# Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46a-57: Sec. 46a-57. (Formerly Sec. 31-124). Human rights referees: Appointment, term, removal, duties, qualifications. Chief Human Rights Referee. Regulations. Subpoena power. Expert witness fees > Connecticut · Statutes · In force URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CT_T46a_C814c_S46a-57 ## Section - **Citation:** Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46a-57 - **Heading:** Sec. 46a-57. (Formerly Sec. 31-124). Human rights referees: Appointment, term, removal, duties, qualifications. Chief Human Rights Referee. Regulations. Subpoena power. Expert witness fees - **Jurisdiction:** Connecticut - **Kind:** Statutes - **Status:** In force - **Text as of:** August 14, 2026 - **Source:** Compiled text - **Location:** Connecticut Code / Title 46a / Chapter 814c / Section 46a-57 ## Text (2) (A) On and after October 1, 1999, the Governor shall appoint seven human rights referees with the advice and consent of both houses of the General Assembly. The Governor shall appoint three human rights referees to serve for a term of two years commencing October 1, 1999. The Governor shall appoint four human rights referees to serve for a term of three years commencing January 1, 2000. Thereafter, human rights referees shall serve for a term of three years. (B) On and after July 1, 2001, there shall be five human rights referees. Each of the human rights referees serving on July 1, 2001, shall complete the term to which such referee was appointed. Thereafter, human rights referees shall be appointed by the Governor, with the advice and consent of both houses of the General Assembly, to serve for a term of three years. (C) On and after July 1, 2004, there shall be seven human rights referees. Each of the human rights referees serving on July 1, 2004, shall complete the term to which such referee was appointed and shall serve until his successor is appointed and qualified. Thereafter, human rights referees shall be appointed by the Governor, with the advice and consent of both houses of the General Assembly, to serve for a term of three years. (D) On and after October 5, 2009, and until July 1, 2011, there shall be five human rights referees. Each of the human rights referees serving on October 5, 2009, shall serve until the term to which such referee was appointed is completed, or until July 1, 2011, whichever is earlier, and shall serve until a successor is appointed and qualified. In the case of a vacancy, a successor shall be appointed by the Governor, with the advice and consent of both houses of the General Assembly, to serve until July 1, 2011. (E) On and after July 1, 2011, there shall be three human rights referees who shall (i) be appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of both houses of the General Assembly, and (ii) serve for a term of three years. (3) When the General Assembly is not in session, any vacancy shall be filled pursuant to the provisions of section 4-19 . The Governor may remove any human rights referee for cause. (b) Human rights referees shall serve full-time and shall conduct the settlement negotiations and hearings authorized by the provisions of this chapter. A human rights referee shall have the powers granted to hearing officers and presiding officers by chapter 54 and this chapter. A human rights referee shall be an attorney admitted to the practice of law in this state. Any commissioner of the Superior Court who is able and willing to hear discriminatory practice complaints may submit his or her name to the Governor for consideration for appointment as a human rights referee. No human rights referee shall appear before the commission or another hearing officer for one year after leaving office. (c) On or after October 1, 1998, the executive director shall designate one human rights referee to serve as Chief Human Rights Referee for a term of one year. The Chief Human Rights Referee, in consultation with the executive director, shall supervise and assign the human rights referees to conduct settlement negotiations and hearings on complaints, including complaints for which a trial on the merits has not commenced prior to October 1, 1998, on a rotating basis. The commission, in consultation with the executive director and Chief Human Rights Referee, shall adopt regulations and rules of practice, in accordance with chapter 54, to ensure consistent procedures governing contested case proceedings. t negotiations and hearings on complaints, including complaints for which a trial on the merits has not commenced prior to October 1, 1998, on a rotating basis. The commission, in consultation with the executive director and Chief Human Rights Referee, shall adopt regulations and rules of practice, in accordance with chapter 54, to ensure consistent procedures governing contested case proceedings. (d) When serving as a presiding officer as provided in section 46a-84 , each human rights referee shall have the same subpoena powers as are granted to commissioners by subdivision (9) of section 46a-54 . Each presiding officer shall also have the power to determine a reasonable fee to be paid to an expert witness called by the commission to give expert testimony in person or by deposition pursuant to section 46a-84 . Such fee shall be paid to the expert witness in lieu of all other witness fees. See Sec. 4-61dd re duties of human rights referees in personnel actions involving state employees, employees of quasi-public agencies or employees of large state contractors. Annotations to former section 31-124: Cited. 153 C. 173; 163 C. 327. Annotations to present section: Cited. 236 C. 681. Cited. 3 CA 464. ## Nearby sections - [Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46a-51 Sec. 46a-51. (Formerly Sec. 31-122). Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CT_T46a_C814c_S46a-51.md) - [Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46a-52 Sec. 46a-52. (Formerly Sec. 31-123). Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities: Appointment; expenses; training requirements; executive director; deputy directors.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CT_T46a_C814c_S46a-52.md) - [Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46a-54 Sec. 46a-54. (Formerly Sec. 31-125). Commission powers.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CT_T46a_C814c_S46a-54.md) - [Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46a-55 Sec. 46a-55. (Formerly Sec. 31-125a). Commission legal counsel.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CT_T46a_C814c_S46a-55.md) - [Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46a-56 Sec. 46a-56. Commission duties.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CT_T46a_C814c_S46a-56.md) - [Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46a-57 Sec. 46a-57. (Formerly Sec. 31-124). Human rights referees: Appointment, term, removal, duties, qualifications. Chief Human Rights Referee. Regulations. Subpoena power. Expert witness fees.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CT_T46a_C814c_S46a-57.md) - [Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46a-58 Sec. 46a-58. (Formerly Sec. 53-34). Deprivation of rights. Desecration of property. Placing of burning cross or noose on property. Penalty. Restitution.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CT_T46a_C814c_S46a-58.md) - [Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46a-59 Sec. 46a-59. (Formerly Sec. 53-35a). Discrimination in associations of licensed persons prohibited. Penalty.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CT_T46a_C814c_S46a-59.md) - [Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46a-60 Sec. 46a-60. (Formerly Sec. 31-126). Discriminatory employment practices prohibited.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CT_T46a_C814c_S46a-60.md) - [Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46a-61 Sec. 46a-61. Discriminatory employment practices: Mental disorder exception.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CT_T46a_C814c_S46a-61.md) - [Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46a-62 Sec. 46a-62. (Formerly Sec. 31-126a). Statutes re discrimination in compensation on the basis of sex not affected.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CT_T46a_C814c_S46a-62.md) - [Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46a-63 Sec. 46a-63. Discriminatory public accommodation practices: Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CT_T46a_C814c_S46a-63.md) - [Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46a-64 Sec. 46a-64. (Formerly Sec. 53-35). Discriminatory public accommodations practices prohibited. Penalty.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CT_T46a_C814c_S46a-64.md) - [Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46a-64b Sec. 46a-64b. Discriminatory housing practices: Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CT_T46a_C814c_S46a-64b.md) --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CT_T46a_C814c_S46a-57. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.