SubTitle31-237g-1_31-237g-107. Proceedings on Disputed Matters Pertaining to Unemployment Compensation Claims, Title31 Labor, Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies

Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies (Last Updated: June 14,2023)

Title31 Labor

SubTitle31-237g-1_31-237g-107. Proceedings on Disputed Matters Pertaining to Unemployment Compensation Claims

Sec. 31-237g-1. Definitions; interpretations

Latest version.

(Statutory reference: 31-237a, 31-237f, 31-222c)

(a) As used in Sections 31-237g-1 to 31-237g-60, inclusive, of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

(1) “Acting Chairperson” means the person serving as Chairperson in the absence of the Chairperson of the Board of Review.

(2) “Address” means the United States Postal Service mailing address or the electronic address designated by a party for receipt of Appeals Division notices.

(3) “Administrator” means the Commissioner of the Connecticut Labor Department whose address is 200 Folly Brook Boulevard, Wethersfield, Connecticut 06109, and the Commissioner’s designated representatives.

(4) “Agent State” means any state in which an individual files a claim for unemployment compensation benefits against another state.

(5) “Aggrieved” means that the given party’s interests with regard to the Unemployment Compensation laws are affected by the decision in question.

(6) “Amicus curiae” means a person, organization or entity permitted to participate in a proceeding of potentially significant precedential value, for purposes of advocating the interests of a constituency which stands to be significantly affected by the decision issued in such proceeding or availing the Appeals Division of specialized knowledge or expertise on the subject involved in such proceeding.

(7) “Appeals Division” means the Employment Security Appeals Division of the Connecticut Labor Department consisting of the Board of Review, the Referees and all supporting staff employed in the Appeals Division for discharge of the Appeals Division’s responsibilities set forth in the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies and the Connecticut General Statutes.

(8) “Attorney” means an attorney-at-law admitted to the Connecticut Bar.

(9) “Authorized agent” means any individual, organization or business that is, pursuant to Section 31-237g-11(b) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies, duly authorized by a party to represent such party in a proceeding before the Appeals Division, or that is required to register with the board pursuant to Sections 31-272-1 to 31-272-18 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies.

(10) “Board” means the Employment Security Board of Review.

(11) “Chairperson” means the Chairperson of the Employment Security Board of Review, whose address is 38 Wolcott Hill Road, Wethersfield, Connecticut 06109.

(12) “Chief Referee” means the Director of the Employment Security Appeals Division Referee Section.

(13) “Counsel” means the Staff Assistant appointed by the Board pursuant to Section 31-237e(b) of the Connecticut General Statutes.

(14) “Employment Security Division” means the Employment Security Division of the Connecticut Labor Department.

(15) “Employment Security office” means the Public Employment Bureau or any other place designated by the Administrator for the filing of unemployment compensation claims pursuant to Section 31-240 of the Connecticut General Statutes.

(16) “Liable State” means any state against which an individual files, through another state, a claim for unemployment compensation benefits.

(17) “Party” means the following parties to an appeal:

(A) the claimant whose unemployment compensation claim is involved;

(B) an individual whose potential claim for unemployment compensation benefits is at issue and who is made a party by the Appeals Division;

(C) any employer (1) against whom charges may be made or tax liability assessed due to a decision by the Administrator or the Appeals Division and who has appealed that decision or who is made a party by the Appeals Division; or (2) from whom the claimant’s separation is an issue in the appeal;

(D) the Administrator.

(18) “Referee” means an Employment Security Appeals Division Appeals Referee Trainee, Associate Appeals Referee, Principal Appeals Referee, or Chief Appeals Referee.

(19) “Referee Section” means the organizational unit consisting of the Referees and all supporting staff employed for the discharge of the responsibilities assigned Referees pursuant to the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies and the Connecticut General Statutes.

(b) As used in Sections 31-237g-1 to 31-237g-60, inclusive, of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the present tense includes the past and future tenses, the future tense includes the present, each gender includes the other two genders, the singular includes the plural, the plural includes the singular.

(c) In regard to timeliness, unless otherwise specified in Sections 31-237g-1 to 31-237g-60, inclusive, of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies, the date on which a document is “filed” is the date on which such document is actually received by the office authorized and designated to receive such document, provided that a document filed by facsimile transmission (fax) or internet shall be considered received on a regular work day if the Appeals Division or Administrator’s receiving fax machine or computer indicates that it was received no later than 11:59 PM on that day. A fax or internet transmission received on a weekend or legal holiday shall be considered received on the next regular work day. A party filing a document by fax shall retain its fax transmission receipt and the original copy of the document for inspection by the Appeals Division. A party filing a document by internet shall produce a hard copy for inspection when requested by the Appeals Division. Any document filed by fax or internet shall contain a certification pursuant to Section 31-237g-10(a)(7) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies describing how and when a copy of the document was provided to all other parties.

(Effective June 23, 1986; Amended October 27, 1997; Amended June 3, 2021)

Sec. 31-237g-2. Appeals Division

Latest version.

(Statutory reference: 31-237b, 31-237c, 31-237e, 31-237f, 31- 237g, 31-249d)

(a) The Appeals Division controls the administrative appellate system for adjudicating appeals from determinations of the Administrator and consists of the Board of Review and the Referee Section. The Referee Section shall be subject to the Board’s administrative direction, supervision and control. Subject to the provisions of Chapter 67 of the Connecticut General Statutes, the Board may appoint such employees in the Appeals Division as it deems necessary to carry out the responsibilities of the Appeals Division provided the Board shall appoint a Counsel to the Board. In the performance of its duties the Appeals Division is autonomous and separate from the Administrator.

(b) The Board shall undertake such investigations as it deems necessary and consistent with the provisions of Chapter 567 of the Connecticut General Statutes. The Board shall consist of three members appointed by the Governor, one of which shall be designated as Chairperson of the Board of Review. Such Chairperson shall be in the classified service and devote full time to the duties of the office. The other two members appointed to serve during the appointing Governor’s term of office shall be a representative of employers and a representative of employees and shall devote full time to the duties of their offices. The members of the Board representing employers and employees shall be selected as representatives based upon previous vocation, employment or affiliation. A member of the Board may be removed by the Governor for cause pursuant to the Connecticut General Statutes. Any vacancy on the Board shall be filled by appointment by the Governor. In the case of a disqualification of a Board member, or at any time a member of the Board is incapacitated to serve, an alternate member appointed by the governor shall serve in place of the board member, provided that the alternate member so appointed shall represent the same interest as the board member in whose place he serves. The board may, at its option, require alternate members to sit with it in the fulfillment of any function of the board. The Counsel shall be qualified, by reason of such individual’s training, education and experience, to carry out the duties of the position, which include, but are not limited to, performing legal research for the Board, advising Referees on legal matters relating to procedural and substantive problems of hearings and appeals, assisting the Chairperson in preparing legislative amendments to unemployment compensation law pertaining to appellate matters, serving as Acting Chairperson of the Board in the Chairperson’s absence, and other related duties as required.

(c) No person serving as a Referee, Counsel, member of the Board, or legal staff to the board shall appear for or on behalf of any party, other than himself, before any other Referee or before the Board. No person serving as a Referee, Counsel, or member of the Board, or legal staff to the board shall appear in any court for or on behalf of any party, other than himself or the board, whose matter before the court consists of an appeal or other proceeding which commenced before one of the Referees or before the Board.

(Effective June 23, 1986; Amended October 27, 1997; Amended June 3, 2021)

Sec. 31-237g-3. Regulations; purpose of regulations

Latest version.

(Statutory reference: 31-237g, 31-238, 31-252)

(a) A copy of Sections 31-237g-1 to 31-237g-60, inclusive, of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies shall be available for purpose of inspection by the public at each Appeals Division office and on the website of the Connecticut Secretary of State.

(b) The Board adopts Sections 31-237g-1 to 31-237g-60, inclusive, of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies for the purpose of providing a procedural framework for the fair and expeditious disposition of appeals before the Appeals Division in accordance with both the Connecticut General Statutes and standards prescribed by the United States Department of Labor. Sections 31-237g-1 to 31-237g-60, inclusive, of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies shall govern such proceedings unless specifically otherwise provided by state or federal laws or regulations.

(c) The Board shall from time to time prescribe such forms as the Board deems necessary or useful for proper performance of the Appeals Division’s duties.

(Effective June 23, 1986; Amended June 3, 2021)

Sec. 31-237g-4. Chairperson of the Board; Acting Chairperson

Latest version.

(Statutory reference: 31-237d, 31-237f)

The Chairperson of the Board is the executive head of the Appeals Division. The Chairperson may delegate to any person employed in the Appeals Division such authority as the Chairperson deems reasonable and proper for the effective administration of the responsibilities of the Appeals Division. In the absence of the Chairperson, the Counsel shall automatically serve as Acting Chairperson.

(Effective June 23, 1986; Amended October 27, 1997; Amended June 3, 2021)

Sec. 31-237g-5. Referees; Chief Referee; Principal Referees

Latest version.

(Statutory reference: 31-237i, 31-237j)

(a) The Referee Section shall include such Referees as the Board deems necessary for the prompt processing of appeals and the performance of the duties set forth in Sections 31- 237g-1 to 31-237g-60, inclusive, of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies and the Connecticut General Statutes. Each such Referee shall be appointed by the Board and shall be in the classified service of the State. Any vacancy in the office of Referee shall be filled through appointment by the Board. Each Referee shall have statewide jurisdiction and venue. Any Referee may, at any time, serve in place of any other Referee with regard to any appeal, provided the succeeding Referee shall review the entire file and hearing record of such appeal, including such records prepared by any preceding Referee, before issuing a decision addressing the merits of such appeal. In any case before the Referee Section, the Chief Referee, upon his own initiative or the request of any party, may direct that the appeal be heard and the decision issued by a panel of Referees. In any case before the Board the Board may delegate to a Referee the taking or hearing of evidence or such other matters. A Referee may provide assistance and advice to the Board or any of its members in the discharge of their duties, except that no Referee shall provide advice in any matter before the Board in which that Referee was previously involved at the first level of appeal.

(b) The Chairperson of the Board shall designate from among the Referees a Chief Referee. The Chief Referee shall be in the classified service. The Chief Referee shall be the administrative head of the Referee Section and may delegate to any Referee or any person employed in the Referee Section such authority as the Chief Referee deems reasonable and proper for the effective administration of the Chief Referee’s duties.

(Effective January 1, 1988; Amended October 27, 1997; Amended June 3, 2021)

Sec. 31-237g-6. Decisions of the Appeals Division; electronic index of Board decisions

Latest version.

(Statutory reference: 31-238, 31-249f, 31-252, 1-15)

(a) Final decisions of the Referees and the principles of law declared in their support shall be binding upon the Administrator and shall further be persuasive authority in subsequent Referee proceedings. Final decisions of the Board shall be binding as precedent in all subsequent proceedings involving similar questions.

(b) The Board shall provide the public electronic access to its decisions through an indexing system that provides text retrieval. Such system shall enable the user to identify, read, and copy board decisions based upon the name of the parties; date of decision; citation to statutes, regulations, court cases, or prior board decisions; subject matter; and whether the decisions have been identified by the board as precedential.

(Effective June 23, 1986; Amended October 27, 1997; Amended June 3, 2021)

Sec. 31-237g-7. Appeals Division records

Latest version.

(Statutory reference: 1-18d, 4-18d, 1-19(b) (2), 31-244a, 31-254)

(a) The Appeals Division shall maintain written file records summarizing all material requests, reports, notifications and decisions on such requests which occur between the Appeals Division and any person outside the Appeals Division concerning any appeal before the Appeals Division, provided that any such person initiating such communication with the Appeals Division identifies himself or herself, the appeal name and number in question, and his or her relationship to such appeal. All oral requests considered by the Appeals Division shall be promptly decided and the person making such request shall be promptly notified of such decision. The file record summarizing all such oral communication shall indicate: the date and time such communication occurred; the name and case number of the appeal involved; the identity of the Appeals Division staff member involved; the name, telephone number, title and relationship to the appeal of the other person involved in such communication; the report, request, notification or decision in such communication; the response, if any, to such report, request, notification or decision. Except for communications dealing with procedural or scheduling matters, the Appeals Division shall not engage in any ex parte communication with any person outside the Appeals Division concerning any appeal pending before the Appeals Division unless all parties either are permitted to simultaneously participate in such communication, or have waived their right to so participate. The Appeals Division shall document for the file record the attempt of any person to engage in such ex parte communication.

(b) Each document concerning an appeal before the Appeals Division shall immediately be: (1) date-stamped upon receipt by the Appeals Division or Employment Security office involved to indicate the date when, and the office where, such document or correspondence was actually received, (2) forwarded to the Appeals Division office involved, and (3) included in the appropriate appeal file upon receipt by such Appeals Division office. The written information, exhibits, data, and other documentary file records of any appeal before the Appeals Division shall, subject to the provisions of subsection (c) and (d) of this section and except for those items exempt from disclosure pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, be available for inspection upon the premises of the Appeals Division office containing such material during regular Appeals Division hours. At any time subsequent to the decision on an appeal becoming final, any party to such an appeal, or the attorney or authorized agent for such party, may in writing request the return of any original documentary exhibits filed with the Appeals Division . Subject to the provisions of subsection (c) of this section, the Appeals Division shall return such original documents to the requesting party after insuring that duplicates of such documents are maintained in the file record. To facilitate a timely response, each such written request shall be prepared in accordance with subsection (j) of this section, but any document which constitutes such a written request within the meaning of the Freedom of Information Act shall be acceptable.

(c) Except as provided in Section 31-237g-6(c) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies, and subsection (d) of this section, all written information, exhibits, data and other documentary file records of any appeal before the Appeals Division may be destroyed by the Appeals Division if the decision upon such appeal has become final, the appeal has been on file with the Appeals Division for no less than three years, and the destruction is done in accordance with the applicable federal and state records retention statutes.

(d) The Appeals Division may, six months after the hearing on a case that has not been appealed to the board, erase the official recording of the hearing, provided that such erasure is done in compliance with the applicable federal and state records retention statutes and a copy of such official recording is promptly prepared and furnished to any person who, prior to such erasure, files with the Board a written request for such recording. To facilitate a timely response, each such written request shall be prepared in accordance with subsection (j) of this section, but any document which constitutes such a written request within the meaning of the Freedom of Information Act shall be acceptable.

(e) Copies of any decision subject to inspection pursuant to Section 31-237g-6(b) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies shall be promptly furnished by the Appeals Division to any person who files with the Appeals Division a written request for such decision copies. To facilitate a timely response each such written request shall be (1) prepared in accordance with subsection (j) of this section; (2) specifically identify each such decision by name, case number and date of issuance, and (3) contain an agreement to pay the duplication charges authorized in the Connecticut General Statutes, but any document which constitutes such a written request within the meaning of the Freedom of Information Act shall be complied with.

(f) Copies of any documents subject to inspection pursuant to subsection (b) of this section shall be promptly furnished by such Appeals Division office to any person who files with such office a written request for such document copies. To facilitate a timely response each such written request shall (1) be prepared in accordance with subsection (j) of this section, (2) specifically identify each such document, and (3) contain an agreement to pay the duplication charges authorized in the Connecticut General Statutes, but any document which constitutes such a written request within the meaning of the Freedom of Information Act shall be complied with.

(g) The Appeals Division may furnish to any party, or the attorney or authorized agent for such party, a transcript of any hearing held before the Appeals Division upon written request if the ends of justice warrant and the administrative capabilities and obligations of the Appeals Division at that time so permit . Any such written request shall (1) be prepared in accordance with subsection (j) of this section, (2) explain the good cause alleged to support the requirement of preparing and furnishing such a transcript, and (3) contain the requesting party’s agreement to pay the actual cost of preparing the transcript. The cost for the preparation and furnishing of any transcript shall be set and paid in accordance with subsection (i) of this section.

(h) The request, or inability, to (1) inspect the Appeals Division file, (2) obtain a copy of the recording of the Referee’s hearing record, (3) obtain copies of decisions, (4) obtain copies of documentary file records, or obtain a transcript, shall not stay or toll any time limitations relating to proceedings upon an appeal before the Appeals Division. However, a party, or the attorney or authorized agent for such party, may request a postponement of proceedings or a limited extension of time in which to supply further argument or information supplementing any appeal, motion, request or other correspondence which is timely filed concerning such appeal.

(i) The charges for plain copies of decisions subject to inspection pursuant to Section 31-237g-6(b) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies or any documentary file record subject to inspection pursuant to subsection (b) of this section shall be set and paid in accordance with the appropriate provisions of the Connecticut General Statutes. The charge for a copy of the official recording of the Referee’s hearing shall be five dollars ($5.00) per compact disc or similar medium, provided that the total charge shall not exceed ten dollars ($10.00). Charges for the preparation of transcripts shall be the actual cost of preparing each such transcript. The party, attorney or authorized agent who requests an official hearing recording or transcript is responsible for payment to the Appeals Division of any related charges. Charges for copies of data maintained in the Appeals Division’s computer storage system shall be in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Connecticut General Statutes. The Appeals Division may require advance payment of any duplication charges or transcript preparation charges before preparing and furnishing such duplications or transcripts. The Appeals Division may waive any fee required under this section if it determines that the party requesting such decision or file record copies, official recording or transcript is an indigent individual, or that such waiver would benefit the general welfare.

(j) To facilitate a timely response, each request for Appeals Division records filed pursuant to this section shall (1) be on a separate sheet or sheets of paper independent from other documents; (2) be typed or legibly printed; (3) be adequately titled so as to clearly reveal its intended purpose; (4) contain sufficient identifying information to describe the file involved including the case number; the claimant’s name, address, zip code and social security number, if applicable; the employer’s name, address, zip code and employment security registration number, if applicable; (5) show the name, address and identity (for example: “claimant,” “employer,” or “Administrator”) of the party filing such document; (6) clearly specify the record or records being requested; and (7) be signed by the party filing such document or the attorney or authorized agent for such party, but any document which constitutes such a written request within the meaning of the Freedom of Information Act shall be acceptable insofar as form is concerned.

(Effective June 23, 1986; Amended October 27, 1997; Amended June 3, 2021)

Sec. 31-237g-8. Administrator as a party

Latest version.

(Statutory reference: 31-237h, 31-249c)

The Administrator shall be deemed a party to any proceeding before the Appeals Division. The Appeals Division shall have access to all Employment Security records necessary for the performance of the Appeals Division’s duties pursuant to Sections 31-237g-1 to 31-237g-60, inclusive, of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies and the Connecticut General Statutes. Copies of all documents and correspondence which the Administrator is entitled to concerning any proceeding before the Appeals Division shall, unless otherwise specified, be mailed or delivered to: “Administrator’s Appeals Representative, Connecticut Department of Labor, Office of Program Policy, 200 Folly Brook Boulevard, Wethersfield, Connecticut 06109.”

(Effective June 23, 1986; Amended October 27, 1997; Amended June 3, 2021)

Sec. 31-237g-9. Responsibilities of parties; notification upon change of address or name

Latest version.

(Statutory reference: §§ 31-237h, 21-249c)

It is the responsibility of each party to an appeal before the Appeals Division to keep the specific Appeals Division office involved notified of all changes of such party’s name or address, and in the event that such party has, or in the exercise of ordinary prudence should have, reason to believe that it will be difficult for such party to timely receive any correspondence sent to such party’s address to either (1) make private arrangements to insure that such party receives immediate notification as to the content of such correspondence, or (2) make adequate arrangements with, and acceptable to, the specific Appeals Division office involved, to enable such office to provide the party with timely notice, by telephone or otherwise, as to any aspect of the appeal proceedings.

(Effective January 1, 1988; Amended June 3, 2021)

Sec. 31-237g-10. Responsibilities of parties; form of documents submitted to the Appeals Division

Latest version.

(a) Each motion, request or other written document filed with the Appeals Division shall, unless otherwise specified:

(1) be on a separate sheet or sheets of paper independent from other documents;

(2) be typed or legibly printed;

(3) be adequately titled so as to clearly reveal its intended purpose;

(4) contain sufficient identifying information to describe the file involved including the case number; the claimant’s name, address, zip code and social security number, if applicable; the employer’s name, address, zip code and employment security registration number, if applicable;

(5) show the name and identity (for example: “claimant,” “employer,” or “Administrator”) of the party filing such document;

(6) be signed by the party filing such document or the attorney or authorized agent for such party; and

(7) describe on the last page when and how a copy of such document was provided to each other party, plus the attorney and authorized agent of record for each other such party, and a copy of such document shall be delivered or mailed postage prepaid to each other such party, attorney and authorized agent, including the Administrator, no later than the date that such document was filed with the Appeals Division. In the event, however, that any such document does not contain such a description of the manner in which a copy of such document was provided to the other parties and the Appeals Division determines that such document supplements or affects the case in a material way, the Appeals Division shall immediately provide a copy of such document to each other party and the attorney and authorized agent of record for each other such party, or the Appeals Division may itself provide a copy or electronic access to the document. An appeal to the Referee, the Board or Superior Court need not contain such a description, and a copy of such appeal need not be delivered or mailed to each other party, attorney and authorized agent.

(b) Any document filed which is so incomplete or illegible as to render it impossible for the Appeals Division to determine the identity of the party submitting same shall be void and shall not be acted upon by the Appeals Division.

(c) Subject to the provisions of Sections 31-237g-34(c) and 31-237-49(c) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies, any document filed from which the Appeals Division can determine the identity of the party submitting same but which is otherwise so incomplete, illegible, vague, unsigned or inadequately titled that the Appeals Division is unsure as to the purpose or legitimacy of such document shall be treated and processed as the Appeals Division reasonably deems proper including, but not limited to, request by the Appeals Division for clarification or personal signature or other authorization and the setting of reasonable time limits for response to such requests.

(d) Any appeal, motion, request, or other document filed with the Appeals Division which cites any judicial or administrative decision or opinion for which a citation is not included to the Connecticut Reports, Connecticut Supplement, Connecticut Appellate Reports, Connecticut Law Journal, Connecticut Law Tribune, Commerce Clearing House Unemployment Insurance Reporter, Federal Reporter, Federal Supplement, The West Publishing Company Regional Reporters, United States Reports, Supreme Court Reporter or the identifying information provided for such decision or opinion in the Manual of Precedential Decisions or Index of Board Decisions prepared by the Board pursuant to Section 31-237g-6(b) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies, shall include a complete copy of such decision or opinion with such document. The Appeals Division may refuse to consider or address any such decision or opinion for which such citation or complete copy is not so provided.

(e) It is the responsibility of each party, attorney and authorized agent in any appeal before the Appeals Division to immediately provide the specific Appeals Division office involved with written notification, including correction, if any identifying information listed on any correspondence issued by the Administrator or the Appeals Division concerning such party, attorney or authorized agent is inaccurate.

(Effective June 23, 1986; Amended October 27, 1997; Amended June 3, 2021)

Sec. 31-237g-11. Representation by attorney or agent; authorization; notice; fees; amicus curiae

Latest version.

(Statutory reference: 31-272(b) (2))

(a) Right to Representation. Any party to a proceeding before the Appeals Division may be represented by an attorney or an authorized agent, or both, provided that at any hearing before the Appeals Division, the Referee or the Chairperson, as the case may be, may limit oral participation during such hearing to only one such representative of each party designated by that party. Any individual, corporation, partnership or other association may, subject to the provisions of subsection (e) of this section, serve as a party’s authorized agent provided that any authorized agent that represents a party for a fee shall comply with Sections 31-272-1 to 31-272-18, inclusive of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies. The Appeals Division may refuse to provide a second hearing to any party who, without good cause, fails to obtain representation for the original hearing and thereafter alleges that a second hearing is necessary to allow such party the benefit of such representation.

(b) Notice of Representation. If the file record of any proceeding before the Appeals Division indicates that any party has been represented in such proceeding by an attorney or an authorized agent, or both, such representation shall be considered to be of record for the Appeals Division’s purposes concerning such proceeding unless and until a written withdrawal of such representation signed by such party is filed with the specific Appeals Division office involved or a new representative is substituted. Except as otherwise herein provided, the Appeals Division may refuse to accept any document or other communication, written or oral, from any individual or entity on behalf of any party unless such communication to the Appeals Division is preceded or accompanied by a written statement personally signed by such party designating such individual or entity as authorized agent of record for such named party with regard to such proceedings before the Appeals Division. A written statement signed by an attorney announcing representation of a named party with regard to specifically identified proceedings before the Appeals Division shall constitute sufficient notification to the Appeals Division of such attorney’s status as representative of record for that party during such proceedings.

(c) Copies to Representative. Whenever the file record of any proceeding before the Appeals Division indicates that a party is represented by an attorney or an authorized agent, or both, the Appeals Division shall send to each such attorney and agent a copy of all correspondence, notices or decisions simultaneous with the provision of such materials to the party. Notice to such attorney or agent shall constitute effective notice to such party.

(d) Setting of Fee for Representation. The cost of representation permitted by this section shall be the expense of the party obtaining such representation. The Appeals Division shall set a maximum fee for representation of a claimant:

(1) upon request by the claimant or the claimant’s representative during proceedings upon the appeal or at any time prior to the decision on the appeal becoming final or within thirty (30) days following a claimant’s receipt of the written charged expense for such representation; or

(2) upon the initiative of the Referee or the Board.

(3) If the issue of an approvable claimant representation fee is raised and fully heard at an evidentiary hearing upon the appeal, the Appeals Division decision upon the appeal shall set an approved fee.

(4) If the issue of an approvable claimant representation fee is raised by the filing of a written objection to charged claimant representation fees or the filing of a written request for the setting of an approved fee and not otherwise covered at a hearing, the Referee or the Board, as the case may be, shall provide to both the claimant and the claimant representative involved notice of such matter and both the claimant and the representative shall have the right, and such notice shall advise them of the right, to file with such Referee or the Board not more than ten (10) days after the date of such notice, written argument, request for an evidentiary hearing and, in the case of such a matter before the Board, request for decision of such matter by the full, three-member Board. Following the expiration of such ten (10) day time limit the Referee or the Board may, on its own initiative or in response to a timely request, schedule an evidentiary hearing and the hearing and subsequent decision on such fee issue shall occur as with any appeal. If a hearing is not granted, the Referee or the Board shall, following the expiration of said ten (10) day time limit, review such matter on the record and issue a decision which shall address any such written argument and requests timely filed .

(5) In determining approvable fees for claimant representation, consideration will be given to several factors including, but not limited to:

(A) any initial fee arrangement mutually agreed to by the claimant and the representative,

(B) the time necessarily expended by the representative,

(D) the skill of the service provided,

(E) the results obtained, in comparison to the amount of benefits involved, and

(F) the financial resources of the claimant concerned.

(6) Except in extraordinary cases, an approvable fee may not exceed twenty percent of the benefits potentially payable to the claimant as a result of the claim under adjudication plus reasonable and necessary costs. In separation cases, the benefits potentially payable are the greater of either the sum of the claimant’s weekly benefit amount multiplied by the average weekly duration of unemployment for the previous year as determined by the department of labor or the total benefits actually collected at the time of the request to the board to determine the amount of the attorney’s fee.

(7) The time limitations and procedures specifically provided in this subsection for objections to charged claimant representation fees shall not affect, stay or toll the time limitations for the disposition of appeals by the Appeals Division. The Appeals Division’s decision on claimant representation fees may be appealed in accordance with the same time limits and procedures for the adjudication of appeals.

(e) Responsibility of Represented Party. Representation by an attorney or authorized agent shall not relieve any party of the responsibility to present at a duly scheduled hearing testimony from all individuals with actual personal knowledge of the facts involved. A represented party may be deemed to be bound by the representation afforded that party by the representative during proceedings before the Appeals Division.

(f) Amicus Curiae. The Appeals Division may, upon its own motion or upon written request, permit any person, organization or entity which the Appeals Division reasonably determines represents a constituency which would be significantly affected by such decision or which has specialized knowledge or expertise on the subject involved, to serve as an amicus curiae under such terms as the Appeals Division may reasonably provide. Each such request shall be filed by means of a typed or legibly printed document which shall (1) be clearly entitled “Request for Leave to Intervene as Amicus Curiae”; (2) describe why the requesting person, organization or entity would be qualified to serve as such an amicus curiae, the constituency if any, which would be represented and, if applicable, why such constituency would not otherwise be adequately represented unless such request was granted; (3) describe why the decision eventually issued in such proceeding will be of significant precedential value, and (4) otherwise follow the guidelines set forth in Section 31-237g-10(a) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies. If the Appeals Division grants such a request, notice of that decision will be issued in accordance with Section 31-327g-13 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies and thereafter during the pendency of its authorized involvement such amicus curiae shall be entitled to the same notice due each party to such proceeding. However, unless an amicus curiae becomes a representative of record for a party actually aggrieved by the eventual decision, such amicus curiae is without standing to exercise appeal rights with regard to such decision.

(Effective January 1, 1988; Amended October 27, 1997; Amended June 3, 2021)

Sec. 31-237g-12. Formal pleadings not permitted

Latest version.

(Statutory reference: 31-244a)

Except as provided in Sections 31-237g-1 to 31-237g-60, inclusive, of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies, formal pleadings or discovery proceedings such as allowed in other civil proceedings shall not be permitted in proceedings before the Appeals Division.

(Effective June 23, 1986; Amended June 3, 2021)

Sec. 31-237g-13. Notices from the Appeals Division

Latest version.

(a) A copy of each written decision or notice issued by the Appeals Division shall, unless otherwise specified:

(1) be typed;

(2) be adequately titled so as to clearly reveal its intended purpose;

(3) list the address and telephone number of the specific Appeals Division office which issued the document;

(4) include the following identifying information: the claimant’s name, address and social security number, if applicable; the employer’s name, address and registration number, if applicable; the names and addresses of all attorneys and authorized agents of record with an indication of the party so represented; the case number and the date that such decision or notice was issued;

(5) list the name and authority of the individual issuing such decision or notice;

(6) with regard to decisions, clearly state the nature of the decision and contain an announcement of the appeal rights, if any, pertaining to such decision; and

(7) be sent by the Appeals Division simultaneously to all parties, attorneys, and authorized agents of record at their address of record promptly following its preparation. Upon request, any party, attorney or authorized agent may obtain any such copy at the office of the Appeals Division which issued the decision or notice on the same date that such copies are otherwise provided to all parties, attorneys and authorized agents and in such instance the person receiving such hand-delivered copy shall sign a receipt for such delivery which shall become a part of the file record.

(Effective January 1, 1988; Amended October 27, 1997; Amended June 3, 2021)

Sec. 31-237g-14. Appeal to the Referee; resources

Latest version.

(Statutory reference: 31-238, 31-241, 31-249c, 31-244a)

The Administrator shall provide, at each Employment Security office electronic access to Sections 31-237g-1 to 31-237g-60, inclusive, of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies and to board decisions through an indexing system and forms prescribed by the Board for the filing of appeals for parties who are appealing decisions of the Administrator or the Appeals Division.

(Effective June 23, 1986; Amended October 27, 1997; Amended June 3, 2021)

Sec. 31-237g-15. Appeal to the Referee; time and place for filing; jurisdiction of Referees

Latest version.

(Statutory reference: Secs. 31-241 and 31-237j)

(a) Except as otherwise provided by law, the Administrator’s decision shall be final unless a party aggrieved by the decision files, not more than twenty-one (21) days after the date such decision was sent to such party’s last-known address, an appeal to the Referee with an office of Employment Security, the Appeals Division or any similar employment security agency of any other state in which such party is located at the time of filing. The appeal rights of an employer shall be limited to the first notice such employer is given in connection with a claim which sets forth its appeal rights. Any appeal may be filed in person, by facsimile transmission (fax), by internet or by mail but to be acceptable as a timely filed appeal it must actually be received at such office no later than the twenty-first (21) calendar day following the date on which the Administrator’s determination was sent to the parties’ addresses of record pursuant to Section 31-241 of the Connecticut General Statutes, must bear a legible United States postal service postmark which indicates that within such twenty-one (21) day period it was placed in the possession of the postal authorities for delivery to the appropriate office, or must be received by fax or by internet as set forth in Section 31-237g-1(c) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies. Posting dates attributable to private postage meters shall not be considered in determining the timeliness of appeals filed by mail. If said twenty-first (21) day falls on a day when the office in which the appeal was filed was not open for business, then such last day shall be extended to the next business day of such office. It is generally advisable, to the extent that it can be accomplished within the allotted twenty-one (21) day period, to file such appeal with the specific Employment Security office which rendered the decision. Any appeal filed after the twenty-one (21) day period has expired may be considered to be timely filed if the filing party shows good cause for the late filing.

(b) For purposes of this section, a party has good cause for failing to file an appeal not more than twenty-one (21) calendar days after the Administrator’s determination was sent to the party if a reasonably prudent individual under the same or similar circumstances would have been prevented from filing a timely appeal. In determining whether good cause has been shown, the Referee shall consider all relevant factors, including but not limited to:

(1) The extent to which the party has demonstrated diligence in its previous dealings with Administrator and the Employment Security Appeals Division;

(2) Whether the party was represented;

(3) The degree of the party’s familiarity with the procedures of the Appeals Division;

(4) Whether the party received timely and adequate notice of the need to act;

(5) Administrative error by the Administrator or Employment Security Appeals Division; or the failure of the Administrator, the Appeals Division, or any other party to discharge its responsibilities;

(6) Factors outside the control of the party which prevented a timely action;

(7) The party’s physical or mental impairment;

(8) Whether the party acted diligently in filing an appeal once the reason for the late filing no longer existed:

(9) Where there is substantial prejudice to an adverse party which prevents such party from adequately presenting its case, the total length of time that the action was untimely;

(10) Coercion or intimidation which prevented the party from promptly filing its appeal; and

(11) Good faith error, provided that in determining whether good faith error constitutes good cause the Referee shall consider the extent of prejudice to any other party, any prior history of late filing due to such error, whether the appeal is excessively late, and whether the party otherwise acted with due diligence.

(c) The Referees shall have jurisdiction over appeals from all determinations made pursuant to chapter 567 of the Connecticut General Statutes, including appeals from determinations regarding employer tax liability, except those involving only a determination of the amount of contributions due made pursuant to Section 31-270 of the Connecticut General Statutes, or pursuant to directives of the United States of America and the Secretary of Labor of the United States. Unless otherwise specifically provided by statute or regulation, the appeal period for all such determinations shall be as set forth in subsection (a) and (b) of this section.

(Effective January 1, 1988; Amended October 27, 1997; Amended June 3, 2021)

Sec. 31-237g-16. Processing of appeal to the Referee

Latest version.

(Statutory reference: 31-237h, 31-238, 31-249c, 31-244a)

(a) Each appeal to the Referee from a decision of the Administrator shall be filed through a mechanism specified by the Appeals Division or by means of a document which clearly indicates a desire for appellate review of such decision and which shall be prepared in substantial compliance with the guidelines set forth in Section 31-237g-10(a) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies.

(b) Immediately upon receipt of an appeal to the Referee the Employment Security office involved shall:

(1) stamp the appeal, and the supplemental documentation accompanying the appeal, to indicate the date and the office where such appeal was filed;

(2) if necessary, forward such appeal, and all documentation accompanying the appeal, to the Employment Security office maintaining the file records concerning the Administrator’s decision involved.

(c) Immediately upon receipt of an appeal to the Referee at the Employment Security office maintaining the file records concerning the Administrator’s decision involved, such Employment Security office shall provide to such Appeals Division office as the Appeals Division shall direct to be the appropriate office for prompt processing of such appeal: the original appeal together with all the information, documentation and records which the Appeals Division reasonably requires for the prompt and proper disposition of the appeal by the Appeals Division. The Employment Security office involved shall maintain duplicate copies of all such documentary file records provided to the Appeals Division.

(Effective June 23, 1986; Amended October 27, 1997; Amended June 3, 2021)

Sec. 31-237g-17. Scheduling of hearing; notice of hearing

Latest version.

(Statutory reference: 31-237j, 31-242, 31-244a)

(a) Upon receipt of a timely appeal to the Referee Section from a determination of the Administrator, the Referee Section shall assign the appeal a case number and promptly schedule a hearing upon such appeal at such time, date and place, if applicable, and in such manner as the Referee Section deems necessary to give each party a reasonable opportunity for a fair hearing. Referee hearings shall be conducted by telephone or other electronic means, except that the Appeals Division may prescribe an in-person hearing if necessary to fairly adjudicate the appeal. However, any party to the appeal or its attorney or authorized agent may, after providing notice to the office of the Appeals Division which scheduled the appeal, appear in person. The hearing notice shall inform the parties of their right to appear in person.

(b) Written notice of the date, time, manner and place, if applicable, of each hearing scheduled before a Referee shall be sent to each party’s address of record and to the attorney and authorized agent of record for such party not less than seven (7) days prior to the scheduled hearing date provided the parties may waive such notice and agree to a shorter period of time in advance of hearing for receiving such notice. Each such written notice shall:

(1) be prepared in accordance with Section 31-237g-13(a) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies;

(2) list the telephone number of the Appeals Division office which issued the notice;

(3) contain, or be accompanied by, a written statement which summarizes the basic rights and responsibilities of the parties concerning such hearing;

(4) provide notice of the issues which may be covered at such hearing and the sections of the Connecticut General Statutes or other law relating to such issues including a statement as to the legal authority and jurisdiction under which the hearing is to be held; and

(5) be accompanied by copies of any Appeals Division records concerning such appeal that are not made available to the parties in electronic format.

(Effective June 23, 1986; Amended October 27, 1997; Amended June 3, 2021)

Sec. 31-237g-18. Rescheduling; postponements

Latest version.

(a) Due to existing requirements for the prompt disposition of unemployment compensation appeals, a hearing scheduled before a Referee may, for good cause, be rescheduled by the Appeals Division to another date, time or location only upon the initiative of the Appeals Division or upon a request from a party, or the attorney or authorized agent for such party, which reveals good cause for such request. Such a request need not be in writing, but shall be promptly made as far as possible in advance of the scheduled hearing and describe the good cause alleged for the request. Such a request shall be made to the Appeals Division office which issued the notice of hearing. The Appeals Division may require that the reasons given in oral rescheduling requests be subsequently confirmed in writing or sworn affidavit by the party, attorney, or authorized agent who made the request. The Appeals Division may deny any request that is not based upon good cause or that is not timely made. Each authorized agent that represents parties for a fee shall comply with Section 31-272-4 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies in making such a request. The Appeals Division shall, with regard to each such rescheduling request, promptly decide the request and record the following in the appeal file: (1) the person making such request; (2) the party on whose behalf the request was made; (3) the date and time such request was received; (4) the good cause alleged for such request; (5) the decision upon such request and the reasons therefor; (6) the manner in which such decision was conveyed to the requesting party; and (7) the name of the Appeals Division staff member involved with such communication. The Appeals Division’s decision denying such a rescheduling request need not otherwise be in writing.

(b) Upon rescheduling any hearing, the Appeals Division shall:

(1) promptly make a reasonable effort to orally notify each party, attorney and authorized agent of record as to the rescheduling if it is reasonable to assume that mailed written notice of such rescheduling would not timely arrive, and record in the file record the date and time of such notification and the person to whom such notification was conveyed; and

(2) confirm such rescheduling with a written notice of rescheduling which shall be sent to all parties and list the following information: the party who made the request, the good cause alleged for the request, and, if known, the new day, date, time and place for the rescheduled hearing. If such notice indicates the new day, date, time and place of such hearing, such notice shall be in lieu of reissued notice otherwise required by Section 31-236g-17 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies.

(c) Any party aggrieved by the Referee’s decision on a rescheduling request may petition for review of such decision but only as a part of any subsequent petition which addresses the Referee’s eventual decision on the appeal by way of either an appeal to the Board or a motion to the Referee to reopen, vacate, set aside or modify. However, any party which objects to a Referee’s decision on a rescheduling request shall, at the earliest opportunity, provide such objection in writing to the Appeals Division office involved and state such objection on the record at the hearing held subsequent to such request.

(Effective January 1, 1988; Amended October 27, 1997; Amended June 3, 2021)

Sec. 31-237g-19. Stipulations; official notice; consolidated proceedings

Latest version.

(a) The parties to a proceeding before a Referee may stipulate to agreement upon facts or procedures and the Referee may accept such stipulations if the Referee determines such stipulations to be consistent with the actual facts, the law and the requirements of Sections 31- 237g-1 to 31-237g-60, inclusive, of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies.

(b) The Referee may take official notice of judicially cognizable facts and generally recognized, technical, or scientific facts within the Referee’s specialized knowledge. Any facts officially noticed shall be specifically identified as such in the Referee’s decision. Any party who (1) is aggrieved by a Referee’s decision which incorporates a fact which was officially noticed by the Referee but not specifically addressed at the Referee’s hearing, and (2) disputes such fact officially noticed may, pursuant to Sections 31-237g-34 and 31-237g-35 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies, file a Motion to Reopen such case for purposes of scheduling a further evidentiary hearing on such case. If the Motion is timely filed and specifically alleges such conditions, the Referee shall grant such Motion.

(c) For good cause, any number of proceedings before the Referee may, at the initiative of the Referee or at the request of a party, be consolidated for hearing, review or decision provided that the referee notifies the parties of the Referee’s intention to consolidate and the reasons therefor and provides the parties a reasonable opportunity to object. A referee’s decision to consolidate is not separately appealable but is subject to a motion to reopen or may be made an additional ground for appeal from the referee’s final decision on the merits. For purposes of this subsection, good cause includes but is not limited to: (1) the facts and circumstances of each case are substantially similar, (2) the legal issues are related, (3) such consolidation will not unduly complicate the issues involved, (4) consolidation will aid the referee in creating a more complete record or resolving complex or significant issues of law, and (5) no substantial right of any party will be significantly prejudiced.

(d) The board may request that a party sign a written stipulation which (1) waives such party’s claim to an individual and separate hearing, review and decision; (2) appoints one or more individuals or entities to serve as representatives of such party for purposes of any hearing or review held; and (3) binds such party by the representation so afforded during such proceedings. Any stipulation for consolidation signed by a claimant at the time of filing a claim for benefits or subsequent thereto which recites that the stipulation shall remain in effect during the pendency of any appeal before the Referee or Board shall be valid.

(Effective January 1, 1988; Amended October 27, 1997; Amended June 3, 2021)

Sec. 31-237g-20. Request for remand by Administrator

Latest version.

(a) After an appeal to the Referee is filed, the Referee may, upon the written request of the Administrator, remand the appeal to the Administrator for purposes of reconsideration by the Administrator provided the request is prepared in accordance with Section 31-237g-10(a) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies and the request is received by the Appeals Division office involved prior to the Referee’s decision being issued on such appeal. Such a remand may issue without any hearing before the Referee. The general provisions of Section 31-237g-34(a) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies to the contrary notwithstanding, a Referee’s decision on a request for remand by the Administrator is not subject to appeal but may be subject to a motion to reopen.

(b) A Referee’s decision remanding an appeal pursuant to subsection (a) of this section shall be prepared and delivered in accordance with Section 31-237g-13 and shall include a reference to the request approved, but need not otherwise comply with Section 31- 237g-33(b) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies. In granting such a request for remand, the Referee may retain jurisdiction of the appeal. If the Referee retains jurisdiction, upon the issuance of a new determination by the Administrator, the Referee shall provide all parties to the appeal an opportunity to be heard and shall thereafter issue a decision affirming, reversing or modifying the Administrator’s determination, provided that the Referee shall not issue a decision if all parties to the appeal consent to the withdrawal of the appeal. If the Referee does not retain jurisdiction, the Administrator’s new determination shall inform the aggrieved party of its right to file a new appeal from the determination.

(c) A Referee’s decision denying a request for remand by the Administrator shall state the reason for such denial and be either separately prepared and delivered in accordance with Section 31-237g- 13 (a) or incorporated in the Referee’s decision on the appeal.

(Effective January 1, 1988; Amended October 27, 1997; Amended June 3, 2021)

Sec. 31-237g-21. Subpoenas

Latest version.

(Statutory reference: 31-245, 31-246, 31-247)

(a) The Referee may, upon the referee’s own initiative or at the request of a party filed pursuant to this section, issue subpoenas to compel the attendance of witnesses at any hearing before the Referee for the purpose of providing testimony or physical evidence, or both, if the Referee determines that issuance of such subpoena is necessary to fairly adjudicate the appeal. Service of such subpoenas shall be made in accordance with Connecticut law and, unless otherwise arranged with the requesting party, the Appeals Division shall take responsibility for service of each subpoena issued by a Referee.

(b) Any party may request the Referee to issue a subpoena to compel the attendance at the Referee’s hearing of any proposed witness for the purpose of providing testimony or physical evidence, or both. Such a request need not be in writing, but shall be promptly made as far as possible in advance of the scheduled hearing. In the absence of a properly issued subpoena, attendance at a Referee’s hearing by any party or other person is not mandatory. Therefore it is the responsibility of each party which intends or desires to examine or cross-examine any other party or person to request the issuance of a subpoena to insure the attendance of such other party or person at the Referee’s hearing. The Appeals Division may require that the reasons given in oral subpoena requests be subsequently confirmed in writing or sworn affidavit by the party, attorney, or authorized agent who made the request. Each request shall:

(1) reveal the name of each such witness and the location, or locations, where each witness can be served;

(2) identify and describe all physical evidence requested and indicate why it is believed that the witness in question has control of such material;

(3) explain why each such witness and item of physical evidence is necessary to the Referee’s adjudication of the appeal; and

(4) indicate why such witness or physical evidence will be unavailable unless the requested subpoena is issued by the Referee.

(c) The Referee shall promptly decide each such subpoena request and notify the requesting party of the decision. Notice of such decision need not be in writing, but such notification shall be recorded in the appeal file. The Referee may discuss such request with the opposing party or the proposed witness, or both, for purposes of obtaining the attendance of such proposed witness at the hearing by stipulation in lieu of subpoena. The Referee may refuse to grant a request for issuance of such a subpoena from a party who is, at the time such request is made, represented by an attorney with independent subpoena authority sufficient to issue such a subpoena. Any party aggrieved by the Referee’s decision on a subpoena request may petition for review of such decision, but only as a part of any subsequent petition which addresses the Referee’s eventual decision on the appeal by way of either an appeal to the Board or a motion to the Referee to reopen, vacate, set aside or modify.

(d) If any person refuses to obey a subpoena issued by the Referee, the Referee may request the Attorney General to make application to the Superior Court for an order requiring such person to appear before the Referee to provide testimony or the physical evidence in question.

(e) Subject to the approval of the Chairperson of the Board, witnesses appearing before a Referee pursuant to a subpoena issued by the Referee shall be allowed fees as provided by Connecticut law in civil actions.

(f) If the Referee determines that the fair adjudication of an appeal before such Referee requires the issuance of a subpoena in a jurisdiction beyond Connecticut, such Referee shall so inform the Chairperson of the Board of Review and the Chairperson shall thereupon request the appropriate authorities of such jurisdiction to issue the subpoena, or to take such other action as will reasonably resolve the need for same.

(Effective June 23, 1986; Amended June 3, 2021)

Sec. 31-237g-22. Responsibility of party to present testimony and evidence

Latest version.

(a) It is the responsibility of each party to present at the hearing before the Referee all witnesses, testimony, evidence and argument material to such party’s contentions concerning the appeal. Testimony and evidence personally presented at the hearing by individuals with actual personal knowledge of the facts in question is preferred, provided the weight to be afforded such testimony and evidence shall be determined by the Referee with consideration to the circumstances of each appeal. Any party, who, without good cause, fails to present at the hearing all testimony, evidence and oral argument material to such party’s contentions concerning the appeal may be deemed to have assented to the Referee’s decision of the appeal solely on the basis of the credible testimony, evidence and oral argument presented at such hearing and the records already on file. The Appeals Division may refuse to provide, by reopening, remand or otherwise, a further hearing for purposes of presenting testimony, evidence or oral argument not presented at the Referee’s hearing duly scheduled in any case wherein it is determined that, through the exercise of due diligence by the party involved, such testimony, evidence or argument could have been presented at such hearing and there was no good cause for such party’s failure to do so.

(b) Immediately upon receipt of the written notice of a hearing, it shall be the responsibility of each party to:

(1) mail, fax or submit by other authorized means to the Appeals Division office that issued the notice and to each other party all proposed documentary evidence or written materials which such party wishes to introduce during such hearing. Proposed documentary evidence must be submitted in time to ensure receipt of the documents by the Appeals Division at least twenty-four hours prior to the time of the scheduled hearing or such evidence may be excluded pursuant to Section 31-237g-30(k) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies;

(2) pursuant to Section 31-237g-17(a) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies, notify the Appeals Division if it intends to appear in person;

(3) arrange to have all witnesses that such party intends to introduce at such hearing (A) available to participate by telephone or by other electronic means specified by the Appeals Division, or (B) present at the Appeals Division office conducting the hearing, provided that the party notifies the Appeals Division, or (C) present at such location as the Appeals Division directs will be acceptable; and

(4) contact the Appeals Division office which issued the notice if such party is unable to satisfactorily arrange to have that party’s witnesses available to participate pursuant to subsection (3) of this section.

(Effective June 23, 1986; Amended October 27, 1997; Amended June 3, 2021)

Sec. 31-237g-23. Right of party to request interpreter or reasonable accommodation

Latest version.

(Statutory reference: 17-137k, 17-137p)

(a) Individuals with limited English proficiency, or who are deaf or hearing impaired, shall have the right to request an interpreter provided by the Appeals Division. The Referee may require the use of an interpreter for any person who cannot adequately speak or understand spoken English and for whom a capable interpreter has not been requested.

(b) Any document entered into the record that is written in a language other than English shall be interpreted at the hearing by a competent interpreter or accompanied by a correct English translation with proof satisfactory to the Referee that such translation is a correct translation of the original document.

(c) Any party or witness may request a reasonable accommodation that is necessary to allow that individual to participate in an Appeals Division hearing.

(Effective January 1, 1988; Amended June 3, 2021)

Sec. 31-237g-24. Disqualification of Referee

Latest version.

(Statutory reference: 31-242)

(a) A Referee shall voluntarily disqualify himself or herself and withdraw from participating in any proceeding or decision on an appeal if such Referee has any interest in the appeal or in the business of any party to the appeal or in the business of any attorney or authorized agent for such party.

(b) A challenge to the interest of the Referee may be made by any party to the appeal, or the attorney or authorized agent for such party, by way of a request to disqualify the Referee . Such a request may be oral or written but each request shall specifically describe all reasons for the request. Each such request shall be made as soon as the alleged interest on the part of the Referee is reasonably discoverable and, in all cases, prior to the mailing of the Referee’s decision on the appeal. The Referee shall promptly decide each such request. Such decision need not be in writing but if the request is granted, the Referee shall so notify all parties and no further proceedings shall occur with regard to such file until a different Referee is substituted to decide the appeal. If the request is denied, the requesting party shall be notified and thereby have the option of either proceeding with the case before the Referee involved or immediately electing to file a challenge to the interest of such Referee with the Chairperson of the Board and the requesting party shall be so notified of such option at the time such party is notified of the denial of the initial request. If the requesting party elects to then proceed with the case rather than file such a challenge, that party is not deemed to have waived any claim that such party may have concerning interest on the part of the Referee but may make such claim an additional ground of appeal from the final decision of the referee on the merits. If the requesting party elects to respond to the denial of such request by filing a challenge to the interest of the Referee with the Chairperson, that party shall so inform the Referee and, within ten (10) days of the date of the Referee’s denial of the request, file with the Chairperson a written document which shall be titled “Challenge to the Interest of the Referee,” prepared and delivered in accordance with Section 31-237g-10(a) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies, and specifically describe all reasons for such challenge. Any requesting party who elects to file such a challenge but fails to timely file such challenge may be deemed to have waived such challenge. If a requesting party elects to file such a challenge, no further proceedings shall occur with regard to such file until such challenge is decided by the Chairperson or otherwise waived. The Chairperson shall promptly decide each such challenge on the basis of the written challenge and issue a written decision thereon provided the Chairperson may schedule an evidentiary hearing upon such challenge before issuing such decision. If the Chairperson grants the challenge, the appeal shall be transferred to another Referee. If the Chairperson denies the challenge, proceedings on the appeal shall recommence before the Referee involved. The party that filed the challenge may petition for review of a decision by the Chairperson denying such challenge but only as a part of any subsequent petition which address the Referee’s eventual decision on the appeal by way of either an appeal to the Board or a motion to the Referee to reopen, vacate, set aside or modify.

(c) The mere fact that a Referee may have already heard an appeal does not, in itself, constitute sufficient interest in the proceedings which would preclude such Referee from hearing such appeal again upon remand from higher authority. The mere fact that a Referee may have previously decided a case involving one or more parties to an appeal pending before that Referee does not, in itself, constitute sufficient interest in the proceedings which would preclude such Referee from hearing the pending appeal.

(Effective June 23, 1986; Amended October 27, 1997; Amended June 3, 2021)

Sec. 31-237g-25. Withdrawals; dismissals

Latest version.

(Statutory reference: 31-242)

(a) The appealing party may request withdrawal of an appeal to the Referee and upon receipt of such a request the Referee shall issue a decision dismissing such appeal pursuant to the request provided (1) the request is in writing, (2) the request is voluntary and signed by the appealing party or the attorney or authorized agent for such party, (3) the request is received by the Appeals Division office involved prior to the Referee’s issuing a decision on such appeal, and (4) prior to issuing a dismissal decision pursuant to such request the Referee may make inquiry, at hearing or otherwise, to determine if such request was voluntarily made with knowledge of the consequences involved. A withdrawal request received by the referee after the issuance of the decision on the appeal may be treated by the referee as a motion to reopen the Referee’s decision, provided that if such motion is filed after the referee’s decision became final pursuant to Section 31-237g-34 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies, the Referee shall dismiss such motion as untimely unless the party establishes good cause for the late filing pursuant to Section 31-237g-34(c) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies.

(b) A dismissal decision issued pursuant to a withdrawal request shall be issued in accordance with Section 31-237g-13 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies and shall include a reference to the withdrawal request granted, but need not otherwise comply with Section 31-237g-33 (b) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies. Such a dismissal decision shall become final in accordance with Section 31-237g-34 (a) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies. If a withdrawal request is not granted by the Referee, the Referee shall continue with the normal adjudication of the appeal but shall, in the Referee’s subsequent decision on the appeal, state the reason for the Referee’s refusal to grant such withdrawal request.

(c) Notwithstanding Section 31-237g-35(a) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies, the Referee shall reopen a dismissal decision and reinstate a party’s withdrawn appeal, without requirement of finding good cause, if the appealing party files a motion to reopen prior to the decision becoming final pursuant to subsection (b) of this section.

(Effective June 23, 1986; Amended October 27, 1997; Amended June 3, 2021)

Sec. 31-237g-26. Failure to timely appear at hearing; dismissal

Latest version.

(a) A party shall be deemed to have failed to timely appear at a scheduled hearing before the Referee when such party fails to telephone the designated Appeals Division hearing number or to appear in person at the Appeals Division office conducting such hearing, not later than ten (10) minutes after the scheduled time for such hearing. A party may be deemed to have appeared if any attorney, authorized agent or witness appears on behalf of such party within such ten (10) minutes. Unless otherwise stipulated with the consent of the Referee, the Referee’s watch or timepiece shall be the sole instrument by which timely appearance at the hearing is determined.

(b) If the appealing party fails to timely appear at a scheduled hearing, the Referee may, following a review of the existing record:

(1) issue a decision dismissing such appeal, pursuant to subsection (f) of this section, due to the failure of the appealing party to prosecute the appeal, if no error is apparent on the face of the record; or

(2) proceed with the hearing and take the testimony, evidence and argument put forward by those present, if any, consider the documentary record established by the Administrator, and issue a decision on the merits of the appeal if the Referee determines that good cause exists for doing so. Good cause may include but need not be limited to the following:

(A) a non-appealing party present expressly requests to so proceed, provided that in such instance the Referee shall advise the requesting party that in the event that another hearing is scheduled on the case it will be advisable for such party to again appear and participate at such further hearing;

(B) the Referee determines, with or without the appearance of any party at the hearing, that the documentary record established by the Administrator does not support the Administrator’s decision appealed from;

(C) the appealing party has appeared for the hearing more than ten (10) minutes past the scheduled starting time but the Referee determines that it will nevertheless be administratively feasible to proceed with the hearing;

(3) reschedule or continue the hearing if the Referee reasonably determines that good cause exists for doing so.

(c) If the appealing party appears at a scheduled hearing, but any non-appealing party fails to appear, the Referee shall proceed with the hearing and take the testimony, evidence, and argument put forward by those present, consider the documentary record established by the Administrator and thereafter issue a decision on the merits of the appeal provided that the Referee may reschedule the hearing if the Referee determines that good cause exists for doing so.

(d) When any party, attorney or authorized agent realizes that such party, attorney or agent will likely not timely appear at a scheduled hearing, it is the responsibility of such party, attorney or agent to immediately report such fact, and the reason therefor, to the Appeals Division office involved. The Appeals Division shall record such report, and the time it was received, in the file of such case. Such report shall be part of the record in the case. The Referee may refuse to grant a motion to reopen, vacate, set aside or modify filed on behalf of any party which failed to timely reveal good cause for the failure of such party, or that party’s representative, to timely appear at the scheduled hearing or to provide timely notice to the Appeals Division of its inability to appear. The failure of an authorized agent that represents parties for a fee to comply with this subsection may be deemed a violation of Section 31-272-4 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies.

(e) When a party, attorney, authorized agent or witness appears for the Referee’s hearing at a time subsequent to the disposition of that hearing, the Referee shall record in the file of such case the name of such person, the time of such late arrival, and the reason given, if any, for such late arrival.

(f) A Referee decision dismissing an appeal due to the failure of the appealing party to appear at the scheduled hearing and prosecute the appeal may consist of a short-form decision which shall conform with Section 31-237g-13 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies, include a statement of the time allowed for appearance at the scheduled hearing, a statement that the appealing party failed to so timely appear, and an announcement of the Referee’s decision dismissing such appeal pursuant to subsection (b) (1) of this section. Such decision need not otherwise comply with Section 31- 237g-20(b) of these regulations. A Referee decision dismissing an untimely appeal pursuant to Section 31-237g-34 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies, where the appealing party also failed to timely appear at the referee’s hearing, may consist of a short-form decision which shall consider the good cause factors listed in subsection (c) of said section. Any appealing party whose appeal was dismissed pursuant to this section may, pursuant to Section 31- 237g-34 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies, file a motion to reopen, vacate, set aside or modify such dismissal decision, or file an appeal to the Board from such decision.

(g) For purposes of this section, good cause shall include such factors listed in Section 31-237g- 15(b) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies as may be relevant to a party’s failure to appear.

(Effective June 23, 1986; Amended October 27, 1997; Amended June 3, 2021)

Sec. 31-237g-27. Untimely appeal; lack of aggrievement; moot appeal; dismissal

Latest version.

Upon receipt of any appeal over which the Referee determines the Referee does not have jurisdiction due to (1) the untimely filing of the appeal; (2) lack of aggrievement on the part of the appealing party; (3) mootness of the appeal; or (4) any other reason, the Referee shall issue a decision dismissing such appeal unless the Referee determines that a hearing is necessary. The Referee shall conduct a hearing on the timeliness of an appeal if good cause is alleged for the untimely filing, and may schedule a full hearing on all coverable issues and thereafter issue a decision, provided that if the Referee rules that the Referee lacks jurisdiction, the decision shall be limited to the issue of jurisdiction.

(Effective January 1, 1988; Amended October 27, 1997; Amended June 3, 2021)

Sec. 31-237g-28. Hearing record

Latest version.

(Statutory reference: 31-244a)

(a) The Referee shall prepare or arrange to have prepared, by a recording susceptible to transcription, a complete hearing record of all proceedings at any hearing before the Referee. Such hearing record shall be the official hearing record.

(b) Any party or witness at a hearing before the Referee may prepare its own recording of such hearing provided:

(1) the Referee may at any time refuse to permit or may order such person to discontinue the preparation of such private record if the Referee deems the preparation of such private record to limit the fairness or effectiveness of the hearing on the condition that the Referee state on the hearing record the Referee’s reasons for such order; and

(2) such private record of the hearing may not, except upon the stipulation of all parties and the consent of the Referee, be allowed to contravene, supplement or otherwise affect the official hearing record prepared by the Referee.

(c) The Referee may permit limited discussions to occur off the hearing record for good cause. If the Referee permits any such proceedings to occur off the record, the Referee shall, prior to going off the record, announce such fact, including the reason therefor, and immediately upon thereafter resuming proceedings on the record the Referee shall summarize the essentials of such off-the-record discussions.

(Effective June 23, 1986; Amended June 3, 2021)

Sec. 31-237g-29. Rights of parties at hearing

Latest version.

Subject to the authority and control of the Referee and such rights otherwise provided in Sections 31-237g-1 to 31-237g-60, inclusive, of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies, each party at a hearing before the Referee shall have the right to:

(a) present a brief opening statement as to such party’s position concerning such appeal;

(b) testify on any matter relevant and material to the issues involved;

(c) introduce evidence and exhibits relevant and material to the issues involved, subject to Sections 31-237g-22(b) and 31-237g-30(k) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies;

(d) call and examine any party or witness on any matter relevant and material to the issues involved;

(e) cross-examine any opposing party or witness on any matter relevant and material to the issues involved even if such matter was not covered in direct examination of such party or witness;

(f) impeach any party;

(g) impeach any witness regardless of which party first called such witness to testify;

(h) examine evidence, object to the introduction of evidence, object to questions or the responses to questions, and object to any aspect of the conduct of the hearing, provided the reason for any such objection is specified at the time of the objection;

(i) rebut the evidence and testimony against such party;

(j) present oral argument on the issues involved; and

(k) briefly summarize such party’s position concerning the appeal at the conclusion of testimony.

(Effective January 1, 1988; Amended October 27, 1997; Amended June 3, 2021)

Sec. 31-237g-30. Conduct of hearing

Latest version.

(Statutory reference: 31-242, 31-244a, 31-245, 31-254, 1-19 (b) (2), 1-18a (e) (5))

(a) The Referee shall hear the case de novo, and shall not be bound by the previous decision of the Administrator. The Referee shall conduct and control the hearing informally and shall not be bound by the ordinary common law or statutory rules of evidence or procedure. The Referee shall make inquiry in such manner, through oral testimony and written and printed records, and take any action consistent with the impartial discharge of the Referee’s duties, as is best calculated to ascertain the relevant facts and the substantial rights of the parties, furnish a fair and expeditious hearing, and render a proper and complete decision. The Referee may, at any time, examine or cross- examine any party or witness, and require such evidence as the Referee determines to be necessary for a proper and complete decision. The Referee may, at any time, indicate on the record that the testimony being presented is not being supplied by a person with actual personal knowledge of the facts in question. The Referee shall determine the order for presentation of evidence and may exclude testimony and evidence which such Referee determines to be incompetent, irrelevant, unduly repetitious, or otherwise improper, provided that, before excluding any such evidence, the referee shall permit the offering party an opportunity to describe the evidence and to explain its reliability and importance to the case. When a party is not represented by an attorney, the Referee shall, as the Referee deems necessary in the interests of justice, advise such party as to such party’s rights, aid in examining and cross-examining witnesses and in presenting evidence, and otherwise render such assistance as is compatible with the impartial discharge of the Referee’s duties.

(b) The Referee shall have authority to administer oaths and affirmations. All testimony at the hearing before the Referee shall be under oath or affirmation which shall be included on the hearing record. Any interpreter participating in such hearing shall so interpret under the separate oath for interpreters which shall also be included on the hearing record. Upon administering such oath or affirmation, the Referee may require the interpreter to interpret, to the extent possible, word for word in the first person as the person being interpreted for so communicates.

(c) The hearing shall be confined to the issues which the notice of hearing issued pursuant to Section 31-237g-17(c) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies indicates may be covered at the hearing. The hearing may also cover, at the discretion of the Referee, any separate issue which the parties are prepared and willing to go forward on and on which they expressly waive right to notice of.

(d) At the commencement of the hearing, the Referee shall, on the hearing record:

(1) announce the title and case number of the appeal;

(2) announce the commencement time, date and location of the hearing;

(3) announce the identity of the Referee and indicate that the Referee is a member of the Appeals Division which is separate and independent from the Administrator;

(4) identify all parties, representatives and witnesses present, indicate on whose behalf each such representative or witness is appearing, and verify the addresses of all such parties and representatives;

(5) explain the procedure to be followed at the hearing, including a statement as to the Referee’s full authority over the conduct of the hearing;

(6) explain the de novo nature of the hearing, provided it is explained that the Administrator’s records shall be considered as evidence;

(7) indicate that the hearing will be recorded and that the official record thus obtained will be kept during the pendency of the appeal;

(8) indicate that the hearing will likely be the only full evidentiary hearing granted in the case due to the fact that further appellate review is generally limited to a review of the record created at such hearing and therefore all parties in attendance shall insure that they present at such hearing all testimony and evidence that they believe is material to the issues involved;

(9) summarize the rights and responsibilities of the parties at the hearing;

(10) indicate that a written decision upon the appeal will be sent by the Referee to all parties and representatives with reasonable promptness following the close of the hearing, and advise the parties as to the appeal rights of the party aggrieved by such decision;

(11) advise the claimant to continue to file benefit claims as instructed by the Administrator in order to preserve the claimant’s rights during the pendency of the appeal;

(12) summarize the case history of the appeal and indicate the issues which appear to be involved;

(13) indicate which party has the burden of proof, if any, with regard to the issues involved; and

(14) announce that the Appeals Division has statutory power to authorize and limit the fees payable for representation of a claimant in such proceedings and that if either the claimant or such representative so requests, the Appeals Division shall rule on that matter.

(e) The relevant Administrator’s documents in the file record shall be considered as evidence by the Referee subject to the right of any party to object to the introduction of such documents or any part of such documents. The Referee shall itemize and summarize such records and allow such parties, and the attorneys and authorized agents for such parties, to inspect such documents and offer evidence and testimony in rebuttal to the information or contentions contained in those documents. All documents and records which the Referee accepts into evidence shall be clearly and separately labeled by the Referee to indicate the party submitting same and shall be included in the file record. Documentary evidence may be received in the form of legible photocopies. Physical evidence shall also be labeled and placed in the file record if practicable, or otherwise described in detail by the Referee on the hearing record.

(f) The Referee, upon the referee’s own initiative or upon the request of any party, may sequester a witness during a portion of the hearing if the Referee deems such sequestration to promote the effective conduct of the hearing. Whenever a witness is excluded or readmitted to the hearing, the Referee shall so indicate upon the hearing record along with the Referee’s reason for such action. If a party, attorney or authorized agent, appears at the hearing after the commencement of the hearing, the Referee shall note on the record the time of the late arrival, and may summarize the proceedings up to that point before proceeding with the hearing.

(g) The Referee shall not permit improper behavior or tactics, including the intentional disregard of Sections 31-237g-1 to 31-237g-60, inclusive, of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies or the proper instructions of the Referee, which are disruptive of the fair, orderly or effective conduct of the hearing. Any person, attorney or authorized agent other than a party who engages in such improper conduct shall be warned by the Referee, on the hearing record, against continuing such behavior, and if such person thereafter persists in such proscribed conduct the Referee may, if the Referee reasonably deems it necessary, expel such person from the hearing provided that the Referee indicates on the hearing record the reason for such action. Any party that engages in such improper conduct shall be warned by the Referee, on the hearing record, against continuing such behavior, and if such party thereafter persists in such behavior the Referee may, if the Referee reasonably deems it necessary, (1) proceed with the hearing under such instructions and conditions as the Referee deems fair and appropriate; (2) recess or reschedule the hearing; or (3) close the hearing and issue a decision based upon the testimony and evidence received, provided that the Referee indicates on the hearing record the reason for such action.

(h) A hearing before the Referee may, at the initiative of the Referee or the oral or written request of a party, be briefly recessed or continued to another time, date, or place if the Referee determines that good cause exists for such recess or continuance. Such good cause shall be stated on the record. Unless waived by all parties present, notice of a continuance shall be issued by the Referee pursuant to Section 31-237g-17 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies.

(i) The Referee may permit any party, or the attorney or authorized agent of record for such party, to file with the Referee at the hearing written argument concerning such appeal, provided a copy of such argument is delivered to each other party present at such hearing. Such written argument may supplement, but not serve in lieu of, testimony and evidence presented under oath and subject to cross-examination at the hearing duly scheduled upon an appeal.

(j) At the conclusion of the hearing the Referee shall announce on the record both the fact and time of such conclusion. The Referee may, prior to the conclusion, at the Referee’s own initiative or upon the request of a party for good cause shown, on the record grant a limited extension of time, prior to the issuance of the Referee’s decision, for the filing by a party of (1) written argument or (2) additional documentary evidence, or both. In granting a request for the filing of additional documents, the Referee shall describe the significance and identity of such documents; require that the documents be provided to all other parties at the same time as they are filed with the Referee; and permit all other parties a reasonable time in which to object to the inclusion of such documents in the record, file argument or evidence in rebuttal, or request a further hearing. All such written materials filed pursuant to this subsection shall be filed in accordance with Section 31- 237g-10 (a) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies or as the Referee prescribes.

(k) The Referee shall determine, at the commencement of the hearing, if the Appeals Division and each party, attorney or authorized agent in attendance has received copies of, or electronic access to, the file records supplied by the Appeals Division and all documentary evidence and materials supplied by any party pursuant to Sections 31-237g-17(b) and 31-237g-22(b) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies. If any party seeks to introduce at such hearing any documentary evidence or material of which the Appeals Division or any other party has not, at the time of the hearing, yet received a copy, the Referee shall require a specific identification of such material and an explanation of the alleged importance of such documentary evidence or material to the appeal involved. The Referee may exclude such documentary evidence or material unless the Referee determines that such material is critical to the Referee’s determination of the appeal. The Referee may: (1) if practicable, permit such documentary evidence or material to be read into the record provided that, pursuant to the guidelines of Section 31-237g-10 (a), such documentary evidence or material shall thereafter be filed with the Referee and all other parties in accordance with the time limitation that the Referee may reasonably direct; (2) if the Referee deems it necessary and appropriate, reschedule the hearing; or (3) take such other action as the Referee deems appropriate. Any party who takes exception to such written materials excluded pursuant to this subsection from the hearing or filed after the hearing and who is aggrieved by the Referee’s subsequent decision on the appeal may file, pursuant to Section 31- 237g-35 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies, a motion to reopen, vacate or set aside such decision for purposes of requesting the opportunity to file other written materials in rebuttal or the opportunity for a further hearing on the matter.

(Effective January 1, 1988; Amended October 27, 1997; Amended June 3, 2021)

Sec. 31-237g-31. Transfer to the Board

Latest version.

(Statutory reference: 31-248a)

(a) At any time during the pendency of an appeal to the Referee and prior to the Referee’s decision on such appeal becoming final, the Board may, on its own motion or the written request of a party or the Referee filed with the Board within such time period, transfer such appeal to the Board. Any appeal transferred to the Board shall thereafter be treated and processed as an appeal to the Board provided that an appeal transferred to the Board prior to a hearing before a Referee shall thereafter be scheduled for an evidentiary hearing prior to the issuance of the Board’s decision upon such transferred appeal. Any such request shall be filed with the office of the Referee Section where such appeal is pending and promptly thereafter forwarded by such office to the Board.

(b) Any written request pursuant to subsection (a) of this section shall be prepared pursuant to Section 31-237g-10(a) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies and shall describe all good cause alleged for such transfer, which good cause may include, but need not be limited to, one or more of the following reasons:

(1) the existence in such case of substantially complex questions of fact or law which will require extensive testimony or consideration;

(2) the ultimate decision issued in such case will have significant precedential value;

(3) the case in question is a consolidated proceeding or the particular facts and circumstances involved in the instant case are representative of a significant number of substantially similar cases;

(4) the continuation of the case at the referee level may result in substantial harm or prejudice to the party; or

(5) where a case involving related issues or parties is before the Board, it would benefit the Board to consider the cases together and no substantial harm or prejudice will result to any party.

(c) The filing of any written request pursuant to subsections (a) and (b) of this section shall not stay or toll any time limitation applicable to such appeal before the Referee. The Board shall promptly issue a written decision upon each such request. The general provisions of 31-237g-49(a) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies to the contrary notwithstanding, a Board decision on a transfer request is not subject to appeal rights but may be subject to a motion to the board to reopen.

(Effective June 23, 1986; Amended October 27, 1997; Amended June 3, 2021)

Sec. 31-237g-32. Certifications to the Board

Latest version.

(Statutory reference: 31-249f)

(a) If, in any proceeding before the Administrator, the Administrator has serious doubt as to the correctness of any applicable principles previously declared by a Referee or the Board, or if there is an apparent inconsistency or conflict in applicable final decisions of comparable authority, the Administrator may certify to the Board the findings of fact in such case, together with the question of law involved, and withhold decision pending receipt of the certification decision by the Board. Each such certification by the Administrator shall be prepared and delivered in accordance with Section 31-237g-10(a) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies. The Board shall treat and process each such certification in the same manner as an appeal and issue to the Administrator and the parties to such proceeding a written decision certifying the Board’s answer to the question submitted, provided the Board shall grant any request for a Board hearing on the law which is timely-filed concerning such certification. The general provisions of Section 31-237g-49(a) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies to the contrary notwithstanding, there shall be no appeal with regard to the Board’s certification decision. However, any party aggrieved by the Administrator’s determination may object to the Board’s certification decision as part of its appeal from the Administrator’s determination.

(b) If, in any proceeding before the Referee, the Referee has serious doubt as to the correctness of any applicable principles previously declared by a Referee or the Board, or if there is an apparent inconsistency or conflict in applicable final decisions of comparable authority, the Referee may, subsequent to the hearing, certify to the Board the Referee’s findings of fact in such case together with the question of law involved. The Referee shall withhold decision pending receipt of the certification decision by the Board. Each such certification by a Referee shall be prepared and delivered in accordance with Section 31-237g-13(a) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies. The Board shall (1) treat and process each such certification in the same manner as an appeal and issue the Referee and the parties to such proceeding a written decision certifying the Board’s answer to the question submitted provided the Board shall grant any request for a Board hearing on the law which is timely-filed concerning such certification; or (2) pursuant to Section 31-237g-31 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies transfer to itself the entire proceeding and render a decision upon the entire case. The general provisions of Section 31-237g-49(a) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies to the contrary notwithstanding, there shall be no appeal rights with regard to the Board’s certification decision. Unless the Board transfers the proceeding to itself, the Referee shall issue a decision in such proceeding promptly following receipt of the Board’s certification decision. Such Referee’s decision shall be subject to the appeal rights normally applicable to such a decision by the Referee. Any party aggrieved by the Referee’s decision may object to the Board’s certification decision as part of its appeal from the Referee’s decision.

(Effective January 1, 1988; Amended October 27, 1997; Amended June 3, 2021)

Sec. 31-237g-33. Decision of the Referee; content and form

Latest version.

(Statutory reference: 31-242, 31-249e)

(a) Each appeal to the Referee shall be reviewed, and a decision thereon prepared, with reasonable promptness following the close of the scheduled hearing. Except for dismissal decisions issued pursuant to Sections 31-237g-25, 31-237g-26 and 31-237g-27 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies, the Referee’s decision shall affirm, reverse or modify the Administrator’s decision or for good cause remand any issue properly before the referee to the Administrator for such further proceedings as the Referee reasonably instructs. In remanding the case to the Administrator the Referee may retain jurisdiction. If the Referee retains jurisdiction, upon the issuance of a new determination by the Administrator, the Referee shall provide all parties to the appeal an opportunity to be heard and shall thereafter issue a decision affirming, reversing or modifying the Administrator’s determination, provided that the Referee shall not issue a decision if all parties to the appeal consent to the withdrawal of the appeal. If the Referee does not retain jurisdiction, the Administrator’s new determination shall inform the aggrieved party of its right to file a new appeal from the determination.

The general provisions of Section 31-237g-34(a) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies to the contrary notwithstanding, a Referee’s decision remanding an appeal to the Administrator is not separately appealable to the Board, but may be subject to a motion to reopen or may be made an additional ground for appeal from the Referee’s final decision on the Administrator’s new determination. The Referee’s decision on an appeal shall rule upon each relevant issue necessary to the decision, provided (1) the notice of hearing issued pursuant to Section 31- 237g-17 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies indicated that such issue could be covered at the hearing, or (2) the participating parties waived notice of such issue and stipulated to coverage of such issue at the hearing.

(b) Each Referee decision on an appeal pursuant to subsection (a) of this section shall be prepared and issued in accordance with Section 31- 237g-13(a) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies and shall also list the date and location of each hearing held together with the names and identities of all persons in attendance at such hearing and the relationship of each such person to the appeal. Except for dismissal decisions issued pursuant to Sections 31-237g-25, 31- 237g-26 and 31-237g-27 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies, each such decision shall include: (1) a case history of the appeal which indicates, but need not be limited to, the Referee’s jurisdiction over the case; (2) the Referee’s findings of fact; (3) the reason for the Referee’s conclusions of law; and (4) the Referee’s ultimate decision on the appeal. The findings of fact and the reasons for the Referee’s conclusions of law shall be stated separately, but the case history and the findings of fact may be combined under the general heading of “Findings of Fact,” and the conclusions of law may be joined with the ultimate decision under the general heading of “Decision,” provided said ultimate decision shall be clearly stated. The Referee’s findings of fact shall contain all findings of fact necessary to the resolution of each issue involved, and shall be based exclusively on the evidence and testimony in the file and hearing record and on matters officially noticed, and matters stipulated to with the Referee’s approval. The Referee’s conclusions of law shall cite and summarize the specific statutory and regulatory law involved, and shall indicate the reasons why the application of such law to the facts found results in the ultimate decision stated. The ultimate decision may include a statement as to the action to be taken by the Administrator, if any, as a consequence of such ultimate decision.

(c) The written general statement of appeal rights pertaining to such Referee’s decision required by Section 31-237-13(a) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies shall include, but need not be limited to, the following provisions:

(1) the time and place for filing such an appeal;

(2) the form and content of such an appeal;

(3) the option to submit written argument in support of such appeal;

(4) the option to request decision of such appeal by the full Board;

(5) the option to request scheduling of a Board hearing on such appeal; and

(6) the availability, at each Employment Security and Appeals Division office, of assistance in preparing an appeal.

(Effective January 1, 1988; Amended October 27, 1997; Amended June 3, 2021)

Sec. 31-237g-34. Decision of the Referee; final date; motion and appeal distinguished

Latest version.

(Statutory reference: 31-248)

(a) A Referee’s decision on an appeal shall become final on the twenty-second (22nd) calendar day after the date on which a copy of such decision was sent to the parties’ address of record unless prior to said twenty-second (22nd) day:

(1) a party aggrieved by the decision files either (A) an appeal to the Board of Review or (B) a motion to the Referee to reopen, vacate, set aside or modify such decision; or

(2) the Referee, on the Referee’s own motion, reopens, vacates, sets aside or modifies such decision in accordance with the terms of Section 31-237g-35 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies.

(b) Every motion or appeal pursuant to this section shall be filed at any office of Employment Security, the Appeals Division or any Employment Security office of any other state in which the filing party is located at the time of filing. Each such motion or appeal may be filed in person, by facsimile transmission (fax), by internet or by mail but to be acceptable as timely filed, it must be actually received at such office within the twenty-one (21) calendar days allowed by law, must bear a legible United States Postal Service postmark which indicates that within such twenty-one (21) day period it was placed in the possession of the postal authorities for delivery to the appropriate office, or must be received by fax or by internet as set forth in Section 31-237g-1(c) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies. Posting dates attributable to private postage meters shall not be considered in determining the timeliness of appeals filed by mail. If the last day for filing such a motion or appeal falls on a day when the office where such appeal was actually filed was not open for business, such last day shall be extended to the next business day of such office. It is generally advisable, to the extent that it can be accomplished within the allotted twenty-one (21) day period, to file such appeal or motion with the specific Appeals Division office which rendered the decision. Any appeal or motion filed after the twenty-one (21) day period has expired may be considered timely filed if the filing party shows good cause for the late filing.

(c) For purposes of this section, a party has good cause for filing an appeal after the twenty-one (21) day appeal period if a reasonably prudent individual under the same or similar circumstances would have been prevented from filing a timely appeal. In determining whether good cause has been shown, the Board shall consider all relevant factors, including but not limited to:

(1) The extent to which the party has demonstrated diligence in its previous dealings with the Administrator and the Employment Security Appeals Division;

(2) Whether the party was represented;

(3) The degree of the party’s familiarity with the procedures of the Appeals Division;

(4) Whether the party received timely and adequate notice of the need to act;

(5) Administrative error by the Administrator or Employment Security Appeals Division; or the failure of the Administrator, the Appeals Division, or any other party to discharge its responsibilities;

(6) Factors outside the control of the party which prevented a timely action;

(7) The party’s physical or mental impairment;

(8) Whether the party acted diligently in filing an appeal once the reason for the late filing no longer existed;

(9) Where there is substantial prejudice to an adverse party which prevents such party from adequately presenting its case, the total length of time that the action was untimely;

(10) Coercion or intimidation which prevented the party from promptly filing its appeal; and

(11) Good faith error, provided that in determining whether good faith error constitutes good cause, the Board shall consider the extent of prejudice to any other party, any prior history of late filing due to such error, whether the appeal is excessively late, and whether the party otherwise acted with due diligence.

(d) An appeal to the Board from a Referee’s decision on an appeal generally has consequences different from a motion to the Referee to reopen, vacate, set aside or modify such a decision. An appeal to the Board may, regardless of its title, be treated and processed by the Referee as such a motion for purposes of granting the motion by way of reopening, vacating, setting aside or modifying such a decision, solely in order to grant the relief requested. A clearly titled motion to the Referee to reopen, vacate, set aside or modify such a decision shall be treated and processed by the Referee as such motion, except as provided in Section 31-237g-35(b) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies. If a Referee does so process a document which purports to be an appeal to the Board as a motion to reopen, the Referee shall immediately so notify the Board and provide the Board with a copy of both the document in question and the Referee’s written response to such document. After an appeal to the Board is processed as such an appeal, no motion to the Referee to reopen, set aside or modify the appealed decision shall thereafter be accepted or acted upon by the Referee. However, after a motion to the Referee to reopen, vacate, set aside or modify the decision is filed with the Referee, both a Referee’s decision denying such a motion and the Referee’s preceding decision on the appeal may be appealed to the Board not later than twenty-one (21) calendar days after the Referee’s decision denying such motion is sent to the parties. The Referee shall refuse to accept both such a motion and an appeal filed simultaneously with regard to the same Referee decision and in such event the Referee shall accept and process whichever remedial petition the Referee deems proper and the remaining petition shall be void. Whenever possible, the Referee shall treat and process an appeal or motion in such a way as to preserve the right of the appealing party to seek further review by the Board.

(Effective January 1, 1988; Amended October 27, 1997; Amended June 3, 2021)

Sec. 31-237g-35. Motion to the Referee to reopen, vacate, set aside, or modify

Latest version.

(Statutory reference: 31-248)

(a) The Referee may, pursuant to the time limits set forth in Section 31-237g-34 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies, reopen, vacate, set aside or modify a decision on an appeal if the Referee determines, for good cause shown, that new evidence or the ends of justice so require. Each motion to reopen, vacate, set aside or modify a Referee’s decision on an appeal shall be filed by means of a typed or legibly printed statement which shall:

(1) be clearly entitled “Motion to the Referee to Reopen,” “Motion to the Referee to Vacate,” “Motion to the Referee to Set Aside,” or “Motion to the Referee to Modify,” as the case may be;

(2) describe all the reasons and good cause for such motion and, if new evidence is alleged as such a reason, the following shall be further specified:

(A) the identity and nature of such alleged new evidence;

(B) the reason why such alleged new evidence was not presented at the hearing previously scheduled; and

(3) otherwise follow the guidelines set forth in Section 31-237g- 10(a) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies.

(b) Any such motions may be filed upon the same Referee decision by any party, but all such motions by such party shall be filed simultaneously and shall be filed by means of separate documents and no such motion by any party shall be permitted or accepted by the Referee with regard to the Referee’s decision denying a preceding motion filed by such party. The Referee may process any subsequent motion as an appeal to the Board.

(c) No hearing shall be held upon such motions unless the Referee determines that good cause exists for such a hearing, except that no such motion shall be dismissed as untimely without a hearing if the motion recites a reason for the untimely filing that would constitute good cause pursuant to Section 31-237g-15 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies. The Referee shall, with reasonable promptness, review each such motion and issue a written decision thereon. The Referee’s decision on any such motions shall be prepared and delivered in accordance with Section 31-237g-13(a) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies and shall include a statement as to the reasons for the decision. In any case wherein a further hearing is not scheduled as a consequence of a Referee’s decision reopening, vacating, setting aside or modifying a Referee’s decision, the Referee shall provide all non-moving parties to such case with (1) a copy of such motion, together with all supplemental documentation filed in support of such motion, and (2) a reasonable opportunity to file a written response to such motion prior to the Referee’s issuance of a new decision in the case.

(d) The Referee may deny any such motion based upon the allegations of new evidence if the Referee determines that the new evidence is unnecessarily duplicative or is not likely to affect the result in the case, or that the exercise of reasonable diligence by the moving party would have resulted in the presentation of such evidence at the hearing previously scheduled and the moving party does not otherwise show good cause for such party’s failure to present such evidence.

(e) Any party aggrieved by a decision of a Referee with regard to any such motion may file an appeal to the Board not later than twenty-one (21) calendar days after such decision is sent to the parties as set forth in Section 31-237g-34(b) and (c) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies.

(Effective January 1, 1988; Amended October 27, 1997; Amended June 3, 2021)

Sec. 31-237g-36. Appeal to the Board; form; processing

Latest version.

(Statutory reference: 31-249, 31-249a)

(a) Each appeal to the Board from a Referee’s decision on an appeal shall be filed through a mechanism specified by the Appeals Division, or by means of a document which shall:

(1) be entitled: “APPEAL TO THE BOARD OF REVIEW”; and

(2) be prepared in accordance with Section 31-237g-10 (a) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies.

(b) Immediately upon receipt of an appeal to the Board of Review the Employment Security office involved shall:

(1) stamp the appeal and all supplemental documentation accompanying the appeal to indicate the date and the office where such appeal was filed; and

(2) forward such appeal, and all the documentation accompanying the appeal to the Appeals Division office maintaining the file records concerning the Referee’s decision involved.

(c) Immediately upon receipt of an appeal to the Board of Review at the Appeals Division office maintaining the file records concerning such Referee’s decision, the Referee shall, without undue delay, either (1) treat and process such appeal petition as a motion to the Referee to reopen, vacate, set aside or modify such decision, or (2) treat and process such appeal petition as an appeal to the Board of Review. If the Referee treats such petition as an appeal to the Board of Review, the Appeals Division office involved shall immediately thereafter provide the Board with the original appeal and all accompanying documentation, a copy of the Referee’s decision involved, the originals of all other written file records in such case including exhibits and other documentary or physical evidence, and the original official recording for each hearing held, if any.

(Effective June 23, 1986; Amended October 27, 1997; Amended June 3, 2021)

Sec. 31-237g-37. Appeal to the Board; recommended content; reasons

Latest version.

Each appeal should clearly describe all reasons for the appeal. Any disagreement with the Referee's findings of fact, procedural conduct of the hearing, or stated conclusions of law should be specified, and the alleged importance to the case of each such disagreement should be explained. The Board shall review the file record in consideration of every timely-filed appeal, and thereafter issue a written decision addressing the factual and legal claims stated in such appeal.

(Effective June 23, 1986; Amended October 27, 1997)

Sec. 31-237g-38. Appeal to the Board; optional content; written argument

Latest version.

Each appeal may include, under the separate heading of "WRITTEN ARGUMENT," such further statements, summarizations or written argument that such party wishes the Board to consider concerning such appeal. The Board shall consider all such arguments contained in each timely-filed appeal prior to issuing a decision on such appeal. Such written argument may supplement, but not serve in lieu of, testimony and evidence presented under oath at the hearing duly scheduled upon an appeal, and in no event will evidentiary allegations contained in written argument be considered or treated by the Board as testimony or evidence.

(Effective June 23, 1986; Amended October 27, 1997)

Sec. 31-237g-39. Appeal to the Board; optional content; request for decision by the full Board

Latest version.

The full three-member Board shall decide a timely-filed appeal if a party to the appeal files a written request with its appeal or written argument or as required by statute.

(Effective June 23, 1986; Amended October 27, 1997; Amended June 3, 2021)

Sec. 31-237g-40. Appeal to the Board; optional content; request for Board hearing; supplementing the record

Latest version.

(Statutory reference: 31-249)

(a) The Board usually decides appeals on the basis of the record established before the Referee, and does not generally conduct further hearings to take additional evidence or testimony, rehear evidence and testimony already presented to a Referee, or hear oral argument. However, if the Board determines that the ends of justice so require, the Board may order that a further hearing be scheduled before the Board or a Referee for such purposes as the Board may direct. Circumstances in which the Board may reach such a determination on any appeal may include, but are not limited to, the following:

(1) the findings of fact contained in the decision appealed from are silent, incomplete, or erroneous on factual issues material to the review of the case;

(2) the existence of substantially complex, significant or unusual issues of fact or law which are material to the review of the case;

(3) the procedural conduct of the Referee’s hearing appears to have materially denied any party a fair hearing;

(4) for good cause shown, evidence or testimony material to the case was not presented at the hearing previously scheduled;

(5) the case is a consolidated proceeding; and

(6) the ultimate decision will have significant precedential value.

(b) Each appeal may include a statement requesting the Board to order the scheduling of a further hearing. Each such request shall:

(1) describe any evidence or testimony that the requesting party desires to introduce at such hearing, explain the importance of such evidence or testimony for review of the case and state how such evidence is likely to affect the outcome of the case;

(2) indicate whether the evidence or testimony described in subdivision (1) of this subsection was presented at the hearing previously scheduled and (A) if such evidence or testimony was so presented, explain why an additional hearing is necessary, and (B) if such evidence was not so presented, explain why it was not;

(3) if the opportunity for oral argument is alleged as a reason for such request, explain why such oral argument is alleged to be necessary for review of the case; and

(4) describe each other reason, if any, why the ends of justice require the scheduling of a further hearing.

(c) The Board may refuse to grant a request for a Board hearing from any party who fails to show good cause for such party’s failure to introduce the evidence, testimony or oral argument described in subsection (b) of this section at the hearing previously scheduled.

(d) If the Board grants a request for a Board hearing, advance notice of the hearing, and the attendant rights and responsibilities of the parties concerning such hearing, shall be sent to the parties. If the Board denies such request, the Board decision on the appeal shall specifically indicate denial of such request.

(e) In any case in which the Board deems the record on review to be incomplete or deficient, the Board, on its own motion or at the request of any party, may notify the parties of its intent to supplement the record and may request any party to provide to the Board such evidence or argument as the Board may direct. In any case in which the Board supplements the record, it shall allow all parties a reasonable opportunity to object to the filing of additional evidence or argument, offer evidence or argument in rebuttal, or request a further evidentiary hearing.

(Effective June 23, 1986; Amended October 27, 1997; Amended June 3, 2021)

Sec. 31-237g-41. Untimely appeal; lack of aggrievement; moot appeal; dismissal

Latest version.

Upon receipt of any appeal over which the Board determines it has no jurisdiction due to (1) the untimely filing of the appeal; (2) lack of aggrievement on the part of the appealing party; (3) mootness of the appeal; or (4) any other reason, the Board shall assign such appeal a case number and, unless the Board determines that a hearing is necessary, thereafter issue a decision dismissing such appeal. The Board’s determination of such jurisdictional issues may be based solely upon review and consideration of the records concerning such jurisdictional issues. Such dismissal decisions shall contain findings of fact and conclusions of law concerning the jurisdictional issues involved and otherwise comply with Section 31-237g-48 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies except that such dismissal decisions need not comply with subsections 31-237g-48(b) (4), 31-237g-48(b) (6), or 31-237g-48(b) (7) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies. The Board may, at any time during the pendency of an appeal before it, issue, pursuant to this section, a decision dismissing the appeal if the Board determines such appeal to be moot.

(Effective June 23, 1986; Amended October 27, 1997; Amended June 3, 2021)

Sec. 31-237g-42. Timely appeal to the Board; notice of appeal

Latest version.

(a) Upon receipt by the Board of a timely filed appeal from a Referee’s decision, the Board shall promptly send to all parties at their addresses of record a written notice of appeal which shall acknowledge the Board’s receipt of such appeal, provide a copy of such appeal to the non-appealing parties, and contain an announcement of the rights of each party pursuant to subsection (b) of this section.

(b) Any party may, within ten (10) days following issuance of the notice of appeal pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, file with the Board written argument in accordance with Section 31-237g-38 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies, a request for decision of such appeal by the full Board in accordance with Section 31-237g-39 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies, or a request for a Board hearing in accordance with Section 31-237g-40 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies. All such correspondence shall be prepared and delivered in accordance with Section 31-237g-10 (a) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies. Any such documents timely filed with the Board shall be included and treated in the Board’s review and consideration of the appeal. Any such documents filed beyond such time period will also be considered if it is possible to do so before issuance of the Board’s decision.

(Effective June 23, 1986; Amended October 27, 1997; Amended June 3, 2021)

Sec. 31-237g-43. Withdrawals; dismissal

Latest version.

(a) The appealing party may request withdrawal of the party’s appeal to the Board and the Board may issue a decision dismissing such appeal pursuant to such withdrawal request provided (1) the request is in writing, (2) the request is voluntary and signed by the appealing party or the attorney or authorized agent for such party, (3) the request is received by the Board prior to the Board’s issuing a decision on such appeal, (4) the Board does not find the decision appealed from to be clearly inconsistent with the law or precedent, and (5) prior to issuing a dismissal decision pursuant to such request, the Board may make inquiry, at hearing or otherwise, to determine if such request was voluntarily made with knowledge of the consequences. A withdrawal request received by the board after the issuance of a decision on the appeal may be treated by the board as a motion to reopen its decision.

(b) A dismissal decision issued pursuant to a withdrawal request shall be issued in accordance with Section 31-237g-13 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies and shall include a reference to the withdrawal request approved and the authority for such approval but need not otherwise comply with Section 31-237g-48 (b) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies. Such dismissal decision shall become final in accordance with Section 31-237g-49 (a) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies. If a withdrawal request is not approved by the Board, the Board shall continue with the normal adjudication of the appeal but shall, in the Board’s subsequent decision on such appeal, state the reasons for the Board’s refusal to approve such withdrawal request.

(c) Notwithstanding Section 31-237g-50(a) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies, the Board shall reopen a dismissal decision and reinstate a party’s withdrawn appeal, without the requirement of finding good cause, if the appealing party files a motion to reopen prior to the decision becoming final pursuant to subsection (b) of this section.

(Effective June 23, 1986; Amended October 27, 1997; Amended June 3, 2021)

Sec. 31-237g-44. Stipulations; official notice; consolidated proceedings

Latest version.

(a) The parties to a proceeding before the Board may stipulate to facts or procedures, and the Board may accept such stipulations if the Board determines such stipulations to be consistent with the actual facts, the law and Sections 31-237g-1 to 31-237g-60, inclusive, of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies.

(b) The Board may take official notice of judicially cognizable facts and generally recognized, technical, or scientific facts within the Board’s specialized knowledge. Any facts officially noticed shall be specifically identified as such in the Board’s decision. Any party who (1) is aggrieved by a Board decision which incorporates a fact which was officially noticed by the Board but not specifically addressed at a hearing and (2) disputes such fact officially noticed may, pursuant to Sections 31-237g-49 and 31-237g-50 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies, file a motion to reopen such case for purposes of scheduling a further evidentiary hearing on such case. If the motion is timely filed and specifically alleges such conditions, the Board shall grant such motion.

(c) For good cause, any number of proceedings before the Board may, at the initiative of the Board or at the request of a party, be consolidated for hearing, review or decision, provided that the board notifies the parties of its intention to consolidate and the reasons therefor and provides the parties a reasonable opportunity to object. A board decision to consolidate is not separately appealable but is subject to a motion to reopen or may be made an additional ground for appeal from the board’s final decision on the merits. For purposes of this subsection, good cause includes, but is not limited to: (1) the facts and circumstances of each case are substantially similar, (2) the legal issues are related, (3) such consolidation will not unduly complicate the issues involved, (4) consolidation will aid the board in creating a more complete record or resolving complex or significant issues of fact or law, and (5) no substantial right of any party will be significantly prejudiced.

Any stipulation for consolidation signed by a claimant at the time of filing a claim for benefits or during a proceeding before the Referee which recites that the stipulation shall remain in effect during the pendency of any appeal before the Board shall be valid.

(Effective January 1, 1988; Amended October 27, 1997; Amended June 3, 2021)

Sec. 31-237g-45. Disqualification of Board members; assignment of alternative members

Latest version.

(Statutory reference: 31-237f; P.A. 87-468)

(a) A Board member shall voluntarily disqualify himself or herself and withdraw from participating in any proceeding or decision on an appeal before the Board if such member has any direct or indirect interest in such appeal.

(b) A challenge to the interest of any Board member may be made by any party to the proceeding, or the attorney or authorized agent for such party, by a written petition which shall (1) be prepared and filed with the Board in accordance with Section 31-237g-10 (a) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies; (2) be entitled “Challenge to the Interest of a Member of the Employment Security Board of Review”; and (3) state the grounds for such challenge. Unless the challenge is terminated by voluntary disqualification, upon receipt by the Board of Review of such a petition, the Board shall mail the original petition to the clerk of the appropriate Superior Court and shall mail copies of such petition to each other party to the proceeding. Such challenge may be claimed for short calendar and shall be decided by the Superior Court. If the challenge is upheld, the Administrator shall so advise the Governor, and the Governor shall, in accordance with Section 31- 237f of the Connecticut General Statutes, assign an alternate member appointed pursuant to Section 31-237c of the Connecticut General Statutes, provided the Counsel shall, as Acting Chairperson, substitute for the Chairperson. Until such challenge is withdrawn, decided or otherwise terminated in accordance with this section, no proceedings shall occur at the Board with regard to such file.

(c) Whenever a Board member is disqualified pursuant to subsection (a) or (b) of this section, an alternate Board member, appointed pursuant to Section 31-237c of the Connecticut General Statutes and Section 31-237g-2(b) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies, shall serve in place of such Board member.

(Effective January 1, 1988; Amended October 27, 1997; Amended June 3, 2021)

Sec. 31-237g-46. Extension of time to file written argument

Latest version.

(a) The Board lacks authority to waive or extend the statutory time limits for the filing of appeals or motions to the Board, and is obligated to adjudicate appeals promptly. However, after an appeal, motion, request or similar correspondence is timely filed to the Board, and before a decision upon such appeal, motion, request or correspondence is issued, the Board, on its own initiative, or upon the request from a party to such proceeding or the attorney or authorized agent for such party, may grant a limited extension of time in which to file further written argument on such appeal, motion, request or correspondence if the Board determines that good cause exists for granting such extension. Such requests need not be in writing, but shall explain all reasons alleged for the request and shall state the proposed limit for the time extension requested. The decision on such request shall be recorded in the file record but need not otherwise be in writing.

(b) In the event that an extension request filed pursuant to subsection (a) of this section is granted, the party involved shall file such written argument in accordance with the provisions of Section 31-237g-10(a) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies.

(c) Any request to supplement the record shall be governed by Section 31-237g-40(e) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies.

(Effective June 23, 1986; Amended October 27, 1997; Amended June 3, 2021)

Sec. 31-237g-47. Review and decision by the Board

Latest version.

(a) If the Board determines that a hearing is necessary upon any appeal before the Board, such a hearing shall be scheduled and proceedings conducted in accordance with Sections 31-237g-52 to 31-237g-60, inclusive, of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies prior to the review and consideration of the appeal in accordance with subsection (b) through (d) of this section provided in any case before the Board, the Board may delegate to a Referee or staff attorney of the Appeals Division the taking or hearing of evidence in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies.

(b) Any appeal, motion or request to the Board may be reviewed and considered by any member of the Board, provided the decision on each appeal, motion, or request to the Board shall issue by a majority vote of the Board, except that the full Board shall decide each appeal wherein a request for decision by the full Board was timely filed or the full Board is required to decide such appeal by statute. In any case before the Board, the Board or any of its members may have the assistance and advice of any Referee, legal intern, staff attorney, Counsel, or any other person duly authorized by the Chairperson, except that no such person shall provide advice in any matter before the Board in which that person previously participated at the Referee level.

(c) Except as provided in Sections 31-237g-41 and 31-237g-42 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies, each appeal to the Board shall be reviewed in accordance with this section without undue delay following the expiration of time specifically allowed, pursuant to the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies, for the exercise of rights concerning such appeal. Except as provided in subsection (d) of this section, each appeal shall be reviewed on the basis of the records in the appeal file including, but not limited to (1) the records obtained from the Administrator; (2) all appeals and accompanying materials filed with the Appeals Division; (3) all timely filed written arguments concerning such appeals; and (4) all documents and exhibits admitted into evidence at a hearing before the Appeals Division. The Board’s review, consideration and decision of an appeal need not, however, be limited to the issues or claims raised by the parties to such appeal.

(d) The recording or transcript of any hearing before the Referee on an appeal before the Board may be reviewed prior to the issuance of the Board’s decision on such appeal, provided such recording or transcript of the Referee’s hearing shall be reviewed prior to the issuance of the Board’s decision on any appeal in which the appealing party alleges that a material question exists concerning the Referee’s findings of fact or the procedural conduct of the hearing held before the Referee. In addition, if a hearing was held by a referee at the direction of the Board, the hearing record of such hearing and the record of any preceding hearing held by the Appeals Division on such appeal shall be reviewed prior to the issuance of the Board decision.

(Effective January 1, 1988; Amended October 27, 1997; Amended June 3, 2021)

Sec. 31-237g-48. Decision of the Board: content and form; remand to Administrator or Referee

Latest version.

(a) Each appeal to the Board shall be decided with reasonable promptness following review. Except for a dismissal decision issued pursuant to Section 31-237g-41 or 31-237g-43 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies, the Board’s decision shall affirm, reverse, or modify the preceding decision or remand the case to the Referee or the Administrator for such further proceedings as the Board in such decision instructs. Upon such a remand to the Referee, unless otherwise specifically stated in the decision, the Board shall not retain jurisdiction of such appeal, and the rights and responsibilities attaching to the subsequent decision of the Referee shall be the rights and responsibilities normally applicable to such a decision. In remanding the case to the Administrator, the Board may retain jurisdiction. If the Board retains jurisdiction, upon the issuance of a new determination by the Administrator, the Board shall provide all parties to the appeal an opportunity to be heard and shall thereafter issue a decision affirming, reversing, or modifying the Administrator’s determination, provided that the Board shall not issue a decision if all parties to the appeal consent to the withdrawal of the appeal. If the Board does not retain jurisdiction, the Administrator’s determination shall inform the aggrieved party of its right to file a new appeal from the determination. The general provisions of Section 31-237g-49 (a) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies to the contrary notwithstanding, a Board decision remanding an appeal to the Referee or the Administrator shall not be separately appealable to the Superior Court, but may be made an additional ground for appeal from the final decision of the Referee or the Board on the merits of the case. An aggrieved party may, however, file a motion to reopen a decision remanding an appeal to the Referee or the Administrator. Where an appeal involves multiple issues, some of which are subject to the Board’s order of remand and others of which have been finally resolved by the Board’s decision, the aggrieved party does not waive its right to object to the Board’s decision on the issues finally resolved and may raise any such objection in the event of further appeal to the Board from the Referee’s decision on remand. Unless the Board specifically so directs, a decision of the Board remanding an appeal to the Administrator or the Referee shall not automatically vacate the preceding decision of the Referee.

(b) Each Board decision on an appeal shall be prepared and issued in accordance with Section 31-237g-13 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies and shall also list the date and location of any hearings held by the Board together with the names and identities of all persons attending such hearing. Except as otherwise provided in Sections 31-237g-41, 31-237g-11 (b) and 31-237g-43 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies, each Board decision shall also include:

(1) a citation to the law involved;

(2) a case history summarizing the proceedings prior to the date of the Board’s decision;

(3) a statement indicating whether the Board has reviewed the file record of such appeal;

(4) a statement indicating whether the Board reviewed the recording or transcript of the Referee’s hearing prior to issuing the decision;

(5) the Board’s decision on all timely-filed requests for a Board hearing on such appeal;

(6) a statement of the Board’s findings of fact which may adopt the Referee’s findings of fact;

(7) reasons for the Board’s decision which shall address the legal and factual claims stated in the appeal, timely-filed written argument, and oral argument presented at any hearing before the Board;

(8) citations to any specific precedents used to support the decision;

(9) the ultimate decision which may include a statement as to the action to be taken by the Administrator, if any, as a consequence of such ultimate decision;

(10) the signature, or reproduction thereof, of at least one member of the Board in favor of the decision and the name of each concurring member; and

(11) a statement that the full Board reviewed and decided such appeal if request for decision by the full Board was timely-filed or by statute the full Board was otherwise required to review and decide such appeal.

(c) The Board’s decision on an appeal may include any dissenting or concurring opinion which any member of the Board may wish to provide.

(d) If the Board determines that any appeal or motion to the Board was frivolous, the Board may in its decision on such appeal or motion, include a recommendation to the Administrator that, in the event of an appeal to Superior Court from such Board decision, the Administrator move the Court to rule such appeal to be frivolous and tax costs accordingly.

(Effective January 1, 1988; Amended October 27, 1997; Amended June 3, 2021)

Sec. 31-237g-49. Decision of the Board; final date; motions and appeal distinguished

Latest version.

(Statutory reference: 31-249a)

(a) The Board’s decision on an appeal shall become final on the thirty-first (31st) calendar day after the date on which a copy of such decision was sent to the parties’ addresses of record unless, prior to said thirty-first (31st) day:

(1) a party aggrieved by the decision files (A) an appeal to the Superior Court on such decision, or (B) a motion to the Board to reopen, vacate, set aside or modify such decision; or

(2) the Board, on its own motion, reopens, vacates, sets aside or modifies such decision in accordance with the terms of Section 31- 237g-50 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies.

(b) Every motion or appeal pursuant to this section shall be filed at any office of Employment Security, the Appeals Division, or any employment security office of any other state in which the filing party is located at the time of filing. Each such motion or appeal may be filed in person, by facsimile transmission (fax), by internet or by mail, but to be acceptable as timely-filed it must be actually received at such office prior to the expiration of the thirty-day (30) appeal period pursuant to Section 31-249a of the Connecticut General Statutes, must bear a legible United States Postal Service postmark which indicates that within such thirty-day (30) period it was placed in the possession of the postal authorities for delivery to the appropriate office, or must be received by fax or by internet as set forth in Section 31-237g-1(c) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies. Posting dates attributable to private postage meters shall not be considered in determining the timeliness of appeals filed by mail. If the last day for filing such a motion or appeal falls on a day when the office where such appeal was actually filed was not open for business, such last day shall be extended to the next business day of such office. Any appeal or motion filed after the thirty-day (30) period has expired may be considered timely if the filing party shows good cause for the late filing.

(c) A party has good cause for filing a motion to reopen after the thirty-day (30) appeal period if a reasonably prudent individual under the same or similar circumstances would have been prevented from filing a timely motion to reopen. In determining whether good cause has been shown, the Board shall consider all relevant factors, including but not limited to:

(1) The extent to which the party has demonstrated diligence in its previous dealings with the Administrator and the Employment Security Appeals Division;

(2) Whether the party was represented;

(3) The degree of the party’s familiarity with the procedures of the Appeals Division;

(4) Whether the party received timely and adequate notice of the need to act;

(5) Administrative error by the Administrator or Employment Security Appeals Division; or the failure of the Administrator, the Appeals Division, or any other party to discharge its responsibilities;

(6) Factors outside the control of the party which prevented a timely action;

(7) The party’s physical or mental impairment;

(8) Whether the party acted diligently in filing a motion to reopen once the reason for the late filing no longer existed;

(9) Where there is substantial prejudice to an adverse party which prevents such party from adequately presenting its case, the total length of time that the action was untimely;

(10) Coercion or intimidation which prevented the party from promptly filing its motion; and

(11) Good faith error, provided that in determining whether good faith error constitutes good cause the Board shall consider the extent of prejudice to any other party, any prior history of late filing due to such error, whether the motion is excessively late, and whether the party otherwise acted with due diligence.

(d) If a party alleges good cause for filing an appeal to the Superior Court after the thirty-day (30) appeal period, the Superior Court shall determine whether the appealing party has shown good cause by reference to the reasonably prudent individual standard contained in subsection (c) of this section together with all relevant factors pertaining to good cause, including but not limited to those factors cited therein. The Board, in certifying the record of proceedings to the Superior Court, shall include a proposed decision on the timeliness of any such appeal.

(e) An appeal to the Superior Court from the Board’s decision on an appeal generally has consequences different from a motion to the Board to reopen, vacate, set aside or modify such a decision. An appeal to the Superior Court may, regardless of its title, be treated and processed by the Board as such a motion for purposes of granting the motion by way of reopening, vacating, setting aside, or modifying the Board’s decision, solely in order to grant the relief requested. After an appeal to the Superior Court is processed as such an appeal, no motion to the Board to reopen, vacate, set aside, or modify the appealed decision shall thereafter be accepted or acted upon by the Board. After a motion to the Board to reopen, vacate, set aside or modify the decision is filed with the Board, both a Board decision denying such a motion and the preceding Board decision on the appeal may be appealed to the Superior Court not later than thirty (30) calendar days following the date the Board sent its decision denying such motion to the parties’ addresses of record. In the event that such a motion and an appeal are filed simultaneously, the Board shall accept and process whichever remedial petition it deems proper and the remaining petition shall be void. Whenever possible, the Board shall treat and process an appeal or motion in such a way as to preserve the right of the appealing party to seek further review by the Superior Court.

(Effective January 1, 1988; Amended October 27, 1997; Amended June 3, 2021)

Sec. 31-237g-50. Motion to the Board to reopen, vacate, set aside, or modify; motion for articulation

Latest version.

(Statutory reference: 31-249a)

(a) The Board may reopen, vacate, set aside or modify a Board decision on an appeal if the Board determines, for good cause shown, that new evidence or the ends of justice so require. Each motion to reopen, vacate, set aside or modify a Board decision on an appeal shall be filed by means of a typed or legibly printed statement which shall:

(1) be clearly entitled “Motion to the Board to reopen,” “Motion to the Board to vacate,” “Motion to the Board to set aside,” or “Motion to the Board to modify,” as the case may be, and otherwise comply with Section 31-237g-10(a) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies; and

(2) describe all reasons and good cause for such motion and, if new evidence is alleged as such a reason, the following shall be further specified:

(A) the identity and nature of such alleged new evidence;

(B) the reason why such alleged new evidence was not presented at the hearing previously scheduled; and

(b) Any such motion may be filed regarding the same Board decision by any party, but all such motions by such party shall be filed simultaneously and shall be filed by means of separate documents and no such motion by any party shall be permitted or accepted by the Board with regard to the Board decision upon a preceding motion filed by such party. The Board may process any such subsequent motion as an appeal to the Superior Court.

(c) No hearing shall be held upon such motions unless the Board determines that good cause exists for such a hearing. The Board shall with reasonable promptness review each such motion and issue a written decision thereon. The Board’s decision on any such motions shall be prepared and delivered in accordance with Section 31-237g-13(a) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies and shall include a statement as to the reasons for the decision. In any case wherein a further hearing is not scheduled as a consequence of a Board decision reopening, vacating, setting aside or modifying a Board decision, the Board shall provide all non-moving parties to such case with (1) a copy of or electronic access to such motion, together with all supplemental documentation filed in support of such motion, and (2) a reasonable opportunity to file a written response to such motion prior to the Board’s issuance of a new decision in the case.

(d) The Board may deny any such motion based upon the allegations of new evidence if the Board determines that the new evidence is unnecessarily duplicative or is not likely to affect the outcome of the case, or that the exercise of reasonable diligence by the moving party would have resulted in the presentation of such evidence at the hearing previously scheduled and the moving party does not otherwise show good cause for such party’s failure to present such evidence.

(e) Any party aggrieved by a decision of the Board with regard to any such motion may file an appeal to Superior Court not later than thirty (30) calendar days after the board’s decision was sent to the parties as set forth in subsections (b), (c), and (d) of Section 31-237g-49 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies.

(f) If the Board’s decision is so imprecise, incomplete, ambiguous, or contradictory that the Board’s ultimate decision, the extent of the relief granted, or the instructions for further proceedings upon remand cannot clearly be determined, any party or the Referee may file with the Board a motion for articulation of its decision. The Board’s articulation shall set forth the original intention of the Board and shall not in any way alter the substance of the Board’s original decision. An articulation by the Board is not a new decision and does not afford any party further right of appeal. Therefore, a party which is aggrieved by a decision of the Board and which wishes to have the substance of that decision changed shall file a motion to the Board to reopen pursuant to this section. A motion for articulation may be filed at any time, even after the Board’s decision has become final.

(Effective January 1, 1988; Amended October 27, 1997; Amended June 3, 2021)

Sec. 31-237g-51. Appeal to Superior Court

Latest version.

(Statutory reference: 31-249b)

(a) Each appeal petition to the Superior Court from the Board’s decision on an appeal shall be filed through a mechanism specified by the Appeals Division, or by means of a document which shall:

(1) state the grounds on which judicial review of the Board’s decision is sought; and

(2) be clearly entitled “appeal to superior court from decision of the employment security board of review” and otherwise prepared in accordance with Section 31-237g-10(a) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies.

(b) Following the Board’s receipt of such appeal, the Chairperson shall, pursuant to the existing law, cause the original appeal petition and the appeal record to be certified to the appropriate Superior Court. Such record shall consist of all pertinent file records concerning such appeal including:

(1) the relevant Administrator’s record in the file;

(2) all appeals and accompanying materials filed with the Appeals Division;

(3) all written notices and decisions of the Appeals Division;

(4) all written requests, motions, argument or material correspondence timely-filed or considered concerning such appeal;

(5) the Appeals Division record of oral requests, reports, notifications and decisions made concerning such appeal;

(6) all documents and exhibits admitted into evidence by the Appeals Division; and

(7) all other evidentiary material accepted by the Appeals Division.

(c) Each such certification to the Superior Court pursuant to subsection (b) of this section shall have, as a cover sheet, a notice of such certification which itemizes the appeal record thus certified. Such notice shall be prepared and delivered in accordance with Section 31-237g-13(a) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies and each copy of such notice mailed to the parties, attorneys and authorized agents of record shall include a copy of the appeal to the Superior Court.

(d) Any party who objects to the inclusion or exclusion of documents in the record certified to the Superior Court may file with the Board a request to correct the certification. The Board, upon notice to the parties, shall issue a written decision on such request and shall certify to the Court the request, any objection to the request, the Board’s decision, and any correction to the record originally certified.

(e) Upon request of the Superior Court, the Board shall prepare and certify to the Court a transcript of the hearing before the Referee or the Board, or both, as the Court may direct.

(Effective January 1, 1988; Amended October 27, 1997; Amended June 3, 2021)

Sec. 31-237g-51a. Motion to correct findings

Latest version.

(Statutory Reference: 31-249b; Practice Book Secs. 515A–518)

(a) A party seeking to have the findings of fact of the Board corrected must file a motion to correct findings of fact with the Board. Such motion must be filed not later than two weeks after the Board’s filing of the record of an appeal to the Superior Court. A party may, within such two- week period, seek an extension of time for the filing of such a motion, and the Board shall grant an extension where the moving party indicates that it has filed with the Superior Court a request that the Board prepare a transcript of the hearings before the Referee and the Board or otherwise demonstrates good cause for its request. The Board shall deny an untimely request for an extension of time unless the moving party demonstrates good cause for failing to file its request within the two- week period. For purposes of this provision, good cause shall include such factors listed in Section 31-237g-49 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies as may be relevant. The moving party shall indicate in and attach to its motion such portions of the evidence, including relevant portions of the transcript, which support each correction sought.

(b) Upon receipt of a motion to correct findings, the Board shall provide each adverse party notice of the filing of the motion. Each adverse party shall have seven (7) calendar days from the mailing of the Board’s notice in which to file with the Board objections to the motion to correct. Any objecting party may file with the Board additional evidence which it believes is relevant and material to the motion to correct.

(c) Upon expiration of the time provided for filing objections, the Board shall issue a written decision on the motion to correct. The Board shall certify to the Court the motion, any objection thereto, and the Board’s decision. If the Board denies the motion to correct in whole or in part, and the denial is made an additional ground of appeal to the Court, the Board shall certify to the Court all evidence and transcripts, not previously certified, which the Board deems relevant and material.

(d) Any party to the appeal may file claims of error concerning the Board’s decision on a motion to correct the finding. Such claims shall be filed with the Court not later than two weeks from the date on which the Board’s decision on the motion to correct was mailed to the party making the claim and shall contain a certification that a copy thereof has been served on the Board and on each other party to the appeal in accordance with Sections 10-12 to 10-17, inclusive, of the Connecticut Practice Book. The appellant shall include any claims of error in the appeal petition unless they are filed subsequent to the filing of that petition, in which case they shall be set forth in an amended petition.

(Effective January 1, 1988; Amended October 27, 1997; Amended June 3, 2021)

Sec. 31-237g-52. Scheduling of hearing; notice of hearing

Latest version.

(Statutory reference: 31-244a, 31-249)

(a) If the Board determines that a hearing shall be held by the Board, it shall promptly schedule such hearing at such time, date and place, if applicable, and in such manner as the Board deems necessary to give each party a reasonable opportunity for a fair hearing. Hearings before the Board may be scheduled and conducted for such limited purposes as the Board may direct, and the Board may limit the hearing exclusively to oral argument.

(b) Board hearings shall be conducted by telephone or other electronic means, except that the Board may prescribe an in-person hearing at its discretion. However, any party to the appeal or its attorney or authorized agent may, after providing notice to the Board, appear in person.

(c) Written notice of the day, date, time, manner and location of each hearing scheduled by the Board shall be sent to each party’s address of record, and to the attorney or authorized agent of record for such party, not less than seven (7) days prior to the scheduled hearing date, provided the parties may waive such notice or agree to a shorter period of time in advance of hearing for receiving such notice. Each such written notice shall:

(1) be prepared in accordance with Section 31-237g-13(a) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies;

(2) list the telephone number of the Appeals Division office which issued the notice;

(3) contain, or be accompanied by, a written statement as to the purpose of the hearing and the basic rights and responsibilities of the parties pursuant to such hearing; and

(4) provide notice of the issues which may be covered at such hearing and the sections of the Connecticut General Statutes or other law relating to such issue including a statement as to the legal authority and jurisdiction under which the hearing is to be held.

(Effective June 23, 1986; Amended October 27, 1997; Amended June 3, 2021)

Sec. 31-237g-53. Rescheduling; postponements

Latest version.

(a) A hearing scheduled by the Board may, for good cause, be rescheduled to another date, time or location, if applicable, at the initiative of the Board or upon the request of a party or the attorney or authorized agent for such party, which reveals good cause for such request. Such a request need not be in writing but shall be promptly made as far as possible in advance of the hearing and shall describe the good cause alleged for the request. Such a request shall be made to the office which issued the notice of hearing. The Board may request that the reasons given in oral rescheduling requests be subsequently confirmed in writing or sworn affidavit by the party, attorney or authorized agent who made the request. The Board shall, with regard to each such rescheduling request, promptly decide upon the request and record the following in the appeal file: (1) the person making such request; (2) the party on whose behalf the request was made; (3) the date and time such request was received; (4) the good cause alleged for such request; (5) the decision upon such request and the reasons therefor; (6) the manner in which such decision was conveyed to the requesting party; and (7) the name of the Appeals Division staff member involved with such communication. The Board may deny any request that is not based upon good cause or that is not timely made. The Board decision denying such a rescheduling request need not otherwise be in writing.

(b) Upon granting any such rescheduling request, the Board shall:

(1) promptly make a reasonable effort to verbally notify each party, and attorney or authorized agent of record for such party, as to the rescheduling if it is reasonable to assume that written notice of such rescheduling would not timely arrive, and record the date and time of such notification and the person to whom such notification was conveyed; and

(2) confirm such rescheduling with a written notice of rescheduling which shall be sent to all parties and list the following information: the party who made the request, the good cause alleged for the request, and, if known, the new day, date, time and place for the rescheduled hearing; if such notice indicates the new day, date, time and place, if applicable, of such hearing, such notice shall be in lieu of reissued notice otherwise required by Section 31-237g-52 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies.

(c) Any party aggrieved by the Board’s decision on a rescheduling request may petition for review of such decision but only as a part of any subsequent petition which addresses the Board’s eventual decision on the appeal by way of either an appeal to Superior Court or a motion to the Board to reopen, vacate, set aside or modify.

(Effective January 1, 1988; Amended October 27, 1997; Amended June 3, 2021)

Sec. 31-237g-54. Subpoenas

Latest version.

(Statutory reference: 31-245, 31-246, 31-247)

(a) The Chairperson may, at the Chairperson’s own initiative, upon the request of either of the other two Board members, or at the request of a party filed pursuant to this section, issue subpoenas to compel the attendance of witnesses at any hearing before the Board for the purpose of providing testimony or physical evidence, or both, if the Chairperson determines that the issuance of such subpoena is necessary to fairly adjudicate the appeal, provided the Chairperson shall in no event be required to issue a subpoena if the Chairperson determines that the issuance of same would constitute an abuse of process or be otherwise improper. Service of such subpoenas shall be made in accordance with Connecticut law and, unless otherwise arranged with the requesting party, the Board shall take responsibility for service of each subpoena issued by the Chairperson. If a Referee is delegated to conduct a Board hearing, the Referee shall have such subpoena authority with regard to such hearing as is set forth in Section 31- 237g-21 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies.

(b) Any party may request the Chairperson to issue a subpoena to compel the attendance at the hearing of any proposed witness for the purpose of providing testimony or physical evidence, or both. Such a request need not be in writing, but shall be promptly made as far as possible in advance of the scheduled hearing. In the absence of a properly issued subpoena, attendance at a Board hearing by any party or other person is not mandatory and therefore it is the responsibility of each party which intends or desires to examine or cross-examine any other party or person to request the issuance of a subpoena to insure the attendance of such other party or person at the Board’s hearing. The Chairperson may require that the reasons given in oral subpoena requests be subsequently confirmed in writing or sworn affidavit by the party, attorney, or authorized agent who made the request.

Each request shall:

(1) reveal the name of each such witness and the location, or locations, where each witness can be served;

(2) identify and describe all physical evidence requested and indicate why it is believed that the witness in question has control of such material;

(3) explain why each witness and item of physical evidence is necessary to the Board’s adjudication of the appeal; and

(4) indicate why such witness or physical evidence will be unavailable unless the requested subpoena is issued by the Chairperson.

(c) The Chairperson shall promptly decide such subpoena requests and notify the requesting party of the decision. Notice of such decision need not be in writing, but such notification shall be recorded in the appeal file. The Appeals Division may discuss such request with the opposing party or the proposed witness, or both, for purposes of obtaining the attendance of such proposed witness at the hearing by stipulation in lieu of subpoena. The Chairperson may refuse to grant a request for issuance of such a subpoena from a party that is, at the time such request is made, represented by an attorney with independent subpoena authority sufficient to issue such a subpoena. Any party aggrieved by the Chairperson’s decision on a subpoena request may petition for review of such decision, but only as a part of any subsequent petition which addresses the Board’s eventual decision on the appeal by way of either an appeal to Superior Court or a motion to the Board to reopen, vacate, set aside or modify.

(d) If any person refuses to obey a subpoena issued by the Board the Chairperson may request the Attorney General to make application to the Superior Court for an order requiring such person to appear before the Board to provide testimony or the physical evidence in question.

(e) Subject to the approval of the Chairperson, witnesses appearing before the Board pursuant to a subpoena issued by the Chairperson pursuant to this section shall be allowed fees as provided by Connecticut Law in civil actions.

(f) If the Chairperson determines that the fair adjudication of an appeal before the Board requires the issuance of a subpoena in a jurisdiction beyond Connecticut, the Chairperson shall thereupon request the appropriate authorities of said jurisdiction to either issue such subpoena or take such other action as will reasonably resolve the need for same.

(Effective June 23, 1986; Amended October 27, 1997; Amended June 3, 2021)

Sec. 31-237g-55. Failure to timely appear at hearing

Latest version.

(a) A party shall be deemed to have failed to timely appear at a scheduled hearing before the Board when such party fails to telephone the designated Board hearing number or to appear in person at the Board’s office, not later than ten (10) minutes after the scheduled time for such hearing. A party may be deemed to have appeared if an attorney, authorized agent or witness appears on behalf of such party within such ten (10) minutes. Unless otherwise stipulated with the consent of the Board, the watch or timepiece of the Chairperson, or the person to whom the Chairperson has delegated the authority to conduct the hearing, shall be the sole instrument by which timely appearance at the hearing is determined.

(b) If any party fails to appear the Board may:

(1) proceed with the hearing and take the evidence and argument put forward by the parties present; or

(2) reschedule or continue the hearing if the Board reasonably determines that good cause exists for doing so, which good cause may include but need not be limited to defective notice of hearing; or

(3) decide the case on the basis of the existing record without proceeding with the hearing except that if the appearing party shows good cause for proceeding with the hearing, the Board shall take the evidence and argument put forward by the parties present.

(c) When any party, attorney or authorized agent realizes that such party, attorney or agent will likely be unable to timely appear at a scheduled hearing before the Board, it is the responsibility of such party, attorney or agent to immediately report such fact, and the reason therefor, to the office of the Board. The Appeals Division shall record such report and the time it was received, in the file of such case. Such report shall be part of the record of the case. The Board may refuse to grant a motion to reopen, vacate, set aside or modify filed on behalf of any party which failed to timely reveal good cause for the failure of such party, or that party’s representative, to timely appear at the scheduled hearing or to give timely notice to the Appeals Division of its inability to appear.

(d) When any party, attorney, authorized agent or witness appears for the Board’s hearing at a time subsequent to the disposition of that hearing, the Board shall record in the file of such case the time and reason given, if any, for such late arrival.

(e) For purposes of this section, good cause shall include such factors listed in Section 31-237g-34 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies as may be relevant to a party’s failure to appear.

(Effective January 1, 1988; Amended October 27, 1997; Amended June 3, 2021)

Sec. 31-237g-56. Responsibility of party to present testimony and evidence

Latest version.

(a) Subject to the Board’s right to determine the scope of the hearing and to control the admission of testimony and evidence, it is the responsibility of each party to present at the hearing before the Board all witnesses, testimony, evidence, and argument material to such party’s contentions concerning the appeal. Testimony and evidence personally presented at the hearing by individuals with actual personal knowledge of the facts in question is preferred, provided the weight to be accorded such testimony and evidence shall be determined by the Board with consideration to the circumstances of each appeal. Any party, who, without good cause, fails to present at the hearing all testimony, evidence and oral argument material to such party’s contentions concerning the appeal may be deemed to have assented to the Board’s decision of the appeal solely on the basis of the credible testimony, evidence and oral argument presented at such hearing and the records already on file. The Board may refuse to provide, by reopening, remand or otherwise, a further hearing for purposes of presenting testimony, evidence or oral argument not presented at the Board’s hearing duly scheduled in any case wherein it is determined that, through the exercise of due diligence by the party involved, such testimony, evidence or argument could have been presented at such hearing and there was no good cause for such party’s failure to do so.

(b) Immediately upon receipt of the written notice of a hearing, it shall be the responsibility of each party to:

(1) pursuant to the provisions of Section 31-237g-10(a) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies, mail or fax directly to the Board’s office, all proposed documentary evidence or written materials which such party wishes to introduce during such hearing;

(2) pursuant to Section 31-237g-52(b) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies notify the Board if it intends to appear in person;

(3) arrange to have all witnesses that such party intends to introduce at such hearing (A) available to participate by telephone or by other electronic means specified by the Board, or (B) present at the Board’s office, provided that the party notifies the Board, or (C) present at such location as the Board directs will be acceptable; and

(Effective January 1, 1988; Amended October 27, 1997; Amended June 3, 2021)

Sec. 31-237g-57. Right of party to request interpreter or reasonable accommodation

Latest version.

(Statutory reference: 17-137k, 17-137p)

(a) Individuals with limited-English proficiency, or who are deaf or hearing impaired, shall have the right to request an interpreter provided by the Appeals Division. The Board may require the use of an interpreter for any person who cannot adequately speak or understand spoken English and for whom a capable interpreter has not been requested.

(b) Any document entered in the record that is written in a language other than English shall be interpreted at the hearing by a competent interpreter or accompanied by a correct English translation with proof satisfactory to the Referee that such translation is a correct translation of the original document.

(c) Any party or witness may request a reasonable accommodation that is necessary to allow that individual to participate in an Appeals Division hearing.

(Effective January 1, 1988; Amended June 3, 2021)

Sec. 31-237g-58. Hearing record

Latest version.

(Statutory reference: 31-244a)

(a) The Board shall prepare or arrange to have prepared, by a recording susceptible to transcription, a complete hearing record of all proceedings at any hearing before the Board. Such hearing record shall be the official hearing record.

(b) Any party or witness at a hearing before the Board may prepare its own recording of such hearing provided:

(1) the Chairperson may at any time refuse to permit or may order such person to discontinue the preparation of such private record if the Chairperson deems the preparation of such private record to limit the fairness or effectiveness of the hearing on the condition that the Chairperson state on the record the Chairperson’s reasons for such order; and

(2) such private record of the hearing may not, except upon the stipulation of all parties and the consent of the Chairperson, be allowed to contravene, supplement or otherwise affect the official hearing record prepared by the Board.

(c) The Chairperson may permit limited discussions to occur off the hearing record for good cause. If the Chairperson permits any such proceedings to occur off the record, the Chairperson shall, prior to going off the record, announce such fact, including the reason therefor, and immediately upon thereafter resuming proceedings on the record the Chairperson shall summarize the essentials of such off-the-record discussions. For purposes of this section the term Chairperson shall include any person to whom the Chairperson has delegated the authority to conduct the hearing.

(Effective June 23, 1986; Amended June 3, 2021)

Sec. 31-237g-59. Rights of parties at hearings

Latest version.

Subject to the authority and control of the Chairperson, such rights otherwise provided in Sections 31-237g-1 to 31-237g-60, inclusive, of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies, and the limited purposes for which the hearing may be scheduled, parties to a hearing before the Board shall have the right to:

(a) present a brief opening statement as to such party’s position concerning such appeal;

(b) testify on any matter relevant and material to the issues involved;

(c) introduce evidence and exhibits relevant and material to the issues involved. Proposed documentary evidence must be submitted in time to ensure receipt of the documents at least twenty-four hours prior to the time of the scheduled hearing or such evidence may be excluded pursuant to Section 31-237g-60(e) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies;

(d) call and examine any party or witness on any matter relevant and material to the issues involved;

(e) cross-examine any opposing party or witness on any matter relevant and material to the issues involved even if such matter was not covered in direct examination of such party or witness;

(f) impeach any party;

(g) impeach any witness regardless of which party first called such witness to testify;

(h) object to questions, the introduction of evidence, or the conduct of the hearing, provided the reason for any such objection is specified at the time of the objection;

(i) rebut the evidence and testimony against such party;

(j) present oral argument on the issues involved; and

(k) briefly summarize such party’s position concerning the appeal at the conclusion of testimony. For purposes of this section, the term Chairperson shall include any person to whom the Chairperson has delegated the authority to conduct the hearing.

(Effective June 23, 1986; Amended October 27, 1997; Amended June 3, 2021)

Sec. 31-237g-60. Conduct of hearing

Latest version.

(Statutory reference: 31-245)

(a) The Chairperson shall conduct and control the meeting. For purposes of this section the term Chairperson shall include any person to whom the Chairperson has delegated the authority to conduct the hearing. The Board shall not be bound by the ordinary common law or statutory rules of evidence or procedure. Subject to the purposes of the hearing, the Board shall make inquiry in such manner, through oral testimony and written and printed records, and take any action consistent with the impartial discharge of its duties, as is best calculated to ascertain the relevant facts and the substantial rights of the parties, furnish a fair and expeditious hearing, and render a proper and complete decision. Subject to the Chairperson’s control of the hearing, the Board may, at any time, examine or cross- examine any party or witness, and require such evidence as the Board determines to be necessary for a proper and complete decision. The Chairperson may, at any time, indicate on the record that the testimony being presented is not being supplied by a person with actual personal knowledge of the facts in question. Subject to the Chairperson’s control of the hearing, the Counsel or other legal staff of the board may participate in the hearing. The Chairperson shall determine the order for presentation of evidence, and may exclude testimony and evidence which the Chairperson determines to be incompetent, irrelevant, unduly repetitious, or otherwise improper. When a party is not represented by an attorney, the Chairperson shall, as the Chairperson deems necessary in the interests of justice, advise such party as to such party’s rights, aid in examining and cross-examining witnesses and in presenting evidence, and otherwise render such assistance as is compatible with the impartial discharge of the Chairperson’s duties.

(b) The Chairperson has authority to administer oaths and affirmations. All testimony at the hearing before the Board shall be under oath or affirmation which shall be included on the hearing record. Any interpreter participating in such hearing shall so interpret under the separate oath for interpreters which shall also be included on the hearing record. Upon administering such oath or affirmation, the Chairperson may require the interpreter to interpret, to the extent possible, word for word in the first person as the person being interpreted for so communicates.

(c) The hearing shall be confined to the purposes and issues listed on the notice of hearing issued pursuant to Section 31-237g-52(e) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies. The hearing may also cover, at the discretion of the Chairperson, any separate issue which the parties are prepared and willing to go forward on and on which they expressly waive right to notice of.

(d) At the commencement of the hearing the Chairperson shall, on the hearing record:

(1) announce the title and case number of the appeal;

(2) announce the commencement time, date and location of the hearing;

(3) announce the identity of the Board and staff members present;

(5) explain the procedure to be followed at the hearing, including an advisement as to the Chairperson’s full authority over the conduct of the hearing;

(6) indicate that the hearing will be recorded and that the official record thus obtained will be kept during the pendency of the appeal;

(7) summarize the rights and responsibilities of the parties at the hearing;

(8) indicate that a written decision upon the appeal will be sent by the Board to all parties and representatives with reasonable promptness following the close of the hearing and advise the parties as to the appeal rights of any party aggrieved by such decision;

(9) advise the claimant to continue to file benefit claims as instructed by the Administrator in order to preserve the claimant’s rights during the pendency of the appeal;

(10) summarize the case history of the appeal and indicate the issues which appear to be involved; and

(11) announce that the Board has statutory power to authorize and limit the fees payable for representation of a claimant in such proceedings and that if either the claimant or such representative requests, the Board shall rule on that matter.

(e) All documents and records which the Chairperson accepts into evidence shall be clearly and separately labeled by the Chairperson to indicate the party submitting same and shall be included in the file record. Documentary evidence may be received in the form of legible photocopies. Physical evidence shall also be labeled and placed in the file record if practicable, or otherwise described in detail by the Chairperson on the hearing record. If any party seeks to introduce at such hearing any documentary evidence or material of which the Appeals Division or any other party has not, at the time of the hearing, yet received a copy, the Chairperson shall require a specific identification of such material and an explanation of the alleged importance of such documentary evidence or material to the appeal involved. The Chairperson may exclude such documentary evidence or material unless the Chairperson determines that such material is critical to the determination of the appeal. The Chairperson may: (1) if practicable, permit such documentary evidence or material to be read into the record provided that such documentary evidence or material shall thereafter be filed with the Chairperson and all other parties in accordance with the time limitation that the Chairperson may reasonably direct; (2) if the Chairperson deems it necessary and appropriate, reschedule the hearing; or (3) take such other action as the Chairperson deems appropriate. Any party who takes exception to such written materials excluded under this provision from the hearing or filed after the hearing and who is aggrieved by the Board of Review’s subsequent decision on the appeal may file a motion to reopen, vacate or set aside such decision for purposes of requesting the opportunity to file other written materials in rebuttal or the opportunity for a further hearing on the matter.

(f) Hearings shall be open to the public unless, consistent with the Freedom of Information Act and other applicable provisions of the Connecticut General Statutes, the Chairperson finds sufficient cause for a closed hearing. The Chairperson may sequester a witness during a portion of the hearing if the Chairperson deems such sequestration to promote the effective conduct of the hearing. Whenever the hearing is closed or reopened to the public, or a witness is excluded or readmitted to the hearing, the Chairperson shall so indicate upon the hearing record along with the Chairperson’s reason for such action. If a party, attorney or authorized agent, appears at the hearing after the commencement of the hearing the Chairperson shall note the time of the late arrival, and may summarize the proceedings up to that point before proceeding with the hearing.

(g) The Chairperson shall not permit improper behavior or tactics, including the intentional disregard of Sections 31-237g-1 to 31-237g-60, inclusive, of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies or the proper instructions of the Chairperson, which are disruptive to the fair, orderly or effective conduct of the hearing. Any person, attorney or authorized agent other than a party who engages in such improper conduct shall be warned by the Chairperson, on the hearing record, against continued such behavior and if such person thereafter persists in such proscribed conduct the Chairperson may, if the Chairperson deems it necessary, expel such person from the hearing. Any party that engages in such improper conduct shall be warned by the Chairperson, on the hearing record, against continued such behavior and if such party thereafter persists in such behavior the Chairperson may, if the Chairperson deems it necessary, (1) proceed with the hearing under such instructions and conditions as the Chairperson deems fair and appropriate; (2) recess or reschedule the hearing; or (3) close the hearing and issue a decision based upon the testimony and evidence received.

(h) A hearing before the Chairperson may, at the initiative of the Chairperson, or the oral or written request of a party, be briefly recessed or continued to another time, date, or place if the Chairperson determines that good cause exists for such recess or continuance. Such good cause shall be stated on the record. Unless waived by all parties present, notice of a continuance shall be issued by the Board pursuant to Section 31-237g-52 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies.

(i) The Chairperson may permit any party, or the attorney or authorized agent of record for such party, to file with the Board at the hearing written argument concerning such appeal provided a copy of such argument is delivered to each other party present at such hearing. Such written argument may supplement but not serve in lieu of testimony and evidence presented under oath at the hearing duly scheduled upon an appeal, and in no case will evidentiary allegations contained in such written argument be considered or treated by the Board in the same fashion as such testimony or evidence of record.

(j) At the conclusion of the hearing the Chairperson shall announce on the record both the fact and time of such conclusion. The Chairperson may, prior to such conclusion, at the Chairperson’s own initiative or upon the request of a party for good cause shown, on the record grant a limited extension of time, prior to the issuance of the Board’s decision, for the filing by a party of additional documents or written argument provided the significance and identity of such documents are described at the time of the granting of such extension and each other party present is advised of its right to request a reasonable amount of time following the submittal of such documents in which to file a written rebuttal. Any such party which requests such opportunity for rebuttal shall be permitted a reasonable amount of time, as determined by the Chairperson, to do so. All such written materials thereafter filed following the hearing shall be filed in accordance with Section 31-237g-10 (a) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies or as the Chairperson prescribes.

(k) If any party seeks to introduce at such hearing any documentary evidence or material which the Appeals Division or any other party has not, at the time of the hearing, yet received a copy, the Chairperson may require a specific identification of such material and an explanation of the alleged importance of such documentary evidence or material to the appeal involved. If as a result of such explanation the Chairperson determines that such material is important to the appeal, the Chairperson may: (1) if practicable, permit such documentary evidence or material to be read into the record provided that, pursuant to the provisions of Section 31-237g-10 (a) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies such documentary evidence or material shall thereafter be filed with the Board and the other parties in accordance with the time limitation that the Chairperson may reasonably direct; and (2) if the Chairperson deems it necessary, take such other action as the Chairperson deems appropriate. Any party who takes exception to such written materials filed after the hearing and is aggrieved by the Board’s subsequent decision on the appeal may file, pursuant to Section 31-237g-50 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies, a motion to reopen, vacate or set aside such decision for purposes of requesting the opportunity to file other written materials in rebuttal or the opportunity for a further hearing on the matter.

(Effective June 23, 1986; Amended October 27, 1997; Amended June 3, 2021)

Sec. 31-237g-61—31-237g-100. [Reserved]

Sec. 31-237g-101. Definitions

Latest version.

For purposes of sections 31-237g-101 through 31-237g-107:

(a) "Administrator" means the Commissioner of Labor, whose address is 200 Folly Brook Boulevard, Wethersfield, Connecticut 06109, and his/her designated representatives.

(b) "Appeals Division" means the Employment Security Appeals Division of the Connecticut Labor Department, consisting of the Board of Review, the Referee Section, and all support staff employed in the Appeals Division for discharge of the Appeals Divisions' responsibilities as set forth in chapter 567 of the Connecticut General Statutes.

(c) "Authorized agent" means any person who is, pursuant to section 31-237g-11 (b) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies, duly authorized by a party to represent such party in a proceeding before the Appeals Division.

(d) "Board" means the Employment Security Board of Review.

(e) "Chairman" means the Chairman of the Employment Security Board of Review, whose address is 200 Folly Brook Boulevard, Wethersfield, Connecticut 06109.

(f) "Contested case" means a proceeding, in which the legal rights, duties or privileges of a party are required by statute to be determined by the Board after an opportunity for hearing or in which a hearing is in fact held, but does not include proceedings on a petition for a declaratory ruling under section 4-176 of the Connecticut General Statutes or hearings referred to in section 4-168 of the Connecticut General Statutes. Any matter which may come before the Appeals Division under chapter 567 of the Connecticut General Statutes, including matters brought pursuant to section 31-237j (a) of the Connecticut General Statutes, is a contested case.

(g) "Intervenor" means a person, other than a party, granted status as an intervenor by the Board in accordance with the provisions of sections 4-176 (d) or 4-177a (b) of the Connecticut General Statutes and section 31-237g-105 (d) of these regulations.

(h) "Party" means each person (A) whose legal rights, duties or privileges are required by statute to be determined by the Board and who is named or admitted as a party, (B) who is required by law to be a party in a Board proceeding, or (C) who is granted status as a party in accordance with the provisions section 4-177a (a) of the Connecticut General Statutes and section 31-237g-105 (c) of these regulations. The Administrator is a party to any proceeding before the Board.

(i) "Person" means any individual, partnership, corporation, association, governmental subdivision, agency, or public or private organization of any character, but does not include the Board of Review.

(j) "Referee" means an Employment Security Appeals Referee.

(Effective March 30, 1990)

Sec. 31-237g-102. Scope of regulations on declaratory rulings

Latest version.

(a) Appropriate Subjects for Declaratory Rulings.

Sections 31-237g-101 to 31-237g-107, inclusive, set forth the rules of the Employment Security Board of Review governing the form and content of petitions for declaratory rulings and agency proceedings on such petitions. Petitions for declaratory rulings may be filed as to: (1) the validity of any regulation, or (2) the applicability to specified circumstances of a provision of the Connecticut General Statutes, a regulation, or a final decision on a matter within the jurisdiction of the Board. Any petition for a declaratory ruling not addressed to one of these two categories will be rejected in writing by the Board as not being the proper subject for a declaratory ruling.

(b) When Declaratory Rulings not Favored. The Board of Review may, in its discretion, issue a declaratory ruling regarding the applicability of a statute, regulation, or final decision to specified circumstances. However, such declaratory rulings are generally not appropriate because of their impact on the adjudication process and thus are disfavored. In those instances in which a declaratory ruling is appropriate, a ruling by the Administrator rather than the Board may be less disruptive of the adjudicatory process and may provide an adequate remedy. Before deciding to issue a declaratory ruling, the Board will consult with the Administrator about the appropriate agency to issue the ruling. If the Board decides to issue a declaratory ruling, the Administrator shall be a party to the proceeding since its interests will be affected by any declaratory ruling issued.

(c) Declaratory Rulings on the Board's Initiative. The Board of Review may, on its own initiative, decide to issue a declaratory ruling. Notice of the Board's intent will be provided to those persons identified in section 31-237g-104 (a) of these regulations.

(Effective March 30, 1990)

Sec. 31-237g-103. Form and content of petitions

Latest version.

(a) General. All petitions for declaratory rulings must be addressed to the Board of Review and either mailed or hand delivered to the Board's office. All petitions must be signed by the person filing the petition, unless represented by an attorney or authorized agent, in which case the agent or attorney may sign the petition. The petition must include the address and telephone number of the person filing the petition and of the agent or attorney, if applicable.

(b) Petitions on Validity of Regulations. A petition for a declaratory ruling on the validity of a regulation must contain the following:

(1) the section number and text of the regulation;

(2) the specific basis for the claim of invalidity of the regulation;

(3) any argument by the petitioner in support of the claim of invalidity, with a suggested remedy;

(4) a detailed statement addressing the factors listed in section 31-237g-107 (b) of these regulations; and

(5) a statement of the reason the petition is filed with the Board of Review. Any petition which merely requests a ruling on the validity of the regulation but which does not contain a detailed claim of invalidity, will be rejected by the Board as incomplete.

(c) Petitions on Applicability of Statute, Regulation, or Final Decision to Specified Circumstances. A petition seeking a declaratory ruling on the applicability of a statute, regulation, or final decision on a matter within the jurisdiction of the Board to specified circumstances must contain the following:

(1) the specific statute, regulation, or final decision upon which the ruling is sought;

(2) a brief explanation of why the particular statute, regulation, or final decision is within the jurisdiction of the Board;

(3) a statement of the reason the petition was filed with the Board rather than the Administrator;

(4) a detailed description of the specified circumstances upon which the petition is based;

(5) any argument by the petitioner as to why the particular statute, regulation, or final order either is or is not applicable to the specified circumstances; and

(6) a detailed statement addressing the factors listed in section 31-237g-107 (b) of these regulations.

Any petition failing to identify the statute, regulation or final decision in question or failing adequately to describe the specified circumstances will be rejected by the Board as incomplete.

(d) Notice by Petitioner. The petitioner, or his authorized agent or attorney, shall append to the petition for a declaratory ruling a listing of all persons, with addresses and telephone numbers, who may have an interest in the declaratory ruling sought to be issued and shall mail a copy of the petition to all such persons. The petitioner or his agent or attorney must certify that a copy of the petition was mailed to all such persons together with this statement: "Should you wish to participate in the proceedings on this petition, or receive notice of such proceedings or the declaratory ruling issued as a result of this petition, you should contact the Board of Review within thirty (30) days of the date of this petition."

(Effective March 30, 1990)

Sec. 31-237g-104. Notice by board of receipt of petition

Latest version.

(a) Persons to Receive Notice. In addition to the notice required to be given by the petitioner in section 31-237g-103 (d) of these regulations, the Board shall, within thirty (30) days after the receipt of such petition, provide written notice of the filing of the petition (1) to all persons required by law to receive notice, (2) to all persons who have requested notice of the filing of such petitions on the subject matter of the petition, (3) to all persons who have requested notice of the filing of any petitions with the agency, (4) the petitioner and (5) the Administrator. The notice required by this section shall not be required where the agency has rejected the filing of a petition as inappropriate or incomplete in accordance with section 31-237g-102 or subsections (b) or (c) of section 31-237g-103 of these regulations. If the Board initiates a declaratory ruling proceeding, notice containing the specific statute, regulation, or final decision and the issue under consideration will be given to the persons indicated above.

(b) Content of Notice. The notice issued by the Board will advise recipients that a person may file a motion to become a party or intervenor within forty-five (45) days of the date of filing of the petition. If a motion sets forth facts demonstrating that the proposed party satisfies the requirements of section 31-237g-105 (c) of these regulations, the Board may grant the motion to become a party. If the motion satisfies the requirements of section 31-237g-105 (d) of these regulations, the Board may grant intervenor status. The notice will contain a statement that, within ten (10) days of the issuance of the Board's notice, a party or intervenor may request a hearing on the subject matter of the petition for a declaratory ruling. Such a request should describe the evidence or argument proposed to be introduced into the record and should explain the significance of such evidence or argument to the proceeding. The notice will also provide that any party or intervenor will have ten (10) days following the issuance of the notice to submit written argument. Any party or intervenor may request an extension of the time for filing written argument or request additional time in which to file a rebuttal. Argument filed beyond the time allowed will be considered if it is possible to do so before the Board issues its decision.

(Effective March 30, 1990)

Sec. 31-237g-105. Procedural rights of persons with respect to declaratory rulings

Latest version.

(a) Petitioner as Party. The petitioner is automatically a party to any proceeding on the petition by virtue of having filed the petition and need not seek designation as a party from the Board.

(b) Administrator as Party. The Administrator is automatically a party to any declaratory ruling proceeding before the Board and need not seek designation as a party from the Board.

(c) Additional Parties. Any person, whether or not in receipt of notice of the petition, may file a motion to become a party within forty-five (45) days from the date of filing of the petition. If the motion to become a party sets forth facts demonstrating that the person's legal rights, duties or privileges will be specifically affected by the declaratory ruling to be issued, the Board may grant the motion and designate the person as a party. The Board will issue a ruling on such motion to the person filing the motion, the parties, and any intervenors. A copy of the notice provided in section 31-237g-104 (a) of these regulations will be included with any ruling granting a person the status of a party. Pursuant to section 31-237g-104 (b) of these regulations, persons granted the status of a party are entitled to request a hearing and to submit written argument.

(d) Intervenors. Any person, whether or not in receipt of notice of the petition, may file a motion to become an intervenor within forty-five (45) days from the date of filing of the petition. If the motion sets forth facts demonstrating that the proposed intervenor's participation is in the interest of justice and will not disrupt the orderly conduct of the proceedings, the agency may grant the motion and designate the person as an intervenor. In addition, any person whose motion for designation as a party is denied may be granted intervenor status if the granting of such status is in the interest of justice and will not disrupt the orderly conduct of the proceedings. The Board will issue a ruling on such motion to the person filing the motion, the parties, and any intervenors. A copy of the notice provided in section 31-237g-104 (a) of these regulations will be included with any ruling granting a person the status of intervenor. Pursuant to section 31-237g-104 (b) of these regulations, persons designated as intervenors are entitled to submit written argument or request a hearing. The Chairman may restrict the rights of an intervenor in the proceeding so as to promote the orderly conduct of the proceeding.

(Effective March 30, 1990)

Sec. 31-237g-106. Board proceedings on petition

Latest version.

(a) Board Action. Within sixty (60) days after the filing of a complete petition for a declaratory ruling, but, in any case, no sooner than thirty (30) days after the filing of the petition, the Board shall do one of the following, in writing:

(1) issue a declaratory ruling, in accordance with the request in the petition, containing the names of all parties to and intervenors in the proceeding, the particular facts upon which the ruling is based, and the reasons for the conclusions contained therein;

(2) order that the matter be the subject of a hearing as a contested case;

(3) notify the parties and intervenors that a declaratory ruling will be issued by a date certain;

(4) decide not to issue a declaratory ruling and initiate regulation making proceedings; or

(5) decide not to issue a declaratory ruling, stating the reasons for its action.

(b) Notice. A copy of the Board's action taken in accordance with subsection (a) of this section shall be delivered to the petitioner and all other parties either in person or by United States mail, certified or registered, postage prepaid, return receipt requested. Copies of the Board's action will be sent to any intervenor by first class mail.

(c) Hearing. Notice of a hearing ordered pursuant to subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of this section shall be given to parties and intervenors in accordance with the application procedures set forth in section 31-237g-52 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies. The hearing will be conducted in accordance with the applicable procedures set forth in section 31-237g-44 and section 31-237g-54 through section 31-237g-60 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies. The chairman may limit the participation of any intervenor in the hearing.

(d) Record. The Board will keep a record of the proceedings, which shall include:

(1) written notices related to the case;

(2) all petitions, pleadings, motions, argument, and intermediate rulings;

(3) evidence received or considered;

(4) the official tape recording of any hearing, including any objections, rulings, and offers of proof; and

(5) the final decision.

(Effective March 30, 1990)

Sec. 31-237g-107. Content, form, and effect of declaratory rulings

Latest version.

(a) Decision, Content and Form. Each declaratory ruling will contain:

(1) citations to the law involved;

(2) the Board's decision on any timely-filed request for a hearing;

(3) a statement of facts stipulated or found by the Board, when necessary for the decision;

(4) the reasons for the decision, including a response to the legal claims raised by the parties;

(5) citations to specific precedents used to support the decision; and

(6) any dissenting or concurring opinion filed by any member of the Board.

(b) Decision Not to Issue a Ruling. In the event the Board declines to exercise its discretion to issue a declaratory ruling, the Board will issue a decision dismissing the petition and indicating the reasons for the decision. The factors considered by the Board in determining whether to exercise its discretion to issue a declaratory ruling include, but are not limited to:

(1) whether the subject matter will become an issue in controversy in the foreseeable future and adjudication under the provisions of the Unemployment Compensation Act will be necessary;

(2) whether the ruling involves solely a question of law or is dependent on the particular factual circumstances. If the ruling is dependent upon the factual circumstances, the likelihood that an evidentiary hearing will be necessary to issue a ruling;

(3) whether the facts necessary to resolve the matter are developed and the matter is ripe for a declaratory ruling;

(4) the particular interests affected by the ruling; the petitioner's purpose for obtaining a ruling; and the number of persons directly affected;

(5) the number of persons in substantially similar circumstances;

(6) whether the decision will have significant precedential value;

(7) the complexity of the legal and factual issues presented;

(8) the potential impact of the ruling on the normal adjudicatory process under the Unemployment Compensation Act;

(9) whether the normal adjudicatory process, including such alternative procedures as certification of questions of law to the Board by the Administrator or Referee, provides a suitable alternative to a declaratory ruling;

(10) whether a declaratory ruling would be more appropriately issued by the Administrator or by the Board;

(11) whether the administrative costs and burdens of a declaratory ruling are justified by the scope of the interests affected, and the availability of any alternative forum; and

(12) the Board's interest in clarifying the law, resolving inconsistency, or correcting erroneous decisions or interpretations.

(c) Effective Date, Appeal Date. Declaratory rulings shall be effective when personally delivered or mailed, or on such later date specified by the Board in the ruling. For the purposes of any appeal to the Superior Court from a declaratory ruling, the date of personal delivery or mailing shall control.

(d) Effect of Declaratory Ruling. Pursuant to Conn. Gen. Stat. section 4-176 (h), a declaratory ruling is a final decision in a contested case for the purposes of any appeal. Appeals from a declaratory ruling are governed by Conn. Gen. Stat. section 4-183, and not the provisions of chapter 567 of the Connecticut General Statutes.

(e) Failure to Act. If the Board does not issue a declaratory ruling on a complete petition within 180 days after the filing of the petition, or later if agreed to by the parties, the Board shall be deemed to have decided not to issue a ruling. Thereafter, the petitioner may seek a declaratory judgment in Superior Court pursuant to section 4-175 of the Connecticut General Statutes.

(Effective March 30, 1990)