Connecticut General Statutes 21a-7 – Powers and duties of boards and commissions within Department of Consumer Protection
(a) Each board or commission within the Department of Consumer Protection under section 21a-6 shall have the following powers and duties:
Terms Used In Connecticut General Statutes 21a-7
- Appeal: A request made after a trial, asking another court (usually the court of appeals) to decide whether the trial was conducted properly. To make such a request is "to appeal" or "to take an appeal." One who appeals is called the appellant.
- Equitable: Pertaining to civil suits in "equity" rather than in "law." In English legal history, the courts of "law" could order the payment of damages and could afford no other remedy. See damages. A separate court of "equity" could order someone to do something or to cease to do something. See, e.g., injunction. In American jurisprudence, the federal courts have both legal and equitable power, but the distinction is still an important one. For example, a trial by jury is normally available in "law" cases but not in "equity" cases. Source: U.S. Courts
- Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
- Injunction: An order of the court prohibiting (or compelling) the performance of a specific act to prevent irreparable damage or injury.
- Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
- Probation: A sentencing alternative to imprisonment in which the court releases convicted defendants under supervision as long as certain conditions are observed.
- Quorum: The number of legislators that must be present to do business.
- Remand: When an appellate court sends a case back to a lower court for further proceedings.
- Restitution: The court-ordered payment of money by the defendant to the victim for damages caused by the criminal action.
- Statute: A law passed by a legislature.
- Testify: Answer questions in court.
- Testimony: Evidence presented orally by witnesses during trials or before grand juries.
- Transcript: A written, word-for-word record of what was said, either in a proceeding such as a trial or during some other conversation, as in a transcript of a hearing or oral deposition.
(1) Each board or commission shall exercise its statutory functions, including licensing, certification, registration, accreditation of schools and the rendering of findings, orders and adjudications. With the exception of the Liquor Control Commission, any exercise of such functions by such a board or commission that is adverse to a party shall be a proposed final decision and subject to approval, modification or rejection by the commissioner.
(2) Each board or commission may, in its discretion, issue (A) an appropriate order to any person found to be violating an applicable statute or regulation providing for the immediate discontinuance of the violation, (B) an order requiring the violator to make restitution for any damage caused by the violation, or (C) both. Each board or commission may, through the Attorney General, petition the superior court for the judicial district wherein the violation occurred, or wherein the person committing the violation resides or transacts business, for the enforcement of any order issued by it and for appropriate temporary relief or a restraining order and shall certify and file in the court a transcript of the entire record of the hearing or hearings, including all testimony upon which such order was made and the findings and orders made by the board or commission. The court may grant such relief by injunction or otherwise, including temporary relief, as it deems equitable and may make and enter a decree enforcing, modifying and enforcing as so modified, or setting aside, in whole or in part, any order of a board or commission.
(3) Each board or commission may conduct hearings on any matter within its statutory jurisdiction. Such hearings shall be conducted in accordance with chapter 54 and the regulations established pursuant to subsection (a) of section 21a-9. In connection with any such hearing, the board or commission may administer oaths, issue subpoenas, compel testimony and order the production of books, records and documents. If any person refuses to appear, testify or produce any book, record or document when so ordered, a judge of the Superior Court may make such order as may be appropriate to aid in the enforcement of this section.
(4) Each board or commission may request the Commissioner of Consumer Protection to conduct an investigation and to make findings and recommendations regarding any matter within the statutory jurisdiction of the board or commission.
(5) Each board or commission may recommend rules and regulations for adoption by the Commissioner of Consumer Protection and may review and comment upon proposed rules and regulations prior to their adoption by said commissioner.
(6) Each board or commission shall meet at least once in each quarter of a calendar year and at such other times as the chairperson or the Commissioner of Consumer Protection deems necessary. A majority of the members shall constitute a quorum, except that for any examining board, forty per cent of the members shall constitute a quorum. Any member who fails to attend three consecutive meetings or who fails to attend fifty per cent of all meetings during any calendar year shall be deemed to have resigned from office. Members of boards or commissions shall not serve for more than two consecutive full terms which commence on or after July 1, 1982, except that if no successor has been appointed or approved, such member shall continue to serve until a successor is appointed or approved. Members shall not be compensated for their services but shall be reimbursed for necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.
(7) In addition to any other action permitted under the general statutes, each board or commission may, upon a finding of any cause specified in subsection (c) of section 21a-9: (A) Revoke, place conditions upon or suspend a license, registration or certificate; (B) issue a letter of reprimand to a practitioner and send a copy of such letter to a complainant or to a state or local official; (C) place a practitioner on probationary status and require the practitioner to (i) report regularly to the department, board or commission on the matter which is the basis for probation, (ii) limit the practitioner’s practice to areas prescribed by the board or commission, or (iii) continue or renew the practitioner’s education until the practitioner has attained a satisfactory level of competence in any area which is the basis for probation; or (D) impose a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars per violation. Each board or commission may discontinue, suspend or rescind any action taken under this subsection.
(8) Each examining board within the Department of Consumer Protection or the Commissioner of Consumer Protection shall conduct any hearing or other action required for an application submitted pursuant to section 20-333 and any completed renewal application submitted pursuant to section 20-335 not later than (A) thirty days after the date of submission for such application or completed renewal application, as applicable, or (B) a period of time deemed appropriate by the Commissioner of Consumer Protection, but not to exceed sixty days after such date of submission.
(b) With the exception of the Liquor Control Commission, each board or commission within the Department of Consumer Protection under section 21a-6 that makes a proposed final decision that is adverse to a party as described in subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of this section, shall submit such proposed final decision to the Commissioner of Consumer Protection. Not later than thirty calendar days after receipt of any such proposed final decision, the Commissioner of Consumer Protection shall notify such board or commission that the commissioner shall render the final decision concerning such matter. Not later than thirty days after receipt of any such proposed final decision, the commissioner shall approve, modify or reject the proposed final decision or remand the proposed final decision for further review or for the taking of additional evidence. The commissioner shall notify the board or commission in writing of the commissioner’s decision and include in such notification the rationale for such decision. The decision of the commissioner shall be the final decision in accordance with section 4-180 for purposes of reconsideration in accordance with section 4-181a or appeal to the Superior Court in accordance with section 4-183.