CHAPTER 556
LABOR DEPARTMENT

      Sec. 31-1. Labor Department. Commissioner. There shall be a Labor Department. The department head shall be the Labor Commissioner, who shall be appointed by the Governor in accordance with the provisions of sections 4-5, 4-6, 4-7 and 4-8.

      (1949 Rev., S. 3745; March, 1950, S. 2023d; P.A. 77-614, S. 476, 610.)

      History: P.A. 77-614 rephrased provisions without changing their meaning, effective January 1, 1979.

      Cited. 132 C. 533.

      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 shall have power to 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. Said commissioner shall collect and collate population and employment data to project who is working, who is not working and who will be entering the job market and shall provide an analysis of data concerning present job requirements and potential needs of new industry. The commissioner shall include in his annual report to the Governor, as provided in section 4-60, all the aforesaid statistical details.

      (b) The commissioner shall administer the coordination of all employment and training programs in the state and shall implement the plan of the Connecticut Employment and Training Commission as approved by the Governor. The commissioner shall develop and maintain a comprehensive inventory of all employment and training programs in the state, including a listing of all funding sources for each program, the characteristics of the persons served, a description of each program and its results and the identification of areas of program overlap and duplication.

      (c) The commissioner shall provide staff to the Connecticut Employment and Training Commission and such other resources as the commissioner can make available.

      (d) 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.

      (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.)

      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.

      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. 31-3. 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. Reports. (a) To assist the state in attaining maximum economic growth and technological progress while minimizing individual hardship and reducing unemployment, the Labor Commissioner shall: (1) Evaluate the impact of, and benefits and problems created by, automation, technological progress and other changes in the structure of production; evaluate the adequacy of the state's human resources in attaining maximum economic growth for the state; establish techniques and methods for detecting in advance the potential impact of such developments; and prepare recommendations for the solution to these problems; (2) establish a program of factual studies on the state's economy to determine the manpower needs of the state by occupation, by industry and by area, and make recommendations concerning the best methods and techniques to be used to meet such needs; (3) appraise the growing work force in the state to determine the occupational qualifications of its citizens with particular emphasis on young people and on persons displaced by automated processes; compare the manpower needs of the state with the occupational qualifications of its citizens, and prepare plans for the maximum utilization of its citizens; (4) determine those areas, occupations and industries which have need for additional trained workers, and establish preemployment training programs which best meet the needs of business and industry, and of the unemployed. In establishing such programs, the commissioner shall, in cooperation with the Commissioner of Education, use funds from all available federal programs.

      (b) The Labor Commissioner shall, within thirty days after the end of each calendar year, make such reports and recommendations to the Governor as he deems appropriate on manpower requirements, resources, use and training, and on economic developments and trends affecting such items.

      (February, 1965, P.A. 248, S. 1, 2; P.A. 77-614, S. 302, 610.)

      History: P.A. 77-614 replaced the secretary of the state board of education with the commissioner of education, effective January 1, 1979.

      Sec. 31-3b. Manpower training programs. Job training coordinator. Interagency coordinating committee. (a) The Labor Commissioner shall appoint a job training coordinator who shall develop and implement innovative programs which will provide (1) job training for (A) workers who are needed by industries planning to locate in Connecticut or by industries located in this state, (B) unskilled entry level workers, (C) workers in need of retraining due to the obsolescence of their skills and (D) workers who need skill training to qualify for advancement, (2) an incentive for the establishment of apprenticeship programs in selected occupations; provided no program shall be developed for occupations where prior skill or training is not typically a prerequisite to hiring, and (3) work training opportunities and placement of the chronically unemployed under section 31-3d.

      (b) The Labor Commissioner is authorized to establish an interagency program coordinating committee to coordinate the application of all available resources for the purposes of this section. Said committee shall consist of representatives of various employment and training agencies within the Labor Department and representatives of the Department of Education and the Department of Economic and Community Development.

      (c) The Labor Commissioner may contract with any public or private agency for educational and job training services.

      (d) 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.)

      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.

      Sec. 31-3c. Job training program for specific employers. The Labor Commissioner, with the approval of the Commissioners of Economic and Community Development and Education, shall establish a customized job training program for preemployment and postemployment job training for the purpose of meeting the labor requirements of manufacturing or economic base businesses, as defined in subsection (l) of section 32-222*, and shall implement such job training program. Such job training program shall 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. The Labor Commissioner shall use funds appropriated to the Labor Department for vocational and manpower training in carrying out such job training program, except that not more than four per cent of such funds may be used to pay the cost of its administration. Upon receipt of a request for job training pursuant to this section, the Labor Commissioner shall notify the chancellor of the regional community-technical colleges, or his designee, of such request. The chancellor, or his designee, shall determine if a training program exists or can be designed at a regional community-technical college to meet such training need and shall notify the Labor Commissioner of such determination. The Labor Commissioner shall to the extent possible make arrangements for the participation of the regional community-technical colleges, the Connecticut State University System, other institutions of higher education, other postsecondary institutions, adult education programs, opportunities industrialization centers and state regional vocational-technical schools in implementing the program. Nothing in this section shall preclude the Labor Commissioner from considering or choosing other providers to meet such training need. Nothing in this section shall preclude an employer from considering or choosing other providers to meet the training needs of such employer, provided the Labor Commissioner approves such employer's use of such other providers. For the period from July 1, 1996, to June 30, 1999, the Labor Commissioner, or his designee, the chancellor of the community-technical colleges and the chairpersons of the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education shall meet semiannually to review actions taken pursuant to this section and section 32-6j.

      (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.)

      *Note: Former Subsec. (l) of Sec. 32-222 was deleted by section 2 of public act 08-34.

      History: P.A. 77-614 and P.A. 78-303 replaced commissioner of commerce with commissioner of economic development, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 82-218 replaced state colleges with the Connecticut State University pursuant to reorganization of higher education system, effective March 1, 1983; P.A. 89-260 substituted "regional technical colleges" for "state technical colleges"; P.A. 91-256 made a technical change; P.A. 92-126 changed the references to community colleges and technical colleges to reference to community-technical colleges; 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. 96-190 added provisions concerning notification to the chancellor of the regional community-technical colleges, or his designee, and the determination by the chancellor or designee of the availability of a program at a community-technical college, increased the types of institutions the Labor Commissioner is required, to the extent possible, to make arrangements for participation in the program, specified that the Labor Commissioner is not precluded from choosing other providers and added provision for semiannual meetings to review actions taken pursuant to this section and Sec. 32-6j, effective July 1, 1996 (Revisor's note: A reference to "Commissioner of Labor" was changed editorially by the Revisors to "Labor Commissioner" for consistency with customary statutory usage); P.A. 99-236 provided for customized job training for the labor requirements of manufacturing or economic base businesses, provided specifications for such training, provided for participation of opportunities industrialization centers, and added a provision regarding employers choosing other job training providers.

      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. Advisory council. Regulations. (a) The Labor Commissioner shall provide assistance within existing resources to displaced homemakers and access to programs specific to the job training and placement needs of displaced homemakers. The commissioner shall, through the job service office of the Employment Security Division, provide such access to all existing programs and services suitable to the skill development of the applying displaced homemaker. The commissioner shall establish the position of state-wide coordinator of services for displaced homemakers in the Labor Department. For the purposes of this section, a displaced homemaker is an individual who (1) has worked in the home providing unpaid household services for family members, (2) has been dependent on the income of another family member but is no longer supported by that income or is receiving public assistance, and (3) has had or would have difficulty in securing employment sufficient to provide for economic independence.

      (b) Such assistance and program access services shall include, but not be limited to: (1) Vocational counseling and education, (2) assessment of skills, (3) job training for various occupations, including skilled craft and technical vocations for which there is a demand in industry, (4) job placement, (5) assistance with child care and transportation, (6) personal counseling, (7) information and referral, and (8) financial management counseling.

      (c) In providing the appropriate assistance and access to all existing programs deemed suitable, the commissioner shall consider the applicants, with an emphasis on women over the age of thirty-five years, and their need for services based on their: (1) Financial resources, (2) level of marketable skills, (3) ability to speak the English language and (4) area of residence. The commissioner shall refer applicants to the appropriate support services necessary for employment and training.

      (d) The Labor Commissioner shall establish an Advisory Council on Displaced Homemakers and appoint not less than ten nor more than fifteen members, including representatives from the Labor Department, the Departments of Education, Higher Education and Social Services, the Permanent Commission on the Status of Women and providers of assistance and program access services, and such other members as the commissioner deems necessary. The advisory council shall consult with and advise the Labor Commissioner and the state-wide coordinator of services for displaced homemakers as to criteria which shall be used to identify displaced homemakers and determine programs and services appropriate to the skills development of the applying displaced homemaker. The advisory council shall develop specific recommendations for funding multiservice programs which meet the training and job placement needs of displaced homemakers.

      (e) The Labor Commissioner shall adopt regulations in accordance with chapter 54 to implement the provisions of this section. The commissioner shall consider the recommendations of the advisory council in the adoption of such regulations and in further funding requests necessary to provide services for the displaced homemaker population.

      (P.A. 83-371, S. 1, 2; P.A. 85-416, S. 1, 2, 4; P.A. 93-262, S. 60, 87.)

      History: P.A. 85-416 amended Subsec. (a) to require the commissioner to establish the position of state-wide coordinator of services for displaced homemakers and amended Subsec. (d) to require the advisory council to consult with and advise the state-wide coordinator of services for displaced homemakers; P.A. 93-262 replaced reference to departments of income maintenance and human resources with department of social services, effective July 1, 1993; (Revisor's note: In 1997 a reference in Subsec. (d) to "Departments of Labor, Education ..." was changed editorially by the Revisors to "Labor Department, the Departments of Education ..." for consistency with customary statutory usage).

      Sec. 31-3h. Connecticut Employment and Training Commission: Duties. Report. (a) There is created, within the Office of Workforce Competitiveness established under section 4-124w, the Connecticut Employment and Training Commission.

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

      (1) Carrying out the duties and responsibilities of a state job training coordinating council pursuant to the federal Job Training Partnership Act, 29 USC 1532, as amended, a state human resource investment council pursuant to 29 USC 1501 et seq., as amended, and such other related entities as the Governor may direct;

      (2) Reviewing all employment and training programs in the state to determine their success in leading to and obtaining the goal of economic self-sufficiency and to determine if such programs are serving the needs of Connecticut's workers, employers and economy;

      (3) Developing a plan for the coordination of all employment and training programs in the state to avoid duplication and to promote the delivery of comprehensive, individualized employment and training services. The plan shall contain the commission's recommendations for policies and procedures to enhance the coordination and collaboration of all such programs and shall be submitted on June 1, 2000, and annually thereafter, to the Governor for the Governor's approval;

      (4) Reviewing and commenting on all employment and training programs enacted by the General Assembly;

      (5) Implementing the federal Workforce Investment Act of 1998, P.L. 105-220, as from time to time amended. Such implementation shall include (A) developing, in consultation with the regional workforce development boards, a single Connecticut workforce development plan that (i) complies with the provisions of said act and section 31-11p, and (ii) includes comprehensive state performance measures for workforce development activities specified in Title I of the federal Workforce Investment Act of 1998, P.L. 105-220, as from time to time amended, which performance measures comply with the requirements of 20 CFR Part 666.100, (B) preparing and submitting a report on the state's progress in achieving such performance measures to the Governor and the General Assembly annually on January thirty-first, (C) making recommendations to the General Assembly concerning the allocation of funds received by the state under said act and making recommendations to the regional workforce development boards concerning the use of formulas in allocating such funds to adult employment and job training activities and youth activities, as specified in said act, (D) providing oversight and coordination of the state-wide employment statistics system required by said act, (E) as appropriate, recommending to the Governor that the Governor apply for workforce flexibility plans and waiver authority under said act, after consultation with the regional workforce development boards, (F) developing performance criteria for regional workforce development boards to utilize in creating a list of eligible providers, and (G) on or before December 31, 1999, developing a uniform individual training accounts voucher system that shall be used by the regional workforce development boards to pay for training of eligible workers by eligible providers, as required under said act;

      (6) Developing and overseeing a plan for the continuous improvement of the regional workforce development boards established pursuant to section 31-3k;

      (7) Developing incumbent worker, and vocational and manpower training programs, including customized job training programs to enhance the productivity of Connecticut businesses and to increase the skills and earnings of underemployed and at-risk workers, and other programs administered by the regional workforce development boards. The Labor Department, in collaboration with the regional workforce development boards, shall implement any incumbent worker and customized job training programs developed by the commission pursuant to this subdivision; and

      (8) Developing a strategy for providing comprehensive services to eligible youths, which strategy shall include developing youth preapprentice and apprentice programs through, but not limited to, regional vocational-technical schools, and improving linkages between academic and occupational learning and other youth development activities.

      (c) On January 31, 2000, and annually thereafter, the Connecticut Employment and Training Commission shall submit to the Governor and the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to appropriations, education, labor and social services a report on the progress made by the commission in carrying out its duties and responsibilities during the preceding year and the commission's goals and objectives for the current year.

      (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.)

      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.

      Sec. 31-3i. Connecticut Employment and Training Commission: Members. (a) The members of the Connecticut Employment and Training Commission shall be appointed as specified in subsection (b) of this section.

      (b) (1) The commission shall consist of twenty-four members, a majority of whom shall represent business and industry and the remainder of whom shall represent state and local governments, organized labor, education and community based organizations, including a representative of a community action agency, as defined in section 17b-885.

      (2) Effective six months after the United States Secretary of Labor approves the single Connecticut workforce development plan submitted to said secretary in accordance with the provisions of subsection (b) of section 31-11r, the Governor shall fill any vacancy on the commission from recommendations submitted by the president pro tempore of the Senate, the speaker of the House of Representatives, the majority leader of the Senate, the majority leader of the House of Representatives, the minority leader of the Senate and the minority leader of the House of Representatives.

      (c) Members appointed to the commission prior to June 23, 1999, shall continue to serve on the commission as if they were appointed to the commission as of June 23, 1999. The commission shall meet no less than once every calendar quarter.

      (P.A. 89-292, S. 2, 6; P.A. 97-263, S. 2; P.A. 99-195, S. 3, 15.)

      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.

      Sec. 31-3j. Regional work force development boards: Definitions. As used in sections 31-3j to 31-3r, inclusive:

      (1) "Board" means a regional work force development board established under section 31-3k;

      (2) "Commission" means the Connecticut Employment and Training Commission created under section 31-3h;

      (3) "Commissioner" means the Labor Commissioner;

      (4) "Job Training Partnership Act" means the federal Job Training Partnership Act, 29 USC 1501 et seq., as from time to time amended;

      (5) "Municipality" means a town, city, borough, consolidated town and city or consolidated town and borough;

      (6) "Work force development region" or "region" means an area designated as a service delivery area in accordance with the provisions of the Job Training Partnership Act.

      (P.A. 92-145, S. 1, 10.)

      Sec. 31-3k. Regional work force development boards: Duties and responsibilities. (a) There is established within the Labor Department a regional work force development board for each work force development region in the state. Each board shall 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 and shall be responsive to the needs of local business, industry, the region, its municipalities and its citizens.

      (b) Each board, within its region, shall:

      (1) Carry out the duties and responsibilities of a private industry council under the Job Training Partnership Act, provided the private industry council within the region elects by a vote of its members to become a board and the Labor Commissioner approves the council as a regional work force development board.

      (2) Within existing resources and consistent with the state employment and training information system and any guidelines issued by the commissioner under subsection (b) of section 31-2, and with the annual plan developed by the commission under section 31-3h and approved by the Governor, (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) prepare and submit an annual plan containing the board's priorities and goals for regional employment and training programs to the commissioner and the commission for their review and approval, (F) review grant proposals and plans submitted to state agencies for employment and training programs that directly affect the region to determine whether such proposals and plans are consistent with the annual regional plan prepared under subparagraph (E) of this subdivision and inform the commission and each state agency concerned of the results of the review, (G) evaluate the effectiveness of employment and training programs within the region in meeting the goals contained in the annual regional plan prepared under subparagraph (E) of this subdivision and report its findings to the commissioner and the commission on an annual basis, (H) ensure the effective use of available employment and training resources in the region, and (I) allocate funds where applicable for program operations in the region.

      (3) Provide information to the commissioner concerning (A) all employment and training programs, grants or funds to be effective or available in the region in the following program year, (B) the source and purpose of such programs, grants or funds, (C) the projected amount of such programs, grants or funds, (D) persons, organizations and institutions eligible to participate in such programs or receive such grants or funds, (E) characteristics of clients eligible to receive services pursuant to such programs, grants or funds, (F) the range of services available pursuant to such programs, grants or funds, (G) goals of such programs, grants or funds, (H) where applicable, schedules for submitting requests for proposals, planning instructions, proposals and plans, in connection with such programs, grants or funds, (I) the program period for such programs, grants or funds, and (J) any other data relating to such programs, grants or funds that the commissioner or the commission deems essential for effective state planning.

      (4) Carry out the duties and responsibilities of the local board for purposes of the federal Workforce Investment Act of 1998, P.L. 105-220, as from time to time amended.

      (5) Establish a worker training education committee comprised of persons from the education and business communities within the region, including, but not limited to, regional community-technical colleges and regional vocational-technical schools.

      (c) Each board shall make use of grants or contracts with appropriate service providers to furnish all program services under sections 31-3j to 31-3r, inclusive, unless the commission 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 include in the annual regional plan submitted to the commissioner and the commission under subparagraph (E) of subdivision (2) of subsection (b) of this section its plan to provide services directly and appropriate justification for the need to do so. When the decision to provide services directly must be made between annual planning cycles, the board shall submit to the commissioner and the commission 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 commission.

      (d) On October 1, 2002, and annually thereafter, each board shall submit to the Office of Workforce Competitiveness 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 the federal Workforce Investment Act of 1998, P.L. 105-220, as from time to time amended. Such performance measures shall include, but shall not be limited to, the identity and performance of any vendor that enters into a contract with the board to conduct, manage or assist with such programs or activities, the costs associated with such programs or activities, the number, gender and race of persons served by such programs or activities, the number, gender and race of persons completing such programs or activities, occupational skill types, the number, gender and race of persons who enter unsubsidized employment upon completion of such programs or activities, the number, gender and race of persons who remain in unsubsidized employment six months later and the earnings received by such persons.

      (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.)

      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".

      Sec. 31-3l. Regional work force 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 private industry council as provided under the Job Training Partnership Act and the requirements of the federal Workforce Investment Act of 1998, P.L. 105-220, as from time to time amended. To the extent consistent with such requirements: (1) Business members shall constitute a majority of each board and shall include owners of businesses, chief executives or chief operating officers of nongovernmental employers, or other business executives who have substantial management or policy responsibilities. Whenever possible, at least one-half of the business and industry members shall be representatives of small businesses, including minority businesses; (2) the nonbusiness members shall include representatives of community-based organizations, state and local organized labor, state and municipal government, human service agencies, economic development agencies and regional community-technical colleges and other educational institutions, including secondary and postsecondary institutions and regional vocational technical schools; (3) the nonbusiness representatives shall be selected by the appointing authority from among individuals nominated by the commissioner and the organizations, agencies, institutions and groups set forth in subdivisions (2) and (5) of this section, and each appointing authority shall solicit nominations from the commissioner and the organizations, agencies, institutions and groups set forth in subdivisions (2) and (5) of this section; (4) labor representatives shall be selected from individuals recommended by recognized state and local labor federations in a manner consistent with the federal Job Training Partnership Act and the federal Workforce Investment Act of 1998, P.L. 105-220, as from time to time amended; (5) the board shall represent the interests of a broad segment of the population of the region, including the interests of welfare recipients, persons with disabilities, veterans, dislocated workers, younger and older workers, women, minorities and displaced homemakers; and (6) in each region where a private industry council has elected by a vote of its members to become a regional work force development board and the commissioner has approved the council as a board, the initial membership of each board shall include, but not be limited to, the business members of the private industry council in the region.

      (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.)

      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.

      Sec. 31-3m. Agencies involved in employment and training. Duties and responsibilities. Not later than July 1, 1992, and annually thereafter, 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: (1) Not later than August 15, 1992, and annually thereafter, identify the employment and training programs administered by the agency that shall be subject to oversight by one or more boards under the provisions of sections 31-3j to 31-3r, inclusive; and (2) provide to the commissioner, for distribution to the boards through the commission, information concerning (A) all employment and training programs, grants or funds to be effective or available in the following program year, (B) the source and purpose of such programs, grants or funds, (C) the projected amount of such programs, grants or funds, (D) persons, organizations and institutions eligible to participate in such programs or receive such grants or funds, (E) characteristics of clients eligible to receive services pursuant to such programs, grants or funds, (F) the range of services available pursuant to such programs, grants or funds, (G) goals of such programs, grants or funds, (H) where applicable, schedules for submitting requests for proposals, planning instructions, proposals and plans, in connection with such programs, grants or funds, (I) the program period for such programs, grants or funds, and (J) any other data relating to such programs, grants or funds that the commissioner or the commission deems essential for effective regional planning.

      (P.A. 92-145, S. 4, 10.)

      Sec. 31-3n. Regulations. Duties of Labor Commissioner. (a) The commissioner, in consultation with the commission, shall adopt regulations in accordance with chapter 54 to carry out the provisions of sections 31-3j to 31-3r, inclusive. The regulations shall establish criteria for the organization and operation of the board and for ensuring that the membership of each board satisfies the requirements of section 31-3l.

      (b) The commissioner, acting through the commission, shall facilitate communication and exchange of information between the boards and state agencies involved in employment and training.

      (c) The commissioner shall distribute all information received under the provisions of sections 31-3j to 31-3r, inclusive, to the commission in order to ensure that the review and coordination duties of the commission are effectively carried out.

      (d) The commissioner shall submit each annual regional plan prepared pursuant to subparagraph (E) of subdivision (2) of subsection (b) of section 31-3k, together with the recommendations of the commissioner and the commission, to the Governor for final approval.

      (e) The commissioner shall approve, in consultation with the commission, each board established pursuant to section 31-3k which meets the requirements of sections 31-3j to 31-3r, inclusive.

      (P.A. 92-145, S. 5, 10; P.A. 93-134, S. 3.)

      History: P.A. 93-134 added Subsec. (e) to require commissioner's approval of regional work force development boards.

      Sec. 31-3o. Duties of the Connecticut Employment and Training Commission. (a) The commission shall review and approve each annual regional plan prepared pursuant to subparagraph (E) of subdivision (2) of subsection (b) of section 31-3k.

      (b) The commission shall ensure that the membership of each board satisfies the representation requirements of section 31-3l and regulations adopted by the commissioner under section 31-3n.

      (c) The commission, in developing the annual plan for the coordination of all employment and training programs in the state under section 31-3h, shall review and consider the annual report of each board evaluating the effectiveness of employment and training programs, prepared pursuant to subparagraph (G) of subdivision (2) of subsection (b) of section 31-3k.

      (P.A. 92-145, S. 6, 10.)

      Sec. 31-3p. Grant proposal or plan inconsistent with annual regional plan of regional work force development board. Procedures. In any case where a board, after review, determines that a grant proposal or plan submitted to a state agency involved in employment and training is inconsistent with the board's annual regional plan prepared pursuant to subparagraph (E) of subdivision (2) of subsection (b) of section 31-3k, the board shall notify the agency in writing of its determination and may request a response from the agency. The agency, if so requested, shall respond to the inconsistency noted by the board and shall make every effort to resolve the issues involved. If such issues cannot be resolved to the satisfaction of the board, the board may appeal to the commission. The commission shall review the subject matter of the appeal and recommend a resolution to the commissioner, who shall render an opinion consistent with applicable state and federal law.

      (P.A. 92-145, S. 7, 10; P.A. 93-134, S. 4.)

      History: P.A. 93-134 required commission to review subject matter of appeals and recommend to the labor commissioner resolutions for inconsistencies between state grant proposals or plans re job training and regional work force development board job training plans.

      Sec. 31-3q. State employment and training programs. All state employment and training programs shall be consistent with any guidelines issued by the commissioner under subsection (b) of section 31-2 and the annual plan for the coordination of all employment and training programs in the state developed by the commission and approved by the Governor under section 31-3h.

      (P.A. 92-145, S. 8, 10.)

      Sec. 31-3r. Construction or administration not to conflict with the Job Training Partnership Act or supersede statutory duties. Nothing in sections 31-3j to 31-3r, inclusive, shall be construed or administered in any manner that would conflict with the requirements of the Job Training Partnership 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.)

      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. (a) The Commissioner of Economic and Community Development may allocate the funds authorized for the purposes of this section by subsection (b) of section 32-235 to the Labor Commissioner for the purpose of providing assistance to employers (1) for the job training or retraining of (A) current employees or (B) prospective employees in newly-created jobs and (2) including, but not limited to, meeting ISO 9000 quality standards. The Labor Commissioner, upon the recommendation of the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development, shall provide for such training or retraining through customized job training programs authorized under this chapter. The Labor Commissioner may use vouchers for the purposes of this subsection.

      (b) The Labor Commissioner and the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development shall jointly develop criteria for the evaluation and assessment of the assistance provided under subsection (a) of this section.

      (c) The Labor Commissioner, in consultation with the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development, shall submit an annual report to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to the Department of Economic and Community Development and the Labor Department on the assistance provided under subsection (a) of this section.

      (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.)

      History: P.A. 93-394 effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 94-193 corrected an incorrect reference in Subsec. (a) to "chapter 566" to read "chapter 556"; i.e. "this chapter"; 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 (Revisor's note: The phrase "Department of Economic and Community Development and Labor" was replaced editorially by the Revisors with "Department of Economic and Community Development and the Labor Department" both for grammatical accuracy and consistency with customary statutory usage).

      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, maintain 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 Connecticut Employment and Training Commission established pursuant to section 31-3h and the regional workforce development boards established pursuant to section 31-3k;

      (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 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.

      (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.)

      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.

      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.

      Sec. 31-3y. Self-employment assistance: Definitions. (a) As used in this section:

      (1) "Administrator" means the Labor Commissioner in his capacity as administrator of unemployment compensation under chapter 567;

      (2) "Self-employment assistance activities" means activities, including entrepreneurial training, business counseling and technical assistance, approved by the administrator, in which an individual identified through the worker profiling system established under section 31-235 as likely to exhaust regular benefits participates for the purpose of establishing a business and becoming self-employed;

      (3) "Self-employment assistance allowance" means an allowance payable in lieu of regular benefits and from the Unemployment Fund established under section 31-261 to an individual participating in self-employment assistance activities who meets the requirements of this section;

      (4) "Regular benefits" means benefits payable to an individual under chapter 567, including benefits payable to federal civilian employees and ex-service members but excluding additional and extended benefits; and

      (5) "Full-time basis" shall have the meaning contained in regulations adopted by the administrator pursuant to section 31-3z.

      (b) The weekly allowance payable under this section to an individual shall be equal to the weekly benefit amount of regular benefits otherwise payable under section 31-231a. The sum of the allowance paid under this section and regular benefits paid with respect to any benefit year shall not exceed the maximum benefit amount established by section 31-231b with respect to such benefit year.

      (c) The self-employment assistance allowance shall be payable to an individual at the same intervals, on the same terms, and subject to the same conditions as regular benefits, except that:

      (1) The requirements of section 31-235 and subsection (a)(1) of section 31-236 concerning availability for work, active search for work and refusal to accept work shall not apply to such individual;

      (2) The requirements of section 31-229 concerning self-employment income shall not apply to income earned from such individual's self-employment;

      (3) An individual who meets the requirements of this section shall be considered unemployed pursuant to sections 31-227 and 31-228; and

      (4) An individual who fails to participate in self-employment assistance activities or who fails actively to engage, on a full-time basis, in activities, which may include training, relating to the establishment of a business and becoming self-employed shall be disqualified from receiving benefits for the week such failure occurs.

      (d) The total number of individuals receiving self-employment assistance allowances under this section shall not, at any time, exceed five per cent of the number of individuals receiving regular benefits.

      (e) Allowances paid under this section shall be charged to employers pursuant to chapter 567 in the same manner as regular benefits.

      (f) This section shall apply to weekly allowances payable under this section for any week succeeding July 1, 1994, or to weekly allowances payable under this section commencing after any plan required by the United States Department of Labor is approved by such department, whichever is later. The authority provided in this section shall terminate as of the end of the week preceding the date federal law ceases to authorize the provisions of this section, unless such date is a Saturday, in which case, the authority shall terminate as of such date.

      (P.A. 94-116, S. 16, 28.)

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

      Sec. 31-3z. Regulations. The administrator shall adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, for the administration of the self-employment assistance pilot program established pursuant to section 31-3y. The regulations shall prescribe procedures for assuring that the limitations on the total number of participants specified in subsection (c) of said section are met.

      (P.A. 94-116, S. 17, 28.)

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

      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. On or before October 1, 1998, and annually thereafter, the Connecticut Employment and Training Commission shall submit to the Office of Policy and Management and the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to employment and training a report card of each program emphasizing employment placement included in the commission's annual inventory. The report card shall, at a minimum, identify for each program the cost, number of individuals entering the program, number of individuals satisfactorily completing the program and the employment placement rates of those individuals at thirteen and twenty-six-week intervals following completion of the program or a statement as to why such measure is not relevant.

      (P.A. 97-263, S. 3.)

      Sec. 31-3cc. Collection and analysis of data re gender and other bias in training programs. The Connecticut Employment and Training Commission, in cooperation with the Permanent Commission on the Status of Women 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.)

      Sec. 31-3dd. Recommendation re budget targets. The Connecticut Employment and Training Commission, in consultation with the Labor Department, the Department of Economic and Community Development and the regional workforce development boards, shall recommend to the Office of Policy and Management and the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to appropriations, budget targets for assisting state employers with their training needs.

      (P.A. 97-263, S. 5.)

      Sec. 31-3ee. Pilot program for TFA recipients. Report on pilot program for TFA recipients. (a) Within available appropriations for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2000, and the next two successive fiscal years, the Labor Department, in cooperation with the regional workforce development boards, shall establish a two-year pilot program for recipients of temporary family assistance to: (1) Expand work-study opportunities for such recipients; (2) expand child care programs for such recipients; and (3) establish a competitive grant program that awards grants to providers of innovative short courses, flexible class schedules, "contextual learning" curricula related to job skills, innovative distance learning or on-site learning initiatives, including, but not limited to, employers, community-technical colleges, vocational-technical schools, local or regional boards of education or regional educational service centers that offer adult education programs and community-based education and training providers.

      (b) Not later than July 1, 1999, the Labor Commissioner shall submit a status report on the establishment and on any operation of the pilot program authorized under this section to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to appropriations, human services and labor and public employees.

      (P.A. 98-169, S. 4, 8.)

      History: P.A. 98-169 effective July 1, 1998.

      Sec. 31-3ff. Job Training Partnership Act payments. All payments made from the Job Training Partnership Act (JPTA) in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2000, are deemed to be expenditures from appropriated funds authorized by public or special act of the General Assembly.

      (P.A. 00-192, S. 30, 102.)

      History: P.A. 00-192 effective July 1, 2000.

      Sec. 31-3gg. One-stop centers. (a) In addition to the required partners identified in Section 121(b)(1) of the federal Workforce Investment Act of 1998, P.L. 105-220, 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 Investment Act of 1998, P.L. 105-220, 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.)

      Sec. 31-3hh. Regional workforce development board contracts. Regulations. The Labor Commissioner, in consultation with the Connecticut Employment and Training Commission and the regional workforce development boards established pursuant to section 31-3k, shall adopt regulations in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 setting forth standard contract provisions that shall be included in each contract (1) entered into by a regional workforce development board with any public or private entity, including, but not limited to, an eligible provider, as defined in section 31-11l, for the provision of education, employment or job training programs, activities or services, and (2) funded by state or federal moneys allocated to a regional workforce development board, including, but not limited to, funds received under the Workforce Investment Act of 1998, P.L. 105-220, as from time to time amended.

      (P.A. 01-156, S. 1, 2.)

      History: P.A. 01-156 effective July 6, 2001.

      Sec. 31-3ii. Adult education pilot program for incumbent workers. Report. (a) Within available appropriations, for the fiscal years ending June 30, 2004, to June 30, 2006, inclusive, the Connecticut Employment and Training Commission, in cooperation with a consenting regional workforce development board, shall establish a pilot program that allows such board to use funds allocated to such board to expand an existing adult education program at a local or regional board of education within such regional workforce development board's region to enable incumbent workers to participate in such adult education program. For purposes of this section, "incumbent workers" means individuals who are employed in this state, but who are in need of additional skills, training or education in order to upgrade employment.

      (b) Not later than January 1, 2007, the commission shall submit a report, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a, to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to higher education and employment advancement and education on the establishment and any operation of the pilot program authorized under subsection (a) of this section.

      (P.A. 03-102, S. 1.)

      History: P.A. 03-102 effective July 1, 2003.

      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. Any funds appropriated to the Labor Department for incumbent worker training programs shall be administered by regional workforce development boards.

      (P.A. 06-83, S. 21.)

      History: P.A. 06-83 effective July 1, 2006.

      Sec. 31-3ll. Twenty-First Century Skills Training Program. Regulations. (a) The Labor Commissioner, in consultation with the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development and the Commissioner of Education, shall, within available appropriations, establish and operate the Twenty-First Century Skills 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) 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.)

      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.

      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. The Connecticut Employment and Training Commission, in collaboration with the Connecticut Energy Sector Partnership, shall annually solicit and publicize information concerning efforts made by the institutions of higher education in this state to promote the green technology industry, including the development of new academic degree and certificate programs, courses of instruction and initiatives made by such institutions to align green jobs programs with employer needs.

      (P.A. 10-156, S. 2.)

      See Sec. 10a-55d re definitions.

      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 fined not more than one hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than one year or both.

      (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.)

      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.

      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. There shall continue to be a Department of Factory Inspection under the management of the Labor Commissioner. Said commissioner may appoint or remove from office a Deputy Commissioner of Factory Inspection. Said commissioner shall keep, in books provided by the Comptroller, copies of all notices and orders given by him and a record of all inspections and examinations. Said commissioner shall, by himself or a representative, as often as practicable, examine all buildings and places where machinery is used, and may enter such buildings and places at all proper times for the purposes of inspection. He shall include in the report required by section 4-60 a report of the condition, as respects safety of life and health, of the factories, buildings and places visited.

      (1949 Rev., S. 3746; September, 1957, P.A. 11, S. 13.)

      See Sec. 29-244 re failure to post valid operating certificate.

      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.