Connecticut 2017 Regular Session

Connecticut Senate Bill SB00608 Compare Versions

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11 General Assembly Committee Bill No. 608
22 January Session, 2017 LCO No. 4833
3- *_____SB00608HSG___030817____*
3+ *04833SB00608HSG*
44 Referred to Committee on HOUSING
55 Introduced by:
66 (HSG)
77
88 General Assembly
99
1010 Committee Bill No. 608
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1212 January Session, 2017
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1414 LCO No. 4833
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16-*_____SB00608HSG___030817____*
16+*04833SB00608HSG*
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1818 Referred to Committee on HOUSING
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2020 Introduced by:
2121
2222 (HSG)
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2424 AN ACT CONCERNING A BILL OF RIGHTS FOR RESIDENTS OF PUBLIC HOUSING.
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2626 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:
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28-Section 1. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2017) (a) For the purposes of this section, "public housing" means dwelling accommodations operated as a state or federally subsidized multifamily housing project by a housing authority and "housing authority" has the same meaning as provided in section 8-39 of the general statutes.
28+Section 1. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2017) (a) For the purpose of this section "public housing" means dwelling accommodations operated as a state or federally subsidized multifamily housing project by a housing authority and "housing authority" has the same meaning as provided in section 8-39 of the general statutes.
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30-(b) Not later than February 1, 2018, the Department of Housing shall create a one-page document, written in plain language and in an easily readable and understandable format, containing a list of the primary rights of residents of public housing in this state. In creating such document, the department shall consult with residents of public housing, advocates of public housing and housing authorities. The department shall create two versions of such document, one written in English and one in Spanish. The document shall include, but need not be limited to, the following primary rights, in the following form:
30+(b) Not later than February 1, 2018, the Department of Housing shall create a one-page document, written in plain language and in an easily readable and understandable format, containing a list of the primary rights of residents of public housing in this state. In creating such document, the department shall consult with residents of public housing, advocates of public housing and housing authorities. The department shall create two versions of such document one written in English and one in Spanish. The document shall include, but need not be limited to, the following primary rights, in the following form:
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3232 (1) You have the right to decent, well-maintained, safe housing;
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3434 (2) You have the right to make complaints against the housing authority and to have any disagreements with the housing authority resolved by a fair procedure;
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3636 (3) You have the right to participate in the making of housing authority policies that affect the residents' tenancies, including proposed increases in the base rent or percentage rent;
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3838 (4) You have the right to vote to elect one member to the housing authority board;
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4040 (5) You have the right to organize and participate in a residents' association and, where applicable, receive housing authority support for such an organization;
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4242 (6) You have the right to receive advance notice of meetings of the housing authority board, attend such meetings and be heard at such meetings;
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4444 (7) You have the right to receive a copy of the housing authority's budget;
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4646 (8) You have the right to contact your elected officials regarding the housing authority, make a complaint against the housing authority and engage in free speech against the housing authority without fear of retaliation from any person, including persons employed by the housing authority; and
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4848 (9) If you believe that any of your rights are being violated by the housing authority, you may contact the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities for assistance or to make a complaint against the housing authority.
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5050 (c) Not later than March 1, 2018, the Department of Housing shall post a notice of intent to adopt regulations in accordance with section 4-168 of the general statutes, and shall adopt such regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 of the general statutes, to carry out the provisions of this section. Such regulations shall require each housing authority to post a copy of the document described in subsection (b) of this section, conspicuously in the common area of public housing operated by the housing authority and to distribute a copy of such document to each resident of such public housing.
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5555 This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following sections:
5656 Section 1 October 1, 2017 New section
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5858 This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following sections:
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6060 Section 1
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6262 October 1, 2017
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6464 New section
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66+Statement of Purpose:
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68+To inform residents of public housing in this state of their rights.
69+
70+[Proposed deletions are enclosed in brackets. Proposed additions are indicated by underline, except that when the entire text of a bill or resolution or a section of a bill or resolution is new, it is not underlined.]
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68-HSG Joint Favorable
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70-HSG
74+Co-Sponsors: SEN. SLOSSBERG, 14th Dist.; REP. ROSE, 118th Dist.
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72-Joint Favorable
76+Co-Sponsors:
77+
78+SEN. SLOSSBERG, 14th Dist.; REP. ROSE, 118th Dist.
79+
80+S.B. 608