Outlined below is a brief review of the major pieces of legislation that govern affirmative action and equal opportunity.
- The Equal Pay Act of 1963 was intended to remove pay differentials between males and females performing the same or similar work at the same facility.
- Title VII of the Civil Rights Act was enacted in 1964 and made it unlawful to discriminate in employment based upon race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. This act also established the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to implement and enforce the Act.
- Executive Order 11246 of 1964 as amended by Executive Order 11375 are Presidential Orders directed to government agencies requiring federal contractors to develop affirmative action plans for minorities and women.
- Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 prohibits discrimination in terms and conditions of employment among persons between the ages of 40 and 65.
- Title IX of the 1976 Higher Education Amendments prohibits discrimination of women in program, etc.
- Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973 requires employers to take affirmative action to recruit, hire, and advance in employment qualified handicapped individuals.
- The Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974 requires affirmative action for qualified disabled veterans and veterans from the Vietnam era.
- Amendment of Title 29 of the Civil Rights Act of 1967 was passed in 1976 and raised the protected age from 65 to 70.
- The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 provides disabled people access to employment, public service, transportation and telecommunication.
- In accordance with subsection (a) of section 4-168 of the Connecticut General Statutes, as amended, notice is hereby given that the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities, under the authority of section 46a-54 (5) of the Connecticut General Statutes intends to adopt regulations concerning the implementation of Public Act 92-85, An Act Concerning Sexual Harassment Education and Training in the Workplace.