SB 1164 - Human Rights and Opportunities Revisions

• Consolidates Connecticut's anti-discrimination laws into Chapter 814c by repealing separate sexual orientation discrimination sections (46a-81a to 46a-81o) and integrating protections into existing employment, housing, and public accommodation provisions

• Adds sexual orientation and gender identity or expression as protected classes across employment, housing, credit, and public accommodation discrimination statutes, with exceptions for religious organizations in employment matters

• Reorganizes the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities structure, distinguishing between the Board of Commissioners (9 appointed members) and professional staff, with explicit authority to the executive director and legal counsel

• Revises discrimination complaint procedures, including mandatory mediation conferences, expedited merit assessment reviews, and expanded options for civil actions in housing discrimination cases with potential punitive damages up to $50,000

• Replaces outdated terminology throughout statutes, substituting "mental retardation" with "intellectual disability," "creed" with "religion," and updating gender-neutral language while broadening definitions of protected disabilities to align with federal standards