Bill Text: CT SB00608 | 2017 | General Assembly | Comm Sub

Connecticut Senate Bill 608 (Prior Session Legislation)

Bill Title: An Act Concerning A Bill Of Rights For Residents Of Public Housing.

Spectrum: Committee Bill

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2017-03-23 - File Number 201 [SB00608 Detail]

Download: Connecticut-2017-SB00608-Comm_Sub.html


General Assembly		*Committee Bill No. 608*
*January Session, 2017*		LCO No. 4833
		_____SB00608HSG___030817____
Referred to Committee on HOUSING
Introduced by:
(HSG)

AN ACT CONCERNING A BILL OF RIGHTS FOR RESIDENTS OF PUBLIC HOUSING.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:

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.

(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:

(1) You have the right to decent, well-maintained, safe housing;

(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;

(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;

(4) You have the right to vote to elect one member to the housing authority board;

(5) You have the right to organize and participate in a residents' association and, where applicable, receive housing authority support for such an organization;

(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;

(7) You have the right to receive a copy of the housing authority's budget;

(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

(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.

(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.