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

Recent News:

June 4^th, 2025

Attorney General Tong Urges Court to Protect Key Provision of Voting Rights Act

May 30^th, 2025

Statement Regarding Trump Administration List Falsely Labeling Connecticut a Sanctuary Jurisdiction