Civil Rights
The Connecticut Office of the Attorney General protects and enforces the civil rights of all Connecticut residents. We promote equal justice under the law and are committed to the vigorous enforcement of federal and state civil rights laws. We investigate and pursue action where there may be a “pattern or practice” of civil rights violations, including systemic failures to comply with state and federal civil rights laws.
Through our civil rights authority, the Office of the Attorney General can address a wide variety of civil rights issues, including but not limited to: discrimination in places of public accommodation, worker’s rights, education rights, employment and housing discrimination, disability rights, immigrant rights, and children’s rights. We work closely with state, federal and local government agencies, and civil rights and community organizations to identify potential civil rights initiatives or violations. Our office does not have the authority to address civil rights violations alleged to have been committed by State officials acting in their official capacities or State agencies.
On a more national level, with the federal government abandoning its responsibility to enforce federal civil rights laws, Connecticut has stepped up its efforts to protect populations that have historically faced bias and discrimination. At the same time, we have pushed back against federal efforts to deny basic legal protections for vulnerable populations like minority and immigrant groups.
HATE CRIMES
The Office of the Attorney General also works to combat hate in Connecticut through our civil enforcement authority. Our office does not have criminal authority to prosecute perpetrators of hate crimes but has authority to investigate and–-when evidence warrants—bring a civil action against the perpetrator of three specific hate-based offenses. This authority allows the Attorney General to stop hate and help victims of hate crimes.
If you need to report a hate crime, you should call your local police. You can also report any hate crime or bias incident by:
Contacting the Hate Crimes Investigative Unit of the Connecticut State Police at hate.crimes@ct.gov and
Reporting a hate crime or bias incident to the Hate Crimes Advisory Council by clicking here: Reporthate.ct.gov.
Report a hate crime or make a civil rights complaint to the Office of the Attorney General by clicking here: AG.CivilRights@ct.gov
(*Information submitted to the Office of the Attorney General may be considered public information and subject to disclosure under the Connecticut Freedom Of Information Act, Connecticut General Statutes Section 1-200 et. seq.)
Resources
Trust Act Guidance
Memorandum to Public Officials, Public Agencies and Private Organizations
Recent News:
12/18/2025 - Attorney General Tong Statement on Trump Proposed Rules to End Medicaid and Medicare Funding for Hospitals Over Gender Affirming Care12/15/2025 - Attorney General Tong Secures Court Order Protecting SNAP Benefits
11/26/2025 - Attorney General Tong Sues to Block Unlawful SNAP Eligibility Guidance
11/25/2025 - Attorney General Tong Sues Over HUD Policy That Would Put More People Into Homelessness
11/09/2025 - Attorney General Tong Seeks Temporary Restraining Order to Block Trump from Demanding State "Undo" SNAP Benefits
11/07/2025 - Attorney General Tong Opposes Latest Trump Attempt to Withhold Full SNAP Benefits
11/06/2025 - Attorney General Tong Asks Court to Compel Trump Administration to Deliver Full SNAP Benefits
11/03/2025 - Attorney General Tong Statement on Trump Choice to Partially Fund SNAP and Weaponize Hunger for Political Gain
10/31/2025 - Attorney General Tong Statement on Order in SNAP Benefits Case
10/28/2025 - Attorney General Tong Sues Trump Administration for Illegally Suspending SNAP Benefits
09/10/2025 - Attorney General Tong Secures Preliminary Injunction Preserving Access to Key Social Services
07/25/2025 - Attorney General Tong Statement on Nationwide Injunction in Birthright Citizenship Case
07/21/2025 - Attorney General Tong Files Lawsuit to Block Federal Restrictions on Public Benefits
07/15/2025 - Attorney General Tong Urges Congress to Curb Unscrupulous ICE Tactics
06/18/2025 - Attorney General Tong Statement on Supreme Court Decision Upholding Ban on Gender-Affirming Care
06/13/2025 - Attorney General Tong Secures Decision Blocking Trump’s Unlawful Elections Order
06/04/2025 - Attorney General Tong Urges Court to Protect Key Provision of Voting Rights Act
04/25/2025 - Attorney General Tong Sues Trump Administration Over Unlawful Conditions on Funding for K-12 Schools
04/15/2025 - Attorney General Tong Statement on Response from Avelo Airlines Regarding Deportation Flights
06/04/2025 - Attorney General Tong Urges Court to Protect Key Provision of Voting Rights Act
05/30/2025 - Statement Regarding Trump Administration List Falsely Labeling Connecticut a Sanctuary Jurisdiction
05/27/2025 - Dangerous Certification Requirements
05/06/2025 - Motion for Preliminary Injunction to Halt Implementation of Unlawful Elections Executive Order
04/14/2025 - Attorney General Tong Supports Challenge to Trump Administration Unconstitutional
04/04/2025 - Lawsuit Over Unlawful Executive Order Seeking to Impose Sweeping Voting Restrictions
03/18/2025 - Attorney General Tong Opposes Changes to New Passport Application Rule Harming Transgender People
02/21/2025 - Attorney General Tong Calls on Court to Protect Gender Affirming Care
02/14/2025 - Attorney General Tong Stands with Transgender Military Members
02/13/2025 - Attorney General Tong Issues Guidance for Businesses
02/13/2025 - Attorney General Tong Statement on Preliminary Injunction Issued in Birthright Citizenship Case
02/05/2025 - Attorney General Tong Statement on Trump Executive Order
01/31/2025 - Joint Statement from Ten State Attorneys General
01/23/2025 - Attorney General Tong Statement on Temporary Restraining Order
01/21/2025 - Attorney General Tong Sues to Block Unconstitutional Attack on Birthright Citizenship
06/20/2024 - Tong Joins Coalition of Attorneys General Defending Diversity Initiatives Against Unfounded Attacks
09/08/2023 - Attorney General Tong Concludes Civil Rights Investigation of Greenwich Public Schools