Chapter 556 - Labor Department

Sec. 31-2. Powers and duties of commissioner. (a) The Labor Commissioner shall collect information upon the subject of labor, its relation to capital, the hours of labor, the earnings of laboring men and women and the means of promoting their material, social, intellectual and moral prosperity, and may summon and examine under oath such witnesses, and may direct the production of, and examine or cause to be produced and examined, such books, records, vouchers, memoranda, documents, letters, contracts or other papers in relation thereto as he deems necessary, and shall have the same powers in relation thereto as are vested in magistrates in taking depositions, but for this purpose persons shall not be required to leave the vicinity of their residences or places of business.

(b) The commissioner may adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, for all programs within the jurisdiction of the Labor Department, including, but not limited to, employment and training programs in the state.

(c) The commissioner may request the Attorney General to bring an action in Superior Court for injunctive relief requiring compliance with any statute, regulation, order or permit administered, adopted or issued by the commissioner.

(d) The commissioner shall assist state agencies, boards and commissions that issue occupational certificates or licenses in (1) determining when to recognize and accept military training and experience in lieu of all or part of the training and experience required for a specific professional or occupational license, and (2) reviewing and revising policies and procedures to ensure that relevant military education, skills and training are given appropriate recognition in the certification and licensing process.

(1949 Rev., S. 3776; September, 1957, P.A. 11, S. 13; P.A. 73-164, S. 1, 5; P.A. 76-209, S. 1; P.A. 77-614, S. 479, 610; P.A. 78-303, S. 122, 136; P.A. 89-292, S. 3, 6; P.A. 92-210, S. 1; P.A. 14-131, S. 12; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 21-2, S. 212; P.A. 22-67, S. 1.)

History: P.A. 73-164 deleted provisions concerning bureau of labor statistics, substituted reference to “the general powers conferred upon the office of the labor commissioner under the general statutes or in accordance with federal law” for detailed listing of specific powers and made other language changes; P.A. 76-209 restored provisions re bureau of labor statistics and re specific powers of commissioner, specified that persons need not leave “the vicinity of their residences or places of business” to give depositions and made minor language changes; P.A. 77-614 deleted provisions re bureau of labor statistics and re appointment of deputy commissioner, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 78-303 required commission to collect and collate population and employment data, to make projections re employment and to analyze data concerning present job requirements and potential needs of new industry; P.A. 89-292 added Subsecs. (b) and (c) concerning the commissioner's responsibilities for employment and training programs; P.A. 92-210 added Subsec. (d) authorizing the commissioner to request the attorney general to bring an action in superior court; P.A. 14-131 added Subsec. (e) re duty of commissioner to assist state agencies, boards and commissions in recognizing military training and experience for professional or occupational licensure, effective July 1, 2014; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 21-2 amended Subsec. (a) by adding Subdiv. designators (1) and (2), deleting provision re analysis of data and inclusion of statistical details in commissioner's annual report and making a technical change, amended Subsec. (b) by replacing provisions re administration of coordination of employment and training programs, implementation of Connecticut Employment and Training Commission plan and development and maintenance of comprehensive inventory of programs with provision allowing adoption of regulations for all programs within jurisdiction of Labor Department, deleted former Subsec. (c) re provision of staff and other resources to commission, and redesignated existing Subsecs. (d) and (e) as Subsecs. (c) and (d), effective July 1, 2021; P.A. 22-67 amended Subsec. (b) to remove the requirements that Labor Commissioner collect and collate population and employment data and data concerning present job requirements and potential needs of new industry, effective May 23, 2022.

See Secs. 22-13 to 22-17, inclusive, re duties relative to the employment of minors in agriculture.

Secs. 31-2a and 31-2b. Statistical services. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Sections 31-2a and 31-2b are repealed.

(P.A. 73-164, S. 2–5; P.A. 76-209, S. 2.)

Sec. 31-2c. Employer reporting of new employees. Transfer of information between Department of Social Services and Labor Department. Notification of employer. Reimbursement to Labor Department. Section 31-2c is repealed, effective October 1, 1998.

(May Sp. Sess. P.A. 94-5, S. 28, 30; P.A. 95-310, S. 5, 9; P.A. 96-268, S. 8, 34; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-4, S. 10, 11; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-11, S. 63, 65.)

Sec. 31-2d. Office of Workforce Competitiveness. Orders. Regulations. Section 31-2d is repealed, effective July 1, 2021.

(P.A. 11-48, S. 77; P.A. 13-299, S. 22; P.A. 14-42, S. 3; P.A. 18-126, S. 12; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 21-2, S. 494.)

Sec. 31-2e. Establishment of Office of the Unemployed Workers' Advocate. Powers. Designation of Unemployed Workers' Advocate. (a) The Labor Commissioner shall, within available appropriations, establish the Office of the Unemployed Workers' Advocate within the Labor Department to provide assistance to individuals who are unemployed.

(b) The Office of the Unemployed Workers' Advocate may:

(1) Assist unemployed individuals seeking benefits administered by the Labor Department under chapter 567;

(2) Assist unemployed individuals to understand their rights and responsibilities with respect to benefits administered by the department under chapter 567;

(3) Provide information to the public, state agencies, legislators and others regarding the problems and concerns of unemployed individuals and make recommendations for resolving such problems and concerns;

(4) Assist unemployed individuals with the filing of appeals in connection with the benefits administered by the department under chapter 567;

(5) Analyze and monitor the development and implementation of federal, state and local laws, regulations and policies relating to unemployed individuals and recommend changes the office deems necessary to the appropriate federal, state or local governmental entity;

(6) Receive and review complaints of unemployed individuals and make recommendations to the commissioner for resolving such complaints;

(7) Access prior employment records of an unemployed individual to the extent permitted under state and federal law;

(8) Establish and maintain an Internet web site and a toll-free number, or any other free calling option, to allow unemployed individuals access to the services and information provided by the Office of the Unemployed Workers' Advocate; and

(9) Take any other actions necessary to fulfill the purposes of this section.

(c) Not later than October 1, 2021, the Labor Commissioner shall designate an Unemployed Workers' Advocate, who shall serve at the pleasure of the commissioner, to manage the daily activities and duties of the Office of the Unemployed Workers' Advocate. The Unemployed Workers' Advocate shall have the necessary qualifications to perform the duties of said office, including, but not limited to, having expertise and experience in the fields of unemployment compensation benefits and advocacy for the rights of unemployed individuals. Within available appropriations, the Unemployed Workers' Advocate shall appoint and employ such assistants, employees and personnel as deemed necessary for the efficient and effective administration of the activities of the office.

(June Sp. Sess. P.A. 21-2, S. 32.)

History: June Sp. Sess. P.A. 21-2 effective June 23, 2021.

Sec. 31-3. Investigation of employment. Special agents authorized. The Labor Commissioner is authorized to investigate the wages, hours of employment, necessary expense of living and health, so far as affected by their employment, of wage-earning persons in stores, wholesale and retail, public utilities, photographic, undertaking, millinery and dressmakers' establishments, hotels, restaurants, laundries, hairdressing and barber shops, domestic service, manufacturing establishments and tenement house work. Such investigation shall be conducted under the supervision of said commissioner by a person specially trained for this work and selected by him. Other employees of said bureau may be detailed to assist in the prosecution of such investigation. Said commissioner shall have power to demand from those possessed of it such information as is pertinent to the investigation herein authorized, and any person who refuses to furnish the information so demanded, within a reasonable time, shall be fined not more than one hundred dollars. The commissioner may employ special agents to assist him in his investigations. Such agents shall receive compensation for the time actually employed in such service.

(1949 Rev., S. 3777; P.A. 74-185, S. 1.)

History: P.A. 74-185 substituted “wage-earning persons” for “wage-earning women and girls” and referred to supervision of investigation by a “person” selected by commissioner rather than by a “woman”.

Sec. 31-3a. Manpower development and planning studies and programs. Section 31-3a is repealed, effective July 1, 2021.

(February, 1965, P.A. 248, S. 1, 2; P.A. 77-614, S. 302, 610; P.A. 13-140, S. 20; P.A. 21-141, S. 12; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 21-2, S. 494.)

Sec. 31-3b. Contracts with or funds from public or private agency or source. (a) The Labor Commissioner may contract with any public or private agency for educational and job training services.

(b) The Labor Commissioner may accept and receive funds from any public or private source which become available for the purposes of this section and section 31-3d.

(P.A. 77-523, S. 1–4; 77-614, S. 284, 587, 610; P.A. 78-303, S. 85, 136; P.A. 79-337, S. 3; P.A. 95-250, S. 1; P.A. 96-211, S. 1, 5, 6; P.A. 21-141, S. 3; June Sp. Sess. 21-2, S. 213.)

History: P.A. 77-614 and P.A. 78-303 replaced department of commerce with department of economic development, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 79-337 added Subsec. (a)(3) to require that programs provide work training opportunities and placement of the chronically unemployed; P.A. 95-250 and P.A. 96-211 replaced Commissioner and Department of Economic Development with Commissioner and Department of Economic and Community Development; P.A. 21-141 deleted former Subsecs. (a) and (b) re appointment and duties of job training coordinator and establishment of interagency program coordinating committee, respectively, and redesignated existing Subsecs. (c) and (d) as Subsecs. (a) and (b), effective July 7, 2021; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 21-2 made identical changes as P.A. 21-141, effective June 23, 2021.

Sec. 31-3c. Job training program for specific employers. Section 31-3c is repealed, effective July 1, 2021.

(P.A. 77-370, S. 2, 13; 77-614, S. 284, 587, 610; P.A. 78-303, S. 85, 136; P.A. 82-218, S. 39, 46; P.A. 89-260, S. 39, 41; P.A. 91-256, S. 66, 69; P.A. 92-126, S. 31, 48; P.A. 95-250, S. 1; P.A. 96-190, S. 1, 8; 96-211, S. 1, 5, 6; P.A. 99-236, S. 1; P.A. 11-48, S. 283; P.A. 12-116, S. 87; P.A. 16-15, S. 37; P.A. 17-237, S. 101; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 21-2, S. 494.)

Sec. 31-3d. Work training opportunities programs. (a) The Labor Commissioner shall develop and implement work training opportunities programs in cooperation with municipalities, public and private agencies and business and industry in order to expand education, training, supportive services and job development for the placement of the chronically unemployed with specific emphasis on the needs of persons receiving or eligible to receive state-administered general assistance program benefits. For the purposes of funding such programs, the commissioner may, in addition to expending available appropriations, apply for, receive and expend funds from federal governmental and private sources.

(b) Participants in such programs shall receive compensation for time spent in training at rates established or approved by the Labor Commissioner. Participants who are state-administered general assistance recipients may earn a net amount up to thirty dollars per week in education and training programs established under this section, section 31-3b or subsection (a) of section 17b-194 without affecting the amount of their grants. Amounts in excess of thirty dollars earned by state-administered general assistance recipients for each week of such education or training shall be deducted from such recipients' grants. Medical benefits of such recipients shall not be affected by participation in such education or training. Job placement of participants who have completed training shall be limited to positions for which compensation is payable at rates consistent with industry practice or in conformity with collective bargaining agreements.

(c) Upon acceptance of a program proposal, the Labor Department may provide financial assistance to such program depending on efforts made to utilize existing employment and training programs and funding sources. Said department shall monitor all programs developed under this section and shall report to the General Assembly concerning the implementation and progress of the program within one year after the first program proposal is accepted.

(P.A. 79-337, S. 1; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-3, S. 97; P.A. 04-76, S. 32.)

History: (Revisor's note: The references to “17b-115 to 17b-138” and “17b-689 to 17b-693, inclusive,” were changed editorially by the Revisors to “17b-116 to 17b-138” and “17b-689, 17b-689b”, respectively, to reflect the repeal of certain sections by section 164 of June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2); June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-3, in repealing Secs. 17b-19, 17b-62 to 17b-65, inclusive, 17b-116, 17b-116a, 17b-116b, 17b-117, 17b-120, 17b-121, 17b-123, 17b-134, 17b-135, 17b-220, 17b-259 and 17b-287, authorized deletion of internal references to said sections in this section, effective March 1, 2004; P.A. 04-76 amended Subsec. (a) by replacing reference to “general assistance” and the internal references to sections re general assistance with reference to “state-administered general assistance program benefits” and amended Subsec. (b) by replacing references to “general assistance” with references to “state-administered general assistance”.

Sec. 31-3e. Basic education programs for Work Incentive Program registrants. Requirements. Report. Section 31-3e is repealed.

(P.A. 81-414, S. 1, 2, 5; P.A. 86-291, S. 7.)

Sec. 31-3f. Employment training benefits voucher. The Labor Commissioner shall create an employment training benefits voucher. Such voucher shall state that the holder of the voucher is eligible for those training and benefit programs administered by the commissioner which are noted on the voucher and that any employer may take advantage of any such program if he employs the holder of the voucher.

(P.A. 81-445, S. 2, 11.)

Sec. 31-3g. Assistance to displaced homemakers. Regulations. Section 31-3g is repealed, effective July 1, 2021.

(P.A. 83-371, S. 1, 2; P.A. 85-416, S. 1, 2, 4; P.A. 93-262, S. 60, 87; P.A. 13-140, S. 3; P.A. 21-141, S. 12; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 21-2, S. 494.)

Sec. 31-3h. Governor's Workforce Council; duties. (a) There is created, within the Office of Workforce Strategy, the Governor's Workforce Council. The Governor's Workforce Council shall constitute a successor council to the Connecticut Employment and Training Commission in accordance with the provisions of sections 4-38d and 4-39.

(b) The duties and responsibilities of the council shall include:

(1) Carrying out the duties and responsibilities of a state workforce board pursuant to the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014, P.L. 113-128, as amended from time to time, and such other related responsibilities as the Governor may direct;

(2) Supporting the implementation of the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014, P.L. 113-128, as amended from time to time;

(3) Making recommendations to the General Assembly concerning the formula for allocation of funds received by the state under the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014, P.L. 113-128, as amended from time to time, pursuant to the provisions of sections 31-11m and 31-11s; and

(4) Convening state agencies, educational institutions, business leaders and others to (A) inform state policy regarding workforce development, (B) help state agencies and educational institutions align with the needs of employers, and (C) help businesses understand how to contribute to the state's workforce efforts.

(P.A. 89-292, S. 1, 6; P.A. 94-116, S. 20, 28; P.A. 97-263, S. 1; P.A. 99-195, S. 2, 15; P.A. 00-192, S. 21, 102; P.A. 01-42, S. 1, 3; P.A. 03-19, S. 72; P.A. 06-196, S. 159; P.A. 11-48, S. 92; P.A. 12-116, S. 87; P.A. 14-42, S. 4; 14-225, S. 1; P.A. 16-169, S. 24; 16-170, S. 1; P.A. 17-237, S. 102; P.A. 18-126, S. 6; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 21-2, S. 214.)

History: P.A. 94-116 added a reference to state human resource investment council, effective July 1, 1994; (Revisor's note: In 1997 a reference in Subsec. (a) to “Department of Labor” was changed editorially by the Revisors to “Labor Department” for consistency with customary statutory usage); P.A. 97-263 added Subsec. (b)(4) expanding duties to include reviewing and commenting on employment and training programs enacted by the General Assembly; P.A. 99-195 made technical changes, amended Subsec. (b) to expand commission's duties to include implementation of federal Workforce Investment Act of 1998 in new Subdiv. (5), development and overseeing of plan for improving regional workforce development boards in new Subdiv. (6), development of incumbent worker, and vocational and manpower training programs in new Subdiv. (7) and development of strategy for providing comprehensive youth services in new Subdiv. (8) and amended Subsec. (c) to extend the commission's deadline for submitting its annual progress report and require submission of such report to committees with cognizance of matters relating to appropriations, education, labor and social services, effective June 23, 1999; P.A. 00-192 amended Subsec. (a) by transferring commission from Labor Department to Office of Workforce Competitiveness, effective July 1, 2000 (Revisor's note: In Subsec. (a), a reference to “section 7 of this act” was deemed by the Revisors to be a reference to section 19 which established the Office of Workforce Competitiveness, and codified accordingly as section “4-124w”, for accuracy); P.A. 01-42 amended Subsec. (b)(5)(B) by changing reference to “on or before said date and annually thereafter” to “annually on January thirty-first”, effective May 31, 2001; P.A. 03-19 made technical changes in Subsec. (b)(5)(A)(ii), effective May 12, 2003; P.A. 06-196 made a technical change in Subsec. (b)(8), effective June 7, 2006; P.A. 11-48 amended Subsec. (a) by replacing “Office of Workforce Competitiveness” with “Labor Department”, effective July 1, 2011; pursuant to P.A. 12-116, “regional vocational-technical schools” was changed editorially by the Revisors to “technical high schools” in Subsec. (b)(8), effective July 1, 2012; P.A. 14-42 amended Subsec. (b)(3) by changing plan submittal date from June 1, 2000, to January 31, 2015, effective May 28, 2014; P.A. 14-225 amended Subsec. (b) by adding provision re reemployment of workers 50 years of age or older in Subdiv. (3), by adding Subdiv. (9) re coordinating an electronic state hiring campaign to encourage reemployment of workers 50 years of age or older, and making technical changes; pursuant to P.A. 16-169, “Workforce Investment Act of 1998, P.L. 105-220” was changed editorially by the Revisors to “Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014, P.L. 113-128” in Subsec. (b)(5); P.A. 16-170 amended Subsec. (b) by deleting provision re plan to be submitted annually to the Governor in Subdiv. (3) and by deleting former Subpara. (B) re report and redesignating existing Subparas. (C) to (G) as Subparas. (B) to (F) in Subdiv. (5), and deleted former Subsec. (c) re report by Connecticut Employment and Training Commission; P.A. 17-237 amended Subsec. (b)(8) by replacing “technical high schools” with “technical education and career schools”, effective July 1, 2017; P.A. 18-126 deleted former Subdiv. (3) re developing plan to coordinate all employment and training programs in the state and redesignated existing Subdivs. (4) to (9) as Subdivs. (3) to (8); June Sp. Sess. P.A. 21-2 amended Subsec. (a) by replacing Connecticut Employment and Training Commission within Labor Department with Governor's Workforce Council within Office of Workforce Strategy as successor council to said commission, and substantially revised Subsec. (b) re duties and responsibilities of council and made conforming changes, effective July 1, 2021.

Sec. 31-3i. Governor's Workforce Council: Members. (a) Pursuant to Section 101 of the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014, P.L. 113-128, the members of the Governor's Workforce Council shall be:

(1) The Governor;

(2) A member of the House of Representatives, appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives, and a member of the Senate, appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate;

(3) Twenty-four members, appointed by the Governor, who (A) are owners of a business, chief executives or operating officers of a business, or other business executives or employers with optimum policy-making or hiring authority; (B) represent businesses or organizations representing businesses that provide employment opportunities that, at a minimum, include high-quality, work-relevant training and development in in-demand industry sectors or occupation in the state; or (C) have been nominated by state business organizations or business trade associations. At a minimum, at least one such member shall represent small businesses, as defined by the United States Small Business Administration.

(4) The Labor Commissioner, Commissioner of Aging and Disability Services, Commissioner of Education, Commissioner of Economic and Community Development and the Chief Workforce Officer, or their respective designees;

(5) Four representatives of labor organizations, who have been nominated by state labor federations and appointed by the Governor;

(6) An individual, appointed by the Governor, who is a member of a labor organization or a training director from a joint labor-management apprenticeship program, or, if no such joint program exists in the state, such a representative of an apprenticeship program in the state;

(7) Five members, appointed by the Governor, who represent community-based organizations that have demonstrated experience and expertise in addressing employment, training, or education, including one representative of a community action agency, as defined in section 17b-885, and one representative of a philanthropic organization;

(8) A representative from the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities, a representative from The University of Connecticut and a representative from a nonprofit institution of higher education in the state, each appointed by the Governor;

(9) Two superintendents of a local or regional board of education, appointed by the Governor;

(10) Two chief elected officials of municipalities, appointed by the Governor; and

(11) Two members of the public, who are enrolled in or who have recently completed a nondegree workforce training program, appointed by the Governor.

(b) All appointments shall be made in a manner that reflects the diversity of the state, including, but not limited to, geographic, gender identity, racial and ethnic diversity.

(c) The Governor shall appoint the chairperson of the Governor's Workforce Council from among the members appointed pursuant to subdivision (3) of subsection (a) of this section. The Chief Workforce Officer shall serve as the vice-chairperson of the council.

(d) The Governor's Workforce Council may establish an executive committee composed of members appointed by the chairperson. The vice-chairperson of the council shall be a member of any such executive committee. The council may delegate to the executive committee any powers of the council except those powers that are required by law to be exercised by the council. The chairperson may also appoint ad hoc committees, workgroups or task forces to assist the council as appropriate, and shall consult with the vice-chairperson and the legislative members of the council in making appointments to such ad hoc committees, workgroups or task forces.

(e) Any appointments made to the council prior to October 1, 2021, shall expire on that date.

(f) The council shall meet not less than once every calendar quarter.

(g) The Governor shall establish bylaws for the council pursuant to 20 CFR 679.110(d), which shall include, but need not be limited to, term limitations for members and how appointments will be made.

(P.A. 89-292, S. 2, 6; P.A. 97-263, S. 2; P.A. 99-195, S. 3, 15; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 21-2, S. 215.)

History: P.A. 97-263 amended Subsec. (a) by deleting provision re service of members at the pleasure of the Governor, and amended Subsec. (b) by changing the membership of the commission to 24 members, by requiring that a majority of members represent business and industry, by requiring that remaining members include representatives of education organizations and community action agency and by requiring the board to meet at least once every calendar quarter; P.A. 99-195 made technical changes, amended Subsec. (a) to require that new appointments to commission be consistent with the provisions of Subsec. (b), amended Subsec. (b) to add Subdiv. indicators and a provision in new Subdiv. (2) specifying how vacancies are to be filled six months after submission of the Connecticut workforce development plan to the U.S. Secretary of Labor and added a new Subsec. (c) to preserve the membership of persons appointed to the commission prior to June 23, 1999, effective June 23, 1999; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 21-2 amended Subsec. (a) by replacing Connecticut Employment and Training Commission with Governor's Workforce Council, adding reference to Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and adding Subdivs. (1) to (11) re members of and appointments to council, replaced former Subsecs. (b) and (c) re commission members and frequency of meetings with new Subsecs. (b) and (c) re diversity requirement, appointment of chairperson, and Chief Workforce Officer to serve as vice-chairperson, and added Subsecs. (d) to (g) re establishment of executive committee, appointments made prior to October 1, 2021, frequency of meeting, and establishment of bylaws, respectively.

Sec. 31-3j. Regional workforce development boards: Definitions. As used in this section and sections 31-3k to 31-3o, inclusive, and 31-3r:

(1) “Board” means a regional workforce development board established under section 31-3k;

(2) “Commissioner” means the Labor Commissioner;

(3) “Municipality” means a town, city, borough, consolidated town and city or consolidated town and borough;

(4) “Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act” means the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014, P.L. 113-128, as amended from time to time; and

(5) “Workforce development region” or “region” means an area designated as a service delivery area in accordance with the provisions of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.

(P.A. 92-145, S. 1, 10; P.A. 21-40, S. 27, 28; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 21-2, S. 216; P.A. 22-126, S. 6.)

History: P.A. 21-40 made technical changes; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 21-2 deleted definitions of “Commission” and “Job Training Partnership Act”, added definition of “Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act” and redefined “Workforce development region”, effective July 1, 2021; P.A. 22-126 removed reference to Secs. 31-3p and 31-3q in the introductory language, effective May 27, 2022.

Sec. 31-3k. Regional workforce development boards: Duties and responsibilities. (a) There is established within the Labor Department a regional workforce development board for each workforce development region in the state.

(b) Each board, within its region, in accordance with the Connecticut workforce development plan approved by the Governor and developed by the Governor's Workforce Council pursuant section 31-11p, the state workforce strategy approved by the Governor and developed by the Chief Workforce Officer pursuant to section 4-124w, any guidance issued by the Chief Workforce Officer pursuant to section 4-124w and any guidance issued by the Labor Commissioner, shall:

(1) (A) Assess the needs and priorities for investing in the development of human resources within the region and shall coordinate a broad range of employment, education, training and related services that shall be focused on client-centered, lifelong learning, (B) be responsive to the needs of local business, industry, the region, its municipalities and its residents, and (C) be the lead agency for any local workforce development initiative.

(2) Within existing resources and consistent with the state employment and training information system (A) assess regional needs and identify regional priorities for employment and training programs, including, but not limited to, an assessment of the special employment needs of unskilled and low-skilled unemployed persons, including persons receiving state-administered general assistance or short-term unemployment assistance, (B) conduct planning for regional employment and training programs, (C) coordinate such programs to ensure that the programs respond to the needs of labor, business and industry, municipalities within the region, the region as a whole, and all of its citizens, (D) serve as a clearinghouse for information on all employment and training programs in the region, (E) review grant proposals and plans submitted to state agencies for employment and training programs that directly affect the region and inform the Governor's Workforce Council and each state agency concerned of the results of the review, (F) ensure the effective use of available employment and training resources in the region, and (G) allocate funds where applicable for program operations in the region.

(3) Provide information to the commissioner, Chief Workforce Officer or Governor's Workforce Council that the commissioner, Chief Workforce Officer or Governor's Workforce Council deems essential for effective state planning.

(4) Carry out the duties and responsibilities of the local workforce development board for purposes of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.

(c) Each board shall make use of grants or contracts with appropriate service providers to furnish all program services under sections 31-3j to 31-3o, inclusive, and 31-3r, unless the Governor's Workforce Council concurs with the board that direct provision of a service by the board is necessary to assure adequate availability of the service or that a service of comparable quality can be provided more economically by the board. Any board seeking to provide services directly shall submit to the commissioner, the Chief Workforce Officer and the Governor's Workforce Council a plan of service and appropriate justification for the need to provide services directly. Such plan of service shall be subject to review and approval by the Governor's Workforce Council.

(d) On October 1, 2021, and annually thereafter, each board shall submit in accordance with the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, data and comprehensive performance measures detailing the results of any education, employment or job training program or activity funded by moneys allocated to the board, including, but not limited to, programs and activities specified in said act. The Labor Commissioner and the Chief Workforce Officer may require the submission of additional data and performance measures through guidance jointly by said commissioner and officer.

(P.A. 92-145, S. 2, 10; P.A. 93-134, S. 1; P.A. 99-195, S. 4, 15; P.A. 01-97; P.A. 04-76, S. 33; P.A. 11-48, S. 93; P.A. 12-116, S. 87; P.A. 16-169, S. 24; 16-170, S. 2; P.A. 17-237, S. 103; P.A. 21-40, S. 29; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 21-2, S. 217; P.A. 22-126, S. 7.)

History: P.A. 93-134 amended Subsec. (b)(1) to provide that a regional work force development board shall not automatically replace a private industry council, rather the members of the private industry council shall vote on, and the labor commissioner shall approve of, such replacement; P.A. 99-195 made technical changes in Subsec. (b), adding Subdivs. (4) and (5) requiring boards to carry out duties and responsibilities of local boards for purposes of the federal Workforce Investment Act of 1998 and to establish worker training education committees, effective June 23, 1999; P.A. 01-97 added Subsec. (d) re reporting of comprehensive performance measures to the Office of Workforce Competitiveness; P.A. 04-76 amended Subsec. (b)(2)(A) by replacing reference to “general assistance” with reference to “state-administered general assistance”; P.A. 11-48 amended Subsec. (d) by replacing “Office of Workforce Competitiveness” with “Labor Department”, effective July 1, 2011; pursuant to P.A. 12-116, “regional vocational-technical schools” was changed editorially by the Revisors to “technical high schools” in Subsec. (b)(5), effective July 1, 2012; pursuant to P.A. 16-169, “Workforce Investment Act of 1998, P.L. 105-220” was changed editorially by the Revisors to “Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014, P.L. 113-128” in Subsecs. (b)(4) and (d); P.A. 16-170 amended Subsec. (b)(2) by deleting reference to annual plan; P.A. 17-237 amended Subsec. (b)(5) by replacing “technical high schools” with “technical education and career schools”, effective July 1, 2017; P.A. 21-40 made technical changes in Subsecs. (a) and (b); June Sp. Sess. P.A. 21-2 amended Subsec. (a) by moving provisions re assessment of human resources development needs in region from Subsec. (a) to Subsec. (b)(1) and adding provision therein re lead agency, substantially revised Subsec. (b) re duties and responsibilities of regional workforce development boards and deleting Subdiv. (5) re worker training education committee, substantially revised Subsec. (c) re boards making use of grants or contracts, and amended Subsec. (d) by replacing “October 1, 2002” with “October 1, 2021”, reference to Labor Department with reference to Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, and provision re performance measures to be included in annual report with provision re authority of Labor Commissioner and Chief Workforce Officer to require submission of additional data and performance measures, effective July 1, 2021; P.A. 22-126 amended Subsec. (c) by removing reference to Secs. 31-3p and 31-3q, effective May 27, 2022.

Sec. 31-3l. Regional workforce development boards: Members. The members of a board shall be appointed by the chief elected officials of the municipalities in the region in accordance with the provisions of an agreement entered into by such municipalities. In the absence of an agreement the appointments shall be made by the Governor. The membership of each board shall satisfy the requirements for a local board as provided under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.

(P.A. 92-145, S. 3, 10; P.A. 93-134, S. 2; P.A. 96-190, S. 2, 8; P.A. 99-195, S. 5, 15; P.A. 16-169, S. 24; P.A. 21-40, S. 30; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 21-2, S. 218.)

History: P.A. 93-134 amended Subdiv. (1) to delete provision re membership of business members of private industry council, amended Subdiv. (4) to require selection of members by labor federations in manner consistent with Job Training Partnership Act rather than by labor organizations or building trade councils and added Subdiv. (6) to specify minimum requirements for initial membership of such boards in cases where private industry council has been approved as a board; P.A. 96-190 added regional community-technical colleges to the list of nonbusiness members, effective July 1, 1996; P.A. 99-195 added provision specifying that membership of each board must satisfy the requirements of the federal Workforce Investment Act of 1998, effective June 23, 1999; pursuant to P.A. 16-169, “Workforce Investment Act of 1998, P.L. 105-220” was changed editorially by the Revisors to “Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014, P.L. 113-128”; P.A. 21-40 made a technical change; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 21-2 replaced reference to private industry council as provided under Job Training Partnership Act with reference to local board as provided under Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and deleted former Subdivs. (1) to (6) re makeup of membership of board, effective July 1, 2021.

Sec. 31-3m. Agencies involved in employment and training. Duties and responsibilities. Not later than July 1, 1992, the Governor shall designate appropriate state agencies as agencies involved in employment and training. The department heads of each agency involved in employment and training shall: Not later than August 15, 1992, and annually thereafter, identify to the commissioner and the Chief Workforce Officer the employment and training programs administered by the agency that are subject to oversight by one or more boards under the provisions of sections 31-3j to 31-3o, inclusive, and 31-3r. The Chief Workforce Officer, jointly with the commissioner and the Governor's Workforce Council, shall facilitate communication and the exchange of information between the boards and the state agencies involved in employment and training.

(P.A. 92-145, S. 4, 10; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 21-2, S. 219; P.A. 22-126, S. 8.)

History: June Sp. Sess. P.A. 21-2 deleted “and annually thereafter,” re Governor designation of appropriate state agencies, deleted Subdiv. (1) designator, added reference to commissioner and Chief Workforce Officer and made a conforming change, deleted former Subdiv. (2) re information to be provided to commissioner for distribution to regional workforce development boards, and added provision re Chief Workforce Officer, commissioner and Governor's Workforce Council facilitating communication and exchange of information, effective July 1, 2021; P.A. 22-126 removed reference to Secs. 31-3p and 31-3q, effective May 27, 2022.

Sec. 31-3n. Regulations. Duties of Labor Commissioner and Chief Workforce Officer. (a) The commissioner, in consultation with the Chief Workforce Officer and the Governor's Workforce Council, may adopt regulations in accordance with chapter 54 to carry out the provisions of sections 31-3j to 31-3o, inclusive, and 31-3r.

(b) The Chief Workforce Officer shall distribute all information received under the provisions of sections 31-3j to 31-3o, inclusive, and 31-3r, to the Governor's Workforce Council in order to ensure that the review and coordination duties of the council are effectively carried out.

(c) The Governor may approve, upon the recommendation of the Governor's Workforce Council, each board established pursuant to section 31-3k which meets the requirements of sections 31-3j to 31-3o, inclusive, and 31-3r.

(P.A. 92-145, S. 5, 10; P.A. 93-134, S. 3; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 21-2, S. 220; P.A. 22-126, S. 9.)

History: P.A. 93-134 added Subsec. (e) to require commissioner's approval of regional work force development boards; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 21-2 amended Subsec. (a) by replacing, re adoption of regulations, mandatory provision in consultation with commission with discretionary provision in consultation with Chief Workforce Officer and Governor's Workforce Council, and deleting requirement that regulations establish certain criteria for board, deleted former Subsec. (b) re facilitation of communication and exchange of information, redesignated existing Subsec. (c) as Subsec. (b) and amended same to replace references to commissioner and commission with references to Chief Workforce Officer and Governor's Workforce Council, deleted former Subsec. (d) re submission of annual regional plans for Governor's approval, and redesignated existing Subsec. (e) as Subsec. (c) and amended same to replace “commissioner shall approve, in consultation with the commission” with “Governor may approve, upon the recommendation of the Governor's Workforce Council”, effective July 1, 2021; P.A. 22-126 removed references to Secs. 31-3p and 31-3q, effective May 27, 2022.

Sec. 31-3o. Duties of the Governor's Workforce Council. The Governor's Workforce Council shall ensure that the membership of each board satisfies the representation requirements of section 31-3l, regulations adopted by the commissioner under section 31-3n and guidance issued pursuant to section 4-124w in accordance with the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.

(P.A. 92-145, S. 6, 10; P.A. 16-170, S. 3; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 21-2, S. 221.)

History: P.A. 16-170 amended Subsec. (c) by deleting reference to annual plan; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 21-2 deleted former Subsecs. (a) and (c) re review and approval of annual regional plan and review and consideration of annual report, respectively, deleted former Subsec. (b) designator and amended same to replace “commission” with “Governor's Workforce Council” and add reference to guidance issued pursuant to Sec. 4-124w, effective July 1, 2021.

Secs. 31-3p and 31-3q. Grant proposal or plan inconsistent with annual regional plan of regional work force development board; procedures. State employment and training programs. Sections 31-3p and 31-3q are repealed, effective July 1, 2021.

(P.A. 92-145, S. 7, 8, 10; P.A. 93-134, S. 4; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 21-2, S. 494.)

Sec. 31-3r. Construal or administration not to conflict with the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act or supersede statutory duties. Nothing in this section or sections 31-3j to 31-3o, inclusive, shall be construed or administered in any manner that would conflict with the requirements of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act or supersede any statutory duties, responsibilities or obligations of any agency or board, including, but not limited to, any local board of education.

(P.A. 92-145, S. 9, 10; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 21-2, S. 222; P.A. 22-126, S. 10.)

History: June Sp. Sess. P.A. 21-2 replaced “Job Training Partnership Act” with “Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act”, effective July 1, 2021; P.A. 22-126 removed reference to Secs. 31-3p and 31-3q, effective May 27, 2022.

Sec. 31-3s. Subsidized employment program for general assistance recipients. Section 31-3s is repealed, effective July 1, 1995.

(May Sp. Sess. P.A. 92-16, S. 22; P.A. 95-265, S. 6, 7.)

Sec. 31-3t. Job training and retraining programs for unemployed persons who owe overdue child support. Within available resources, the Labor Commissioner shall establish a job training and retraining program designed specifically for unemployed persons (1) against whom an order for support of minor children has been issued and (2) who owe overdue support.

(P.A. 93-329, S. 9.)

Sec. 31-3u. Assistance to employers for job training and meeting ISO 9000 quality standards. Section 31-3u is repealed, effective July 1, 2021.

(P.A. 93-394, S. 1, 3; P.A. 94-193, S. 1; P.A. 95-250, S. 1; P.A. 96-211, S. 1, 5, 6; P.A. 16-170, S. 4; P.A. 21-141, S. 12; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 21-2, S. 494.)

Sec. 31-3v. Priority for financial assistance applicants who have established a work environment consistent with criteria in Sec. 32-475. The Labor Commissioner shall give priority to applicants who have established a work environment consistent with the criteria set forth in section 32-475 in awarding financial assistance under the programs authorized pursuant to this chapter to the extent consistent with any state or regional economic development strategy.

(P.A. 94-116, S. 5, 28.)

History: P.A. 94-116 effective July 1, 1994.

Sec. 31-3w. Establishment of state-wide network of job centers. (a) Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes, the Labor Commissioner, in exercise of any duties including any duties as administrator under chapter 567, shall, within available resources, participate in a state-wide network of job centers which provide to workers, students and employers comprehensive workforce development assistance, including, but not limited to, the following:

(1) Unemployment compensation, retraining allowances and other forms of federal and state income support;

(2) Career, labor market, educational and job training information, and consumer reports on local training providers;

(3) Career planning and job search assistance;

(4) Applicant recruitment and screening, assessment of training needs, customized job training pursuant to this chapter, apprenticeship programs pursuant to chapter 557 and related consultative services to employers based on their employment needs;

(5) Eligibility determinations and referrals to providers of employment and training services; and

(6) Access to information regarding job openings and, where appropriate, referral to such openings.

(b) In carrying out responsibilities under this section, the commissioner shall:

(1) Collaborate with the Governor's Workforce Council established pursuant to section 31-3h, the regional workforce development boards established pursuant to section 31-3k and the Chief Workforce Officer;

(2) Promote coordination of service delivery and collaboration with other public and private providers of education, human services and employment and training services, including, but not limited to, adult education and literacy providers;

(3) Consult with the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development and the Chief Workforce Officer to ensure coordination of service delivery to employers;

(4) Conduct outreach to employers and trade associations to ensure that services meet the needs of business and industry; and

(5) Develop a comprehensive job training assistance application for employer-based training services and programs that allows the applicant to apply for any such assistance offered by the state in one application.

(c) (1) When contacted by a veteran who is in need of employment or workforce development services, the department shall (A) determine whether the veteran resides closer to a workforce development board facility with a veterans unit than to a department facility offering such employment or workforce development assistance and, if so, provide the veteran with contact information for the workforce development board, and (B) provide a veteran who expresses an interest in advanced manufacturing, as defined in section 31-11ss, with information on the Military to Machinists program operated pursuant to section 31-11ss, if such veteran may be eligible for services from such program.

(2) For purposes of this subsection, “veteran” has the same meaning as provided in section 27-103.

(P.A. 94-116, S. 13, 28; May 25 Sp. Sess. P.A. 94-1, S. 122, 130; P.A. 95-250, S. 1; P.A. 96-211, S. 1, 5, 6; P.A. 99-236, S. 4; P.A. 19-129, S. 4; P.A. 21-40, S. 31; 21-79, S. 36; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 21-2, S. 223.)

History: P.A. 94-116 effective July 1, 1994; May 25 Sp. Sess. P.A. 94-1 made technical change, effective July 1, 1994; P.A. 95-250 and P.A. 96-211 replaced Commissioner and Department of Economic Development with Commissioner and Department of Economic and Community Development; P.A. 99-236 amended Subsec. (b) to specify coordination with adult literacy programs, outreach to employers and trade associations and a comprehensive training application; P.A. 19-129 added Subsec. (c) re veterans in need of employment or work force development services; P.A. 21-40 made technical changes in Subsec. (c)(1); P.A. 21-79 amended Subsec. (c)(2) to redefine “veteran”; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 21-2 amended Subsec. (a) by replacing “maintain” with “participate in” and amended Subsecs. (b)(1) and (b)(3) by replacing “Connecticut Employment and Training Commission” with “Governor's Workforce Council” and adding references to Chief Workforce Officer, effective July 1, 2021.

Sec. 31-3x. Funding. Application for federal waivers. The Labor Department, for the purpose of funding the program pursuant to section 31-3w, may, in addition to expending available appropriations, apply for federal waivers and receive and expend any such funds available from the federal government and any private sources for the funding of job training initiatives, including assistance to workers who are presently working and workers who are studying the feasibility of employee stock ownership plans.

(P.A. 94-116, S. 14, 28.)

History: P.A. 94-116 effective July 1, 1994.

Secs. 31-3y and 31-3z. Self-employment assistance: Definitions. Regulations. Sections 31-3y and 31-3z are repealed, effective May 23, 2022.

(P.A. 94-116, S. 16, 17, 28; P.A. 14-122, S. 144; P.A. 22-67, S. 17.)

Sec. 31-3aa. Report re self-employment assistance pilot program. Section 31-3aa is repealed, effective October 1, 2002.

(P.A. 94-116, S. 18, 28; S.A. 02-12, S. 1.)

Sec. 31-3bb. Program report cards re employment placement. Section 31-3bb is repealed, effective June 18, 2013.

(P.A. 97-263, S. 3; P.A. 13-140, S. 22.)

Sec. 31-3cc. Collection and analysis of data re gender and other bias in training programs. The Governor's Workforce Council, in cooperation with the Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity and Opportunity and the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities, shall regularly collect and analyze data on state-supported training programs that measure the presence of gender or other systematic bias and work with the relevant boards and agencies to correct any problems that are found.

(P.A. 97-263, S. 4; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 16-3, S. 161; P.A. 19-117, S. 132; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 21-2, S. 224.)

History: May Sp. Sess. P.A. 16-3 replaced “Permanent Commission on the Status of Women” with “Commission on Women, Children and Seniors”, effective July 1, 2016; P.A. 19-117 replaced “Commission on Women, Children and Seniors” with “Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity and Opportunity”, effective July 1, 2019; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 21-2 replaced “Connecticut Employment and Training Commission” with “Governor's Workforce Council”, effective July 1, 2021.

Sec. 31-3dd. Recommendation re budget targets. Section 31-3dd is repealed, effective July 1, 2021.

(P.A. 97-263, S. 5; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 21-2, S. 494.)

Sec. 31-3ee. Pilot program for TFA recipients. Report on pilot program for TFA recipients. Section 31-3ee is repealed, effective June 6, 2016.

(P.A. 98-169, S. 4, 8; P.A. 12-116, S. 87; P.A. 16-170, S. 7.)

Sec. 31-3ff. Job Training Partnership Act payments. Section 31-3ff is repealed, effective July 1, 2021.

(P.A. 00-192, S. 30, 102; P.A. 21-141, S. 12; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 21-2, S. 494.)

Sec. 31-3gg. One-stop centers. (a) In addition to the required partners identified in Section 121(b)(1) of the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014, P.L. 113-128, as from time to time amended, and subject to the approval of the regional workforce development board and the chief elected officials for the local area, each one-stop center shall include a local community action agency, as defined in section 17b-885, and an opportunities industrialization center as one-stop partners and shall provide eligible individuals utilizing the one-stop center with access to programs and activities carried out by such community action agency and opportunities industrialization center. For purposes of this subsection, “local area” refers to an area designated as such pursuant to Section 116 of the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014, P.L. 113-128, as from time to time amended.

(b) At least one representative from the Department of Social Services shall be available on-site at each one-stop center to provide eligible individuals utilizing the one-stop center with information or assistance concerning any service or program administered by the department.

(P.A. 01-146; P.A. 16-169, S. 24.)

History: Pursuant to P.A. 16-169, “Workforce Investment Act of 1998, P.L. 105-220” was changed editorially by the Revisors to “Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014, P.L. 113-128” in Subsec. (a).

Sec. 31-3hh. Regional workforce development board contracts. Regulations. Section 31-3hh is repealed, effective June 6, 2016.

(P.A. 01-156, S. 1, 2; P.A. 16-169, S. 35.)

Sec. 31-3ii. Adult education pilot program for incumbent workers. Report. Section 31-3ii is repealed, effective July 1, 2021.

(P.A. 03-102, S. 1; P.A. 21-141, S. 12; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 21-2, S. 494.)

Sec. 31-3jj. Job training; English as a second language instruction. Each state agency providing or assisting in the provision of job training shall, within available appropriations, include the opportunity for English as a second language instruction.

(P.A. 04-227, S. 3.)

History: P.A. 04-227 effective July 1, 2004.

Sec. 31-3kk. Funds for incumbent worker training programs. Section 31-3kk is repealed, effective June 18, 2013.

(P.A. 06-83, S. 21; P.A. 13-140, S. 22.)

Sec. 31-3ll. Incumbent Worker Training Program. Regulations. (a) The Labor Commissioner shall, within available appropriations, establish and operate the Incumbent Worker Training Program, the purposes of which shall be to: (1) Sustain high growth occupation and economically vital industries identified by such commissioners; and (2) assist workers in obtaining skills to start or move up their career ladders. Such job training program may include training designed to increase the basic skills of employees, including, but not limited to, training in written and oral communication, mathematics or science, or training in technical and technological skills and such other training as such commissioners determine is necessary to meet the needs of the employer. No more than five per cent of the appropriation for the program may be used for administrative purposes.

(b) Not less than fifty per cent of the cost of such training shall be borne by the employer requesting the training.

(c) Fifty per cent of any funds appropriated for the Incumbent Worker Training Program in a fiscal year shall be used for companies that have not received Incumbent Worker Training Program funding in the previous three fiscal years.

(d) The Labor Commissioner shall allocate funds for the Incumbent Worker Training Program on a regional basis and may designate an entity to administer such program in each region.

(e) The application for the Incumbent Worker Training Program shall be on a form prescribed by the Labor Commissioner.

(f) The Labor Commissioner is authorized to adopt, pursuant to chapter 54, any regulations required to carry out this section.

(P.A. 06-187, S. 14; P.A. 07-166, S. 10; P.A. 13-140, S. 16.)

History: P.A. 06-187 effective July 1, 2006; P.A. 07-166 made a technical change in Subsec. (a)(2), effective June 19, 2007; P.A. 13-140 amended Subsec. (a) by deleting provision re Labor Commissioner to consult with Commissioners of Economic and Community Development and Education and replacing “Twenty-First Century Skills Training Program” with “Incumbent Worker Training Program”, added new Subsecs. (c), (d) and (e) re use and allocation of funds and application form for the program, and redesignated existing Subsec. (c) as Subsec. (f), effective June 18, 2013.

Sec. 31-3mm. Youth employment and training funds. (a) The Labor Department, within available appropriations, shall establish a program to distribute youth employment and training funds to regional workforce development boards.

(b) Funds provided for in this section shall be allocated as follows: (1) Thirty-two and five-tenths per cent to Capitol Workforce Partners; (2) twenty-two and five-tenths per cent to The Workforce Alliance; (3) twelve and five-tenths per cent to The Workplace, Inc.; (4) twenty-two and five-tenths per cent to the Northwest Regional Workforce Investment Board, Inc.; and (5) ten per cent to the Eastern Connecticut Workforce Investment Board.

(June Sp. Sess. P.A. 07-4, S. 5.)

History: June Sp. Sess. P.A. 07-4 effective July 1, 2007.

Sec. 31-3nn. Mortgage crisis job training program. (a) The WorkPlace, Inc., in conjunction with the other regional workforce development boards pursuant to section 31-3k and the one-stop centers pursuant to section 31-3gg, shall establish a mortgage crisis job training program in accordance with this section. For purposes of the program, at least three mortgage crisis job training teams shall be established for different areas of the state. The WorkPlace, Inc. and Capital Workforce Partners shall manage such teams. The teams, in cooperation with the regional workforce development boards and the one-stop centers, shall ensure the provision of rapid, customized employment services, job training, repair training and job placement assistance to borrowers who are unemployed, underemployed or in need of a second job. The WorkPlace, Inc. shall arrange for the provision of financial literacy and credit counseling for participants in the program with the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority.

(b) Borrowers shall be eligible for the program if they are at least sixty days delinquent on their mortgages and (1) are referred by their Connecticut Housing Finance Authority lender, or (2) demonstrate an imminent need to increase earnings in order to avoid delinquency or foreclosure. Borrowers may also access the program through the one-stop centers.

(c) The WorkPlace, Inc. and the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority shall submit a joint report, in accordance with section 11-4a, on the implementation of the mortgage crisis job training program to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to banks and planning and development, and to the select committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to housing by January 1, 2009.

(P.A. 08-176, S. 13.)

History: P.A. 08-176 effective July 1, 2008.

Sec. 31-3oo. Connecticut Employment and Training Commission solicitation and publication of information re promotion of green technology industry. Section 31-3oo is repealed, effective July 1, 2021.

(P.A. 10-156, S. 2; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 21-2, S. 494.)

Sec. 31-3pp. Subsidized Training and Employment program. (a) For purposes of this section:

(1) “Department” means the Labor Department;

(2) “Eligible small business” means a business that (A) employed not more than one hundred full-time employees on at least fifty per cent of its working days during the preceding twelve months, (B) has operations in Connecticut, (C) has been registered to conduct business for not less than twelve months, and (D) is in good standing with the payment of all state and local taxes. “Eligible small business” does not include the state or any political subdivision thereof;

(3) “Control”, with respect to a corporation, means ownership, directly or indirectly, of stock possessing fifty per cent or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of the stock of such corporation entitled to vote. “Control”, with respect to a trust, means ownership, directly or indirectly, of fifty per cent or more of the beneficial interest in the principal or income of such trust. The ownership of stock in a corporation, of a capital or profits interest in a partnership, limited liability company or association or of a beneficial interest in a trust shall be determined in accordance with the rules for constructive ownership of stock provided in Section 267(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or any subsequent corresponding internal revenue code of the United States, as from time to time amended, other than paragraph (3) of said Section 267(c);

(4) “Related person” means (A) a corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or trust controlled by the eligible small business, (B) an individual, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or trust that is in control of the eligible small business, (C) a corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or trust controlled by an individual, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or trust that is in control of the eligible small business, or (D) a member of the same controlled group as the eligible small business;

(5) “Eligible small manufacturer” means an eligible small business described in sectors 31 to 33, inclusive, of the North American Industry Classification System, that employed not more than one hundred employees on at least fifty per cent of its working days during the preceding twelve months.

(b) (1) There is established within the Labor Department a Subsidized Training and Employment program for eligible small businesses and eligible small manufacturers. Said program shall provide grants to such businesses and manufacturers to subsidize, for the first one hundred eighty calendar days after a person is hired, a part of the cost of employment, including any costs related to training. No such business or manufacturer receiving a grant under this section with respect to a new employee or newly hired person may receive a second grant under this section with respect to the same new employee or newly hired person.

(2) At the discretion of the Labor Commissioner, the department may use up to four per cent of any funds allocated pursuant to section 5 of public act 11-1 of the October special session* for the purpose of retaining outside consultants or the Workforce Investment Boards to operate the Subsidized Training and Employment program.

(3) The department shall monitor, in a manner prescribed by the commissioner, such outside consultants or Workforce Investment Boards that operate the Subsidized Training and Employment program. At the discretion of the Labor Commissioner, the department may use up to one per cent of any funds allocated pursuant to section 5 of public act 11-1 of the October special session* in any fiscal year for the purpose of the marketing and operation of the Subsidized Training and Employment program, and the monitoring of the outside consultants or Workforce Investment Boards retained pursuant to subdivision (2) of this subsection.

(c) (1) An eligible small business may apply to the department for a grant to subsidize on-the-job training and compensation for a new employee, where “new employee” means a person who (A) was unemployed immediately prior to employment, regardless of whether such person collected unemployment compensation benefits as a result of such unemployment, (B) is a resident of a municipality that has (i) an unemployment rate that is equal to or higher than the state unemployment rate as of September 1, 2011, or (ii) a population of eighty thousand or more, and (C) has a family income equal to or less than two hundred fifty per cent of the federal poverty level, adjusted for family size. “New employee” does not include a person who was employed in this state by a related person with respect to the eligible small business during the prior twelve months or a person employed on a temporary or seasonal basis by a retailer, as defined in section 42-371. No small business shall be eligible for a grant under this section for a new employee if such new employee is hired to replace a worker who (i) is currently employed by such small business, or (ii) was terminated by such small business, unless such small business demonstrates just cause for such replacement or termination, if applicable.

(2) Grants to eligible small businesses under the Subsidized Training and Employment program shall be in the following amounts: (A) For the first thirty calendar days a new employee is employed, one hundred per cent of an amount representing the hourly wage of such new employee, exclusive of any benefits, but in no event shall such amount exceed twenty dollars per hour; (B) for the thirty-first to ninetieth, inclusive, calendar days, seventy-five per cent of such amount; (C) for the ninety-first to one hundred fiftieth, inclusive, calendar days, fifty per cent of such amount; and (D) for the one hundred fifty-first to one hundred eightieth, inclusive, calendar days, twenty-five per cent of such amount. Grants shall be cancelled as of the date the new employee leaves employment with the eligible small business.

(d) (1) An eligible small manufacturer may apply to the department for a grant to be used to train and compensate persons newly hired by such manufacturer. Any training shall be provided by such manufacturer, and take place on such manufacturer's premises, but no existing formal training program shall be required. The Labor Commissioner, or said commissioner's designee, shall review and approve such manufacturer's description of the proposed training as part of the application. No small manufacturer shall be eligible for a grant under this section for a new employee if such new employee is hired to replace a worker who (A) is currently employed by such small manufacturer, or (B) was terminated by such small manufacturer, unless such small manufacturer demonstrates just cause for such replacement or termination, if applicable.

(2) Grants awarded to an eligible small manufacturer pursuant to this subsection shall subsidize the costs of training and compensating each person newly hired by such manufacturer. In no event shall a grant exceed the salary of the newly hired person. Maximum amounts of each grant are: For the first full calendar month a newly hired person is employed, up to two thousand five hundred dollars; for the second month, up to two thousand four hundred dollars; for the third month, up to two thousand two hundred dollars; for the fourth month, up to two thousand dollars; for the fifth month, up to one thousand eight hundred dollars; and for the sixth month, up to one thousand six hundred dollars. No grant shall exceed a total amount of twelve thousand five hundred dollars per newly hired person. A grant may be cancelled as of the date such person leaves employment with the eligible small manufacturer.

(e) (1) An eligible small business or eligible small manufacturer may apply to the department for a grant to subsidize on-the-job training for a preapprentice, where “preapprentice” means a person, student or minor (A) employed under a written agreement with an apprenticeship sponsor for a term of training and employment not exceeding two thousand hours or twenty-four months in duration, and (B) registered with the Labor Department. “Preapprentice” does not include a person who was employed in this state by a related person with respect to the eligible small business during the prior twelve months or a person employed on a temporary or seasonal basis by a retailer, as defined in section 42-371.

(2) Grants to eligible small businesses or eligible small manufacturers under the Subsidized Training and Employment program shall be in the following amounts: (A) For the first thirty calendar days a preapprentice is employed, one hundred per cent of an amount representing the cost of on-the-job training for such preapprentice, but in no event shall such amount exceed ten dollars per hour; (B) for the thirty-first to ninetieth, inclusive, calendar days, seventy-five per cent of such amount; (C) for the ninety-first to one hundred fiftieth, inclusive, calendar days, fifty per cent of such amount; and (D) for the one hundred fifty-first to one hundred eightieth, inclusive, calendar days, twenty-five per cent of such amount. Grants shall be cancelled as of the date the preapprentice leaves his or her apprenticeship with the eligible small business or eligible small manufacturer.

(f) In each fiscal year that eligible small businesses and manufacturers are awarded subsidized employment and training program grants pursuant to this section, the Labor Commissioner shall provide a report not later than October first of such fiscal year, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a, to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to finance, revenue and bonding, appropriations, commerce and labor. Said report shall include available data, for the fiscal year preceding such report, on (1) the number of small businesses that participated in the Subsidized Training and Employment program established pursuant to subsections (c) and (e) of this section, and the general categories of such businesses, (2) the number of small manufacturers that participated in the Subsidized Training and Employment program established pursuant to subsections (d) and (e) of this section, and the general categories of such manufacturers, (3) the number of individuals that received employment, and (4) the most recent estimate of the number of jobs created or maintained.

(g) The Labor Commissioner may adopt regulations in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 to carry out the provisions of this section.

(Oct. Sp. Sess. P.A. 11-1, S. 4; June 12 Sp. Sess. P.A. 12-1, S. 202; P.A. 14-38, S. 3; P.A. 15-127, S. 1; P.A. 21-141, S. 4; P.A. 22-67, S. 2.)

*Note: Section 5 of public act 11-1 of the October special session is special in nature and therefore has not been codified but remains in full force and effect according to its terms.

History: Oct. Sp. Sess. P.A. 11-1 effective October 27, 2011; June 12 Sp. Sess. P.A. 12-1 amended Subsec. (a) by redefining “eligible small business” in Subdiv. (2) and “eligible small manufacturer” in Subdiv. (5), amended Subsec. (b) by substituting “one hundred eighty calendar days” for “six months” in Subdiv. (1), adding reference to Labor Commissioner's discretion re use of funds and replacing provision re consultants to administer program with provision re consultants or Workforce Investment Boards to operate program in Subdiv. (2) and adding Subdiv. (3) re use of allocated funds for marketing and operation of program, amended Subsec. (c) by excluding person employed by retailer on temporary or seasonal basis from definition of “new employee” in Subdiv. (1) and replacing references to calendar months with references to calendar day periods in Subdiv. (2), amended Subsec. (d)(1) by replacing “department” with “Labor Commissioner, or said commissioner's designee”, and amended Subsec. (e) by changing dates for submission of report and adding provision re data for six-month period, effective June 15, 2012; P.A. 14-38 added new Subsec. (e) re grant to subsidize on-the-job training for new apprentice, redesignated existing Subsecs. (e) and (f) as Subsecs. (f) and (g) and made conforming changes, effective July 1, 2014; P.A. 15-127 amended Subsec. (a)(2) by redefining “eligible small business”, amended Subsec. (b)(3) by adding provisions re department monitoring outside consultants or Workforce Investment Boards and changing “four per cent” to “one per cent”, amended Subsecs. (c)(1) and (d)(1) by adding provisions re ineligibility for grants for hiring new employees to replace current employees or employees who were terminated without just cause, amended Subsec. (e) by replacing “new apprentice” with “preapprentice” and redefining same, and made technical changes; P.A. 21-141 redefined “preapprentice” in Subsec. (e), effective July 7, 2021; P.A. 22-67 amended Subsec. (f) to change the reporting requirements for the subsidized training and employment program grants from twice annually to not later than October first of fiscal years when such grants are awarded, effective May 23, 2022.

Sec. 31-3qq. Reserved for future use.

Sec. 31-3rr. Career ladder in green technology industry. (a) As used in this section and section 10a-55g:

(1) “Green jobs” has the same meaning as provided in section 10a-55d;

(2) “Green technology” has the same meaning as provided in section 10a-55d; and

(3) “Career ladder” means a description of the progression from an entry level position to higher levels of pay, skill, responsibility or authority.

(b) Not later than January 1, 2020, the Office of Workforce Strategy, in consultation with the Office of Higher Education, Department of Education, Labor Department, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, regional workforce development boards and employers, shall, within available appropriations, identify a career ladder for jobs in the green technology industry, including, but not limited to, a listing of (1) careers at each level of the green technology industry and the requisite level of education and the salary offered for such career, (2) all course, certificate and degree programs in green jobs offered by technical education and career schools within the Technical Education and Career System and institutions of higher education in the state, and (3) jobs available in the green technology industry in the state. The Office of Workforce Strategy shall update the green jobs career ladder established pursuant to this section on an as needed basis.

(P.A. 19-35, S. 19; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 21-2, S. 237.)

History: P.A. 19-35 effective July 1, 2019; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 21-2 replaced “Office of Workforce Competitiveness” with “Office of Workforce Strategy” and “establish” with “identify”, effective July 1, 2021.

See Sec. 10a-55g re publication of the career ladder by the Office of Higher Education and the Labor Department.

Secs. 31-3ss and 31-3tt. Reserved for future use.

Sec. 31-3uu. Unemployed Armed Forces Member Subsidized Training and Employment program. (a) For purposes of this section:

(1) “Department” means the Labor Department;

(2) “Eligible business” means a business that (A) has operations in Connecticut, (B) has been registered to conduct business for not less than twelve months, and (C) is in good standing with the payment of all state and local taxes. “Eligible business” does not include the state or any political subdivision thereof;

(4) “Related person” means (A) a corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or trust controlled by an eligible business, (B) an individual, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or trust that is in control of an eligible business, (C) a corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or trust controlled by an individual, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or trust that is in control of an eligible business, or (D) a member of the same controlled group as an eligible business;

(5) “New employee” means a person who (A) was unemployed prior to employment with an eligible business, regardless of whether such person collected unemployment compensation benefits as a result of such unemployment, and (B) was a member of the armed forces and was honorably discharged after not less than ninety days of service, unless such person was separated from service earlier because of a service-connected disability rated by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. “New employee” does not include a person who was employed in this state by a related person of such eligible business during any of the twelve months prior to employment with the eligible business;

(6) “On-the-job training” means training provided by an eligible business on such business' premise; and

(7) “Armed Forces” means the United States Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and Air Force and any reserve component thereof, including a state National Guard performing duty as provided in Title 32 of the United States Code.

(b) (1) There is established within the Labor Department an Unemployed Armed Forces Member Subsidized Training and Employment program for eligible businesses. Said program shall provide grants to eligible businesses to subsidize, for the first one hundred eighty calendar days after a new employee is hired, part of the cost of on-the-job training and compensation for such new employee, in accordance with subsection (c) of this section. No business receiving a grant under this section with respect to a new employee may receive a second grant under this section or a grant under section 31-3pp with respect to the same new employee.

(2) At the discretion of the Labor Commissioner, the department may use up to four per cent of any funds allocated pursuant to section 31-3vv for the purpose of retaining outside consultants or the Workforce Investment Boards to operate the Unemployed Armed Forces Member Subsidized Training and Employment program, and to provide transportation to and from the workplace, if needed, for an employee for whom a grant was awarded under subsection (c) of this section.

(3) The department shall monitor, in a manner prescribed by the commissioner, such outside consultants or Workforce Investment Boards that operate the Unemployed Armed Forces Member Subsidized Training and Employment program. At the discretion of the Labor Commissioner, the department may use up to one per cent of any funds allocated pursuant to section 31-3vv in any fiscal year for the purpose of the marketing and operation of the Unemployed Armed Forces Member Subsidized Training and Employment program, and the monitoring of the outside consultants or Workforce Investment Boards retained pursuant to subdivision (2) of this subsection.

(c) (1) An eligible business may apply to the department for a grant to subsidize on-the-job training and compensation for a new employee hired by such business. The Labor Commissioner, or said commissioner's designee, shall review and approve such business' description of the proposed on-the-job training as part of the grant application. No eligible business shall be eligible for a grant under this section for a new employee if such new employee is hired to replace a worker who (A) is currently employed by such eligible business, or (B) was terminated by such eligible business, unless such eligible business demonstrates just cause for such replacement or termination, if applicable.

(2) A grant awarded to an eligible business pursuant to this subsection shall be in the following amount: (A) For the first thirty calendar days a new employee is employed, one hundred per cent of the wage of such new employee, exclusive of any benefits, not to exceed twenty dollars per hour; (B) for the thirty-first to ninetieth, inclusive, calendar days, seventy-five per cent of such amount; (C) for the ninety-first to one hundred fiftieth, inclusive, calendar days, fifty per cent of such amount; and (D) for the one hundred fifty-first to one hundred eightieth, inclusive, calendar days, twenty-five per cent of such amount. A grant shall be cancelled as of the date the new employee leaves employment with the eligible business.

(d) In every fiscal year that eligible businesses are awarded unemployed armed forces member subsidized training and employment program grants pursuant to this section, the Labor Commissioner shall provide a report not later than October first of such fiscal year, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a, to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to finance, revenue and bonding, appropriations, commerce, veterans and labor. Said report shall include available data, for the fiscal year preceding such report, on (1) the number of businesses that participated in the Unemployed Armed Forces Member Subsidized Training and Employment program established pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, and the general categories of such businesses, and (2) the number of individuals that received employment under said program.

(e) The Labor Commissioner may adopt regulations in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 to carry out the provisions of this section.

(June 12 Sp. Sess. P.A. 12-1, S. 204; P.A. 13-63, S. 1; P.A. 15-127, S. 2; P.A. 18-72, S. 34; P.A. 22-67, S. 3.)

History: June 12 Sp. Sess. P.A. 12-1 effective June 15, 2012; P.A. 13-63 redefined “new employee” in Subsec. (a)(5), effective June 3, 2013; P.A. 15-127 amended Subsec. (a)(2) by redefining “eligible business”, amended Subsec. (b) by adding provision allowing funds to be used to provide transportation to and from the workplace for certain employees in Subdiv. (2) and adding provision re department monitoring outside consultants or Workforce Investment Boards and changing “four per cent” to “one per cent” in Subdiv. (3), and amended Subsec. (c)(1) by adding provision re ineligibility for grants for hiring new employee to replace a current employee or an employee who was terminated without just cause; P.A. 18-72 amended Subsec. (a)(5)(B) to replace “Veterans' Administration” with “United States Department of Veterans Affairs”; P.A. 22-67 amended Subsec. (d) to change the reporting requirements for the Unemployed Armed Forces Member Subsidized Training and Employment program grants from twice annually to not later than October first of fiscal years such grants are awarded, effective May 23, 2022.

Sec. 31-3vv. Bond authorization for Unemployed Armed Forces Member Subsidized Training and Employment program. (a) For the purposes described in subsection (b) of this section, the State Bond Commission shall have the power, from time to time to authorize the issuance of bonds of the state in one or more series and in principal amounts not exceeding in the aggregate eight million dollars, provided five million dollars of said authorization shall be effective July 1, 2013.

(b) The proceeds of the sale of said bonds, to the extent of the amount stated in subsection (a) of this section, shall be used by the Labor Department for the purposes of the Unemployed Armed Forces Member Subsidized Training and Employment program established pursuant to section 31-3uu.

(c) All provisions of section 3-20, or the exercise of any right or power granted thereby, which are not inconsistent with the provisions of this section are hereby adopted and shall apply to all bonds authorized by the State Bond Commission pursuant to this section, and temporary notes in anticipation of the money to be derived from the sale of any such bonds so authorized may be issued in accordance with said section 3-20 and from time to time renewed. Such bonds shall mature at such time or times not exceeding twenty years from their respective dates as may be provided in or pursuant to the resolution or resolutions of the State Bond Commission authorizing such bonds. None of said bonds shall be authorized except upon a finding by the State Bond Commission that there has been filed with it a request for such authorization which is signed by or on behalf of the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management and states such terms and conditions as said commission, in its discretion, may require. Said bonds issued pursuant to this section shall be general obligations of the state and the full faith and credit of the state of Connecticut are pledged for the payment of the principal of and interest on said bonds as the same become due, and accordingly and as part of the contract of the state with the holders of said bonds, appropriation of all amounts necessary for punctual payment of such principal and interest is hereby made, and the State Treasurer shall pay such principal and interest as the same become due.

(June 12 Sp. Sess. P.A. 12-1, S. 205; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 16-4, S. 256.)

History: June 12 Sp. Sess. P.A. 12-1 effective July 1, 2012; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 16-4 amended Subsec. (a) by decreasing aggregate authorization from $10,000,000 to $8,000,000 and making a technical change, effective July 1, 2016.

Sec. 31-3ww. Qualified apprenticeship training program. (a) For purposes of this section, “qualified apprenticeship training program” has the same meaning as provided in section 12-217g, and “taxpayer” means an affected business entity, as defined in section 12-284b.

(b) The Labor Commissioner shall establish and implement a program of grants for taxpayers that employ apprentices under a qualified apprenticeship training program in the manufacturing trades, plastics and plastics-related trades or construction trades. The eligibility requirements for such apprenticeship grants shall be the same as those imposed by section 12-217g. Grants awarded by the commissioner pursuant to this section shall be in the amounts provided in said section 12-217g for apprentices in the appropriate trade.

(c) The total amount of grants available under such program shall not exceed fifty thousand dollars. Taxpayers shall apply for grants to the commissioner, on forms and in the manner provided by the commissioner. The commissioner shall award such grants on a first-come, first-served basis.

(P.A. 13-247, S. 382; P.A. 14-122, S. 145.)

History: P.A. 13-247 effective July 1, 2013, and applicable to taxable years commencing on and after January 1, 2013; P.A. 14-122 made technical changes in Subsec. (a).

Sec. 31-3xx. Quick-reference guide for workers fifty years of age or older. (a) Not later than January 1, 2015, the Labor Department shall develop or approve a one page quick-reference guide summarizing (1) the public and private resources available for unemployed workers fifty years of age or older within the state, and (2) the steps by which such workers may access such resources.

(b) The Labor Department shall, within available appropriations, ensure that the resources summarized pursuant to subsection (a) of this section are accessible through the 2-1-1 Infoline Internet web site.

(P.A. 14-225, S. 2.)

Sec. 31-3yy. Report cards re employment placement programs. Section 31-3yy is repealed, effective July 1, 2021.

(P.A. 14-42, S. 1; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 21-2, S. 494.)

Sec. 31-3zz. Special Operations Resource Network for veterans and members of armed forces or National Guard. The Labor Commissioner shall establish a Special Operations Resource Network to serve as a clearinghouse for veterans and members of the armed forces and National Guard who have acquired, as part of their military training, knowledge, experience or a set of skills most compatible with certain professional opportunities. The Labor Commissioner, in consultation with the Commissioner of Veterans Affairs and the Adjutant General, shall develop a database in which such veterans and members are categorized based on the types of military training received and cross-referenced against certain professional opportunities for purposes of pairing any such veteran or member with any such professional opportunity. Any veteran or member of the armed forces or National Guard may apply for inclusion in such database by submitting (1) evidence of the military training received by such veteran or member describing the particular knowledge, experience or set of skills acquired, and (2) if such applicant is a veteran, such veteran's military discharge document or a certified copy thereof. The Labor Commissioner shall evaluate any such application, include such veteran or member in such database, and so categorize such veteran or member as described in this section. The Labor Commissioner shall update such database weekly and shall publish such database on the Labor Department's Internet web site. Any person interested in hiring any such veteran or member included in such database shall contact the department through a dedicated telephone number and the department shall facilitate contact between such person and such veteran or member. For the purposes of this section, “veteran” and “armed forces” have the same meanings as provided in section 27-103, and “military discharge document” has the same meaning as provided in section 1-219.

(P.A. 16-68, S. 1; P.A. 21-79, S. 37.)

History: P.A. 21-79 redefined “veteran” and made technical changes.

Sec. 31-4. Immigrant laborers; protection; penalty for defrauding; printed material re rights. (a) The commissioner may appoint, as special agents, competent persons, familiar with the language of non-English-speaking laborers, who shall inform such laborers, either personally or through printed matter in their language, as to their right of contract under the laws of the state, and shall prevent illegal advantage being taken of such laborers by reason of their lack of knowledge, credulity or lack of proficiency in the English language. The appointment of such agents shall not be permanent but simply to meet the exigencies of each case as presented to the commissioner, and they shall be paid the same compensation as is paid other agents. Any person who obtains or receives money due immigrant laborers or laborers who lack proficiency in the English language and retains any part thereof for such person's own use without giving adequate consideration therefor shall be guilty of a class A misdemeanor.

(b) The commissioner shall produce printed material describing the rights of immigrant laborers or laborers who lack proficiency in the English language as employees under part III of chapter 557 and chapters 558 and 567, and the commissioner shall provide such information to such laborers when they apply for benefits under chapter 567 or when they seek compliance with any provision under part III of chapter 557 or chapter 558. The commissioner shall, within available funds, make such information available to the public. The commissioner shall prevent illegal advantage being taken of such laborers by reason of their lack of information about their rights, credulity or lack of proficiency in the English language. The languages used in such printed material, in addition to Spanish and French, may be those languages determined by the commissioner to be spoken by the primary groups of immigrant laborers in the state.

(1949 Rev., S. 3778; P.A. 01-147, S. 1; P.A. 03-19, S. 73; P.A. 12-80, S. 91.)

History: P.A. 01-147 designated existing provisions as Subsec. (a) and amended by deleting references to “the bureau” and provision limiting expenses to $300, changing “alien” to “non-English-speaking”, “ignorance” to “lack of knowledge”, “want of knowledge” to “lack of proficiency” and “laborers ignorant of” to “immigrant laborers or laborers who lack proficiency in”, and making a technical change for purposes of gender neutrality, and added Subsec. (b) re production by commissioner of printed material re rights of immigrant laborers or laborers who lack proficiency in English language and prevention of illegal advantage being taken of such laborers; P.A. 03-19 made a technical change in Subsec. (b), effective May 12, 2003; P.A. 12-80 amended Subsec. (a) to replace penalty of a fine of not more than $100 or imprisonment of not more than 1 year or both with a class A misdemeanor.

Sec. 31-5. State employment bureaus. Branches. Section 31-5 is repealed.

(1949 Rev., S. 3779; P.A. 75-97; P.A. 77-113; 77-426, S. 15, 19.)

Sec. 31-6. Federal aid for public employment offices. Notification of state job openings or examinations to the Connecticut Employment Service. (a) The state of Connecticut accepts the benefits of an act of the Congress of the United States entitled “An Act to Provide for the Establishment of a National Employment System and for Cooperation with the States in the Promotion of Such System and for Other Purposes”, approved June 6, 1933, and will observe and comply with the requirements of said act. The Labor Department is designated as the state agency for the purpose of said act and is vested with all powers necessary to cooperate with the United States Employment Service under this section.

(b) Each agency in the executive, legislative and judicial branches of state government shall notify the Connecticut Employment Service of any job openings or examinations for positions in the agency.

(1949 Rev., S. 3780; P.A. 85-505, S. 5, 21.)

History: P.A. 85-505 made the existing section Subsec. (a) and added Subsec. (b) requiring notification of state job openings and examinations to be given to Connecticut employment service.

See Sec. 31-237 re Employment Security Division's duties re requirements of federal act.

Sec. 31-7. Notices. The orders and notices given by the Labor Commissioner under the provisions of this chapter shall be written or printed, signed by him officially, and may be served by him or any proper officer or indifferent person, by leaving an attested copy thereof with or at the usual place of abode of the person upon whom service is to be made, or by registered or certified mail addressed to such person at his last-known place of address. Such notice, properly endorsed with the doings of the person or officer serving the same, shall be returned to the commissioner and shall be prima facie evidence that notice was given as therein appears. Notice to one member of a firm shall be notice to every member thereof, and notice to the president, secretary or treasurer of a corporation shall be notice to such corporation. The fees for serving such orders and notices, unless served by the commissioner, shall be the same as for the service of process in civil actions, and shall be included in the necessary expenses of the commissioner.

(1949 Rev., S. 3756.)

Sec. 31-8. Appeal from orders of commissioner. Except as provided in subsections (a) and (c) of section 4-186, any person, firm or corporation aggrieved by any order of the commissioner may appeal, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to the superior court for the judicial district where the person, firm or corporation owns, leases or occupies the factory or building to which such order relates.

(1949 Rev., S. 3757; 1971, P.A. 870, S. 86; P.A. 76-436, S. 616, 681; P.A. 77-603, S. 20, 125; P.A. 78-280, S. 1, 127; P.A. 88-317, S. 32, 107.)

History: 1971 act replaced superior court with court of common pleas, effective September 1, 1971, except that courts with cases pending retain jurisdiction unless pending matters deemed transferable; P.A. 76-436 replaced court of common pleas with superior court and added reference to judicial districts, effective July 1, 1978; P.A. 77-603 added specific provision applicable to appeals in contested cases; P.A. 78-280 deleted reference to counties; P.A. 88-317 substituted, in the first sentence, “as provided in subsections (a) and (c) of section 4-186” for “for an appeal in a contested case, as defined in section 4-166” and required appeal to be made “in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54” instead of specifying the deadline, form and procedure for the appeal, effective July 1, 1989, and applicable to all agency proceedings commencing on or after that date.

Cited. 164 C. 233.

Sec. 31-9. Factory inspection. Deputy commissioner. Report. Section 31-9 is repealed, effective May 23, 2022.

(1949 Rev., S. 3746; September, 1957, P.A. 11, S. 13; P.A. 22-67, S. 17.)

Sec. 31-10. Deputy inspectors. Prosecution for violations. To assist him in the performance of his duties, the Labor Commissioner shall appoint not more than thirty deputy inspectors. Seventeen of such deputies shall be qualified as safety inspectors and shall devote special attention to the causes and the prevention of industrial accidents in all places of employment in the state. Such deputies shall have the same power as the commissioner has in the Department of Factory Inspection. The commissioner and all deputies appointed under authority hereof are authorized to lodge a complaint with any prosecuting officer for the violation of any provision of this chapter, and, if such prosecuting officer refuses to prosecute such offense, the commissioner or his deputy may present such complaint to the judge of the court having jurisdiction, and, if such judge finds that sufficient facts to warrant prosecution have been presented, he shall forthwith order the prosecuting officer to issue a warrant for such offender. Any prosecuting officer refusing to issue such warrant when so ordered shall be fined not more than twenty-five dollars for each offense.

(1949 Rev., S. 3747; 1961, P.A. 517, S. 83; 1972, P.A. 54.)

History: 1961 act deleted references to trial justice; 1972 act deleted requirement that at least four of the thirty deputy inspectors be women.

Cited. 243 C. 66.

Sec. 31-11. Hindering inspector. Any owner, lessee or occupant of a factory or other building included within the provisions of this chapter or owning or controlling the use of any room in such building, who obstructs, hinders or unreasonably delays the Labor Commissioner or any of his deputies in the performance of the duties imposed by the general statutes, or who fails to provide at least one way of unobstructed ingress to such room or such building for said commissioner or his deputies in the performance of such duties, shall be fined not more than two hundred dollars.

(1949 Rev., S. 3749.)

Sec. 31-11a. Employee Dislocation Allowance Fund established. Section 31-11a is repealed, provided the payment of any claim filed with the Labor Commissioner prior to April 13, 1981, for the payment of benefits pursuant to said section, for any week prior to April 13, 1981, shall not be affected.

(P.A. 78-16, S. 8–10; P.A. 81-59, S. 1, 2.)

Secs. 31-11b to 31-11k. Reserved for future use.