OFFICE OF FISCAL ANALYSIS
Legislative Office Building, Room 5200
Hartford, CT 06106 (860) 240-0200
http://www.cga.ct.gov/ofa
sHB-6431
AN ACT CONCERNING HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES FOR JUSTICE-
IMPACTED PERSONS.
Primary Analyst: MR 3/25/21
Contributing Analyst(s):
OFA Fiscal Note
State Impact:
Agency Affected Fund-Effect FY 22 $ FY 23 $
Human Rights & Opportunities,
Com.
GF - Cost 127,254 131,072
State Comptroller - Fringe
Benefits
1
GF - Cost 52,556 54,133
Note: GF=General Fund
Municipal Impact: None
Explanation
The bill bans discrimination in the practice of housing rentals based
on an individual’s criminal record, prohibiting landlords, property
owners, and housing authorities from refusing to rent to a person
because of their criminal record, with certain exceptions. It authorizes
aggrieved individuals to file a complaint with the Commission on
Human Rights and Opportunities (CHRO).
The new prohibition would require the addition of one Human
Rights Attorney I (at an annualized cost of $75,051 in FY 22 and
$77,303 in FY 23) and a Human Rights and Opportunities Trainee (at
an annualized cost of $52,203 in FY 22 and $53,769 in FY 23). In total,
the bill results in costs of $127,254 in FY 22 and $131,072 in FY 23 to
1
The fringe benefit costs for most state employees are budgeted centrally in accounts
administered by the Comptroller. The estimated active employee fringe benefit cost
associated with most personnel changes is 41.3% of payroll in FY 22 and FY 23. 2021HB-06431-R000159-FN.DOCX Page 2 of 2
CHRO and associated costs of $52,556 in FY 22 and $54,133 in FY 23
associated with fringe benefits.
The bill is anticipated to double the number of complaints filed with
CHRO. Currently, one investigator or trainee processes approximately
50 complaints annually.
The Human Rights Attorney would perform both investigations
and perform the additional casework required in front of the Office of
Public Hearings and in court. The Human Rights and Opportunities
Trainee receives training in the investigation of discriminatory
practices complaints and would perform enforcement and
investigative work of gradually increasing responsibilities.
Within CHRO, there are currently three attorneys that handle
housing litigation, and within the housing unit, there are currently
three investigators and one administrative staff person that handles
complaint intake.
The Out Years
The annualized ongoing fiscal impact identified above would
continue into the future subject to inflation.