Bristol, Conn., Code of Ordinances ch. 12, art. XII § 12-185

(a) The commission shall render its decision at the same meeting at which the hearing on the complaint is completed or within thirty (30) days following such date, unless impracticable. In accordance with the state Freedom of Information Act, both the hearing itself and the deliberation by the commission shall be open to observation by the public. Until a decision on the complaint is made by the commission, the tenant's liability shall be for the amount of the last rent prior to the increase complained of or, if there is no such increase, the last agreed-upon rent.
(b) Decisions are effective when issued in writing and sent to the landlord and tenant by first class mail, certified mail, certified mail with return receipt, or electronic mail.
(c) If the commission determines after a hearing that the rental charge or proposed increase in the rental charge for any housing accommodation is so excessive, based on the standards and criteria set forth in section 12-183 , as to be harsh and unconscionable, it may order that the rent be limited to such an amount as it determines to be fair and equitable, effective the month in which the tenant filed the complaint. A commission's orders may include, but are not limited to, a reduction in a rental charge or proposed rent increase; a delay in an increased rental charge until specified conditions, such as compliance with municipal code enforcement orders, have been satisfied; or a phase-in of an increase in a rental charge, not to exceed a fair and equitable rent, in stages over a period of time. Commission orders shall be effective for at least one (1) year from the date of issuance, unless the commission otherwise orders.
(d) If the commission determines after a hearing that a housing accommodation fails to comply with any municipal ordinance or state statute or regulation relating to health and safety, the commission may order the suspension or reduction of further payment of rent by the tenant until such time as the landlord makes the necessary changes, repairs or installations to bring the housing accommodation into compliance with such laws, statutes, or regulations. If the commission's order constitutes a complete suspension of all rent, the rent during such period shall be paid to the commission to be held in escrow subject to such ordinances or provisions as may be adopted by the City of Bristol. Upon the landlord's full compliance with such ordinance, statute or regulation for which payments were made into such escrow, the commission shall determine after hearing such distribution of the escrowed funds as it deems appropriate.
(e) During the pendency of a complaint, the commission may have a tenant pay all or part of any proposed increase in rent charge to the commission to be placed in an escrow. The amounts collected will be refunded to the tenant if the tenant prevails on the complaint or will be forwarded to the landlord if the complaint is dismissed.