Connecticut § 4-8 - Qualifications, powers and duties of department heads.

§ 4-8. Qualifications, powers and duties of department heads.

Sec. 4-8. Qualifications, powers and duties of department heads. (a) Each department head shall:

(1) Be qualified by training and experience for the duties of the department head's office;

(2) Act as the executive officer of the Governor for accomplishing the purposes of the department head's department;

(3) Conduct comprehensive planning with respect to the functions of such department and coordinate the activities and programs of the state agencies therein;

(4) Cause the administrative organization of such department to be examined with a view to promoting economy and efficiency; and

(5) Organize such department and any agency therein into such divisions, bureaus or other units as the department head deems necessary for the efficient conduct of the business of the department.

(b) Each department head may abolish, transfer or consolidate within the department or any agency therein any division, bureau or other unit as may be necessary for the efficient conduct of the business of the department, provided such organization shall include any division, bureau or other unit which is specifically required by the general statutes.

(c) Each department head may appoint such deputies as may be necessary for the efficient conduct of the business of the department. Each department head shall designate one deputy who shall in the absence or disqualification of the department head or upon the department head's death, exercise the powers and duties of the department head until the department head resumes his or her duties or the vacancy is filled, as applicable. Such deputies shall serve at the pleasure of the department head. Subject to the provisions of chapter 67, each department head shall appoint such other employees as may be necessary for the discharge of the department head's duties.

(d) Each department head may:

(1) Adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, for the conduct of the department head's department;

(2) Enter into such contractual agreements, in accordance with established procedures, as may be necessary for the discharge of the department head's duties;

(3) Subject to the provisions of section 4-32, and unless otherwise provided by law, receive any money, revenue or services from the federal government, corporations, associations or individuals, including payments from the sale of printed matter or any other material or services; and

(4) Create such advisory boards as the department head deems necessary.

(March, 1950, S. 30d; February, 1965, P.A. 434; 1969, P.A. 481, S. 3; P.A. 76-239, S. 1, 2; P.A. 77-614, S. 6, 610; P.A. 24-81, S. 79.)

History: 1965 act specified deputy to act in case of death of department head and that his duties are to terminate when department head resumes his duties or vacancy is filled; 1969 act made deputy department heads subject to provision limiting terms of service to four years at governor's pleasure; P.A. 76-239 gave department and agency heads power to enter into contracts; P.A. 77-614 rewrote provisions regarding deputy, personal secretary and departmental organization, deleted references to agencies and empowered department heads to create advisory boards; P.A. 24-81 designated existing provisions as Subsecs. (a) to (d) and amended same to make technical changes, amended Subsec. (a) to add Subdiv. designators (1) to (5), Subsec. (d) to add Subdiv. designators (1) to (4), and Subsec. (b) to delete provision re appointees to devote full time to their duties and prohibiting other employment, effective July 1, 2024.

Cited. 151 C. 680; 177 C. 344; 184 C. 1.

Cited. 36 CS 586.