Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies
(a) In any hearing conducted pursuant to Section 31-273-2 or Section 31-273-5, each party shall be afforded, subject to the Administrator's control:
(1) The right to be represented by any person, including an attorney;
(2) The right to inspect or copy any documents in the administrator's file which are material to the subject matter of the hearing and not exempt from disclosure by law;
(3) The right to present evidence, documents and witnesses; and
(4) The right to cross-examine witnesses and parties, so long as the administrator deems such cross-examination to be material and relevant.
(b) The Administrator shall conduct and control any hearing held pursuant to Section 31-273-2 or Section 31-273-5 informally and shall not be bound by the ordinary common law or statutory rules of evidence or procedure. The Administrator shall make inquiry in such manner through oral testimony and written and printed records and take any action consistent with the impartial discharge of his 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 determination. The Administrator may at any time examine or cross-examine any party or witness, and require such evidence as he determines to be necessary for a proper and complete determination. The Administrator shall determine the order for presentation of evidence and he may exclude testimony and evidence which he determines to be incompetent, irrelevant, unduly repetitious, or otherwise improper. The Administrator shall, as he deems necessary in the interests of justice, advise any party as to his rights, aid him in examining and cross-examining witnesses, help him in presenting evidence and otherwise render such assistance as is compatible with the impartial discharge of the Administrator's duties.
(c) In any case involving an individual claiming benefits on an interstate basis, the Administrator shall attempt to conduct any hearing pursuant to Section 31-273-2 or Section 31-273-5 by telephone. To the extent practicable, such hearing shall be conducted in accordance with the procedures set forth in subsections (a), (b), and (c) of this section. Where a hearing by telephone is not feasible, the Administrator shall make written inquiry, elicit written testimony and printed evidence and take any action consistent with the impartial discharge of his duties, as is best calculated to ascertain the relevant facts and substantive rights of the parties, furnish a fair and expeditious examination of the relevant issues, and render a proper and complete decision.
(Effective March 29, 1988; Amended July 1, 1996)