Connecticut Senate Bill SB01156

Connecticut 2013 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/27/13
• Refer: 3/27/13

Caption

An Act Concerning The Right To A Jury Trial In Certain Actions Alleging Discriminatory Practices.

Impact

The bill’s provisions would affect Section 46a-100 of the general statutes, altering how civil cases alleging discrimination are handled in the legal system. By establishing a right to a jury trial for certain actions, the bill could lead to an increase in the number of cases brought to court as individuals gain a new avenue for seeking justice. This adjustment aims to empower victims of discrimination by providing them with a more equitable legal process, which could be more sympathetic to their circumstances than a judge's ruling alone.

Summary

SB01156 aims to amend the existing laws concerning the right to a jury trial in actions alleging discriminatory practices. The bill specifically provides individuals who have filed a complaint with the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities (CHRO) with the ability to pursue a jury trial in superior court after obtaining a release from the commission. This change is significant as it seeks to enhance the rights of individuals who believe they have been subjected to discrimination, allowing for a jury's decision rather than solely relying on judges in civil matters.

Contention

However, the bill may face contention regarding its implications for the legal system’s capacity and the potential for an influx of jury trials related to discrimination claims. Some opposition may arise from concerns that enabling jury trials for these cases could lead to inconsistent verdicts, placing additional burdens on the court systems that are already stretched. Critics might argue that allowing juries to decide on matters of discrimination could lead to varying interpretations of the law, impacting the predictability and uniformity of legal outcomes in such sensitive and complex cases.