CT SB00468

Modifies complaint hearing procedures to commence within 45 days of complaint certification or decision to hear the complaint, with final decisions required within 18 months.

Adds discovery provisions allowing parties to inspect relevant documents and permits presiding officers to issue sanctions including adverse inferences for noncompliance with production orders.

Authorizes the Chief Court Administrator to designate judge trial referees to serve as presiding officers when complaints exceed 100 pending cases, compensated from commission funds.

Allows the commission's executive director to authorize legal counsel to represent state interests in civil rights suits and to bring civil actions in Superior Court instead of administrative hearings when determined to be in the public interest.

Requires affirmative action plan approvals within 90 days, with automatic approval if the executive director fails to act within that timeframe; shifts plan review responsibility from the commission to the executive director.