Page 164 - An Indispensible Resource for Being a Credible Activist

CONNECTICUT

Child labor. The State removed the sunset provision pertaining to conditions under which a
15-year-old minor can be employed in a mercantile establishment. Employers continue to be
exempt from any fines for employing 15-year-olds after the September 30, 2007, sunset, pro-
vided that such employment is (1) limited to periods during which school is not in session
for five or more consecutive days, except that any such minor employed in a retail food store
may work on any Saturday during the year; (2) for not more than 40 hours in any week; (3)
for not more than eight hours in any day; and (4) between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00
p.m., except that from July 1 to the first Monday in September in any year, any such minor
may be employed until 9:00 p.m.
Labor department. The State Department of Labor and Employment, in its quarterly
electronic publication distributed to employers, shall, at a minimum, notify every employer
of the Federal law against hiring or continuing to employ an unauthorized alien. In addition,
the notice shall include information about the e-verify program jointly administered by the
U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration. Notifications
are required on a quarterly basis for two years and twice per year thereafter.
Employment agencies. State Public Act No. 08-105 was amended to better codify (1) the
criteria and responsibilities for professional employer companies, (2) the steps for becom-
ing registered within the State, and (3) all appropriate fiduciary responsibilities for the com-
pany. In addition, the State legislature established a joint enforcement commission on
employee misclassification. The commission members will consist of the State com-
missioners for labor, revenue services, and workers’ compensation; the attorney general;
and the chief State’s attorney—or their designees. The commission shall meet no fewer than
five times each year and shall review the problem of employee misclassification by em-
ployers for the purpose of avoiding the employer’s obligations under State and Federal labor,
employment, and tax laws. The commission shall coordinate the civil prosecution of viola-
tions of State and Federal laws as a result of employee misclassification and shall report any
suspected violation to the Chief State’s Attorney or the State’s Attorney serving the district
in which the violation is alleged to have occurred. The commission shall report to the
Governor and the relevant joint standing committee of the State General Assembly.
Independent contractor. Legislation was enacted that established a joint enforcement
commission on employee misclassification and the State Employee Misclassification
Advisory Board. Civil prosecution will be coordinated by the commission in the event that
an employer is found to have violated State and Federal laws as a result of employee misclas-
sification. Beginning in 2010, the commission is required to produce a yearly report that
summarizes its actions for the preceding calendar year and includes recommendations for
administrative or legislative action. The board will advise the commission on employee mis-
classification in the construction industry in the state, and the members of the board will
consist of management and labor representatives in the construction industry.
Minimum wage. The hourly minimum-wage rate of pay required under state law was
increased to $8.00 per hour, effective January 1, 2009. The rate on January 1, 2010, will
again increase, this time to $8.25 per hour. State law requires that whenever the highest
Federal minimum wage is increased, the State minimum wage shall be increased to the

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