AN ACT CONCERNING WORKERS' COMPENSATION DISCLOSURES ON CONSTRUCTION SITES.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:

Section 1. Section 31-286b of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2008):

(a) Prior to issuing a building permit pursuant to section 29-263 of the 2008 supplement to the general statutes to any person other than a sole proprietor or property owner unless such sole proprietor or property owner is acting as a general contractor or principal employer, a local building official shall require proof of workers' compensation coverage from the general contractor, principal employer and any subcontractors for all employees, as defined in section 31-275, [who are employed by an employer, as defined in said section,] who are engaged to perform services on the site of the construction project for which the permit was issued.

(b) As used in subsection (a) of this section, "proof of workers' compensation coverage" means (1) a written certificate of insurance provided by the general contractor, [or] principal employer or subcontractor that includes (A) the name of the general contractor, principal employer or subcontractor; (B) the name of the insurer providing the workers' compensation insurance; (C) the workers' compensation insurance policy number; (D) the dollar limits of coverages listed for the workers' compensation and the general contractor's, principal employer's or subcontractor's liability insurance; (E) the signature of an authorized representative under the certificate of liability insurance; (F) the issue date of the certificate of liability insurance that precedes the date any work began on the project; and (G) the date and timeframe under which the work is being performed that falls within the policy effective and policy expiration dates listed on the certificate of liability insurance, or (2) a certificate from the Workers' Compensation Commissioner indicating that the general contractor, [or] principal employer or subcontractor has properly chosen not to obtain workers' compensation coverage pursuant to section 31-275. [, or (3) if]

(c) If a property owner or sole proprietor intends to act as a general contractor or principal employer, [a written certificate of insurance or a sworn notarized affidavit, which he shall provide, stating that he will require proof of workers' compensation insurance for all those employed on the job site in accordance with the provisions of this chapter] such property owner or sole proprietor shall provide proof of workers' compensation coverage pursuant to subdivision (1) of subsection (b) of this section.

(d) A local building official shall require proof of workers' compensation coverage [only] at the time of the general contractor's, [or] principal employer's or subcontractor's initial application and all later applications.

(e) Failure by a contractor, principal employer or subcontractor to comply with the provisions of this section, or provide false or misleading information, shall result in an administrative penalty not exceeding one thousand dollars per week that the general contractor, principal employer or subcontractor failed to comply with the provisions of this section.

Statement of Purpose:

To require general contractors, principal employers and subcontractors to provide proof of workers' compensation insurance prior to receiving any building permits.

[Proposed deletions are enclosed in brackets. Proposed additions are indicated by underline, except that when the entire text of a bill or resolution or a section of a bill or resolution is new, it is not underlined.]