rights laws.
SEIU 32BJ, District Director, Rochelle Palache; supports this bill stating that it would not
expand civil rights law or interfere with existing civil rights enforcement, instead it would allow
the Attorney General to play a complimentary role that will strengthen the overall enforcement
of existing law.
Connecticut AFL-CIO, President, Sal Luciano; supports this bill stating that disparities still
exist within society and states that the provisions of this bill will enable the Attorney General
to address large-scale, systemic violations of civil rights. It is stated that the deaths of George
Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery and the uptick in violence and discrimination
against Asian Americans are examples of why this bill is necessary.
Connecticut Working Families Organization, State Director, Carlos Moreno; supports this bill
stating that it improves the ability of the Attorney General to address civil rights violations as
well as hate crimes.
United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, President, Matthew Capece;
supports this bill stating that the provisions of this bill are needed in order to better address
workers rights violations in Connecticut which financially burden the state and taxpayers. It is
stated that there is significant fraud in the construction industry by citing a national study
published which shows that 1.3 to 2.2 million construction workers were paid off the books or
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mischaracterized as independent contractors in 2017. It is also stated that workers would be
protected if this bill was passed.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF OPPOSITION:
Ward Law LLC, Attorney, DeVaughn Ward; opposes this bill stating that the power given to
the Attorney General in this bill therein could be used in ways adverse to the intent of
protecting civil rights. This bill would provide the Office of the AG with authority that is
contradictory to their role in defending state employees and officials who at times are alleged
of civil rights violations. If the bill passes, Attorney Ward recommends placing a firewall
between the Division of Public Safety and the office charged with investigating and litigating
civil rights abuses.
Reported by: John Gerke, Intern Date: 4/8/2021
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