OLR BILL ANALYSIS

sHB 5236

AN ACT CONCERNING VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENTS AND AMBULANCE COMPANIES AND THE DEFINITION OF EMPLOYER UNDER THE STATE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ACT.

SUMMARY:

This bill requires volunteer fire departments and volunteer ambulance companies to comply with the state's Occupational Safety and Health Act (Conn-OSHA). By law, the state and political subdivisions must comply with Conn-OSHA. (Under current law, volunteer fire departments are not considered political subdivisions. )

EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 2012

BACKGROUND

Related Case

The federal Occupational Safety and Health Act governs workplace safety in the private sector, but states may enact their own laws governing public-sector employers and employees. In Mayfied v. Goshen Volunteer Fire Company (301 Conn. 739 (2011)), the state Supreme Court ruled that a volunteer fire company did not have to comply with a Conn-OSHA warrant to inspect the company's premises because it was not a political subdivision of the state.

COMMITTEE ACTION

Labor and Public Employees Committee

Joint Favorable