There is hereby established a Human Rights Commission
(hereinafter referred to as "the Commission") for the purposes stated
herein, which shall be appointed and organized and shall have the
duties and powers as hereinafter set forth.
The purposes of the Commission shall be as follows:
A. To promote mutual understanding and respect among
all racial, religious, ethnic, and other groups.
B. To secure equality of treatment of, and opportunity
for, all human beings.
C. To cooperate with governmental and nongovernmental
agencies with organizations having like or kindred functions to those
of the Commission, as it deems necessary or desirable.
D. To make such studies in the field of human rights
as in the judgment of the Commission will aid in effectuating its
general purpose.
E. To demonstrate to federal or state funding agencies
or courts that Newington has an official body which does review issues
or challenges involving compliance with federal and state laws on
human rights and which can make recommendations to the Town Council
for action.
[Amended 1-25-1983]
The responsibilities of the Commission shall
be as follows:
A. To work with federal, state and Town agencies, as
well as with private, civic, religious, business, industrial, labor,
and other Newington organizations, groups or persons, and to recommend
to the Town Council any programs arising therefrom which will help
all members of the community to enjoy equality of opportunity in all
phases of community life.
B. To engage in, study and research and to publish reports
designed to increase understanding within the community and conduct
other appropriate activities in furtherance of its goals.
C. To seek compliance with all state and federal laws
relating to human rights and opportunities, including but not limited
to C.G.S. § 31-126 (unfair employment practices) and § 53-35
(discrimination in public accommodations, rental housing and commercial
property, sale of building lots and mobile home parks).
D. To receive complaints regarding inequity of treatment
or of discrimination in the Town and, when appropriate, to refer such
complaints to the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities
and to other agencies having jurisdiction in the particular matter;
provided, however, that no action shall be taken upon any complaint
received by the Commission unless the same has been filed by either
an official or agency of the federal, state or local government or
by a natural person and unless such complaint alleges one or more
acts occurring within the Town whereby the complainant's legal rights
have been directly or indirectly violated in the area of public accommodations,
housing, employment or other matters within the purview of the Human
Rights Commission and sets forth the specifics thereof.
E. To carry out such projects in the area of human rights
as shall be assigned to it by the Town Council.
F. To offer its services and to cooperate with every
other agency and department of the Town in promoting a healthy community.
G. To submit to the Town Council annually, or more frequently
as the need arises, reports concerning the activities of the Commission.
H. To promote activities and programs to carry out the
purposes of the Commission.
I. To pursue a community-wide program of education that
furthers intergroup understanding, tolerance and acceptance.
J. To advise and recommend to the Town Council appropriate
programs to be wholly or partially implemented with federal, state
and Town funds.
K. To perform independent investigation for the purpose
of making reports or recommendations to the Town Council with respect
to new or proposed programs or issues involving human and group rights
and relations.