Senator Flexer Commends House Passage Of Legislation Raising The Age To Purchase Tobacco Products To 21

Posted on May 17, 2019 by Webmaster

Senator Flexer Commends House Passage Of Legislation Raising The Age To Purchase Tobacco Products To 21

HARTFORD, CT – Today, the House of Representatives passed a bill that would raise the age to purchase tobacco products from 18 to 21. The bill passed by a bipartisan vote of 124-22. Senator Mae Flexer (D-Danielson) praised the passage of the bill.

“Everyone knows that there are many life-long health effects and risks that come with smoking cigarettes and tobacco products,” said Senator Flexer. “Younger students often have access to cigarettes and other tobacco products through 18-to-21 year olds. Raising the age of purchase from 18 to 21 will make these products less available to younger children and will reduce their risk of becoming exposed or addicted to nicotine. This is a critical public health initiative and I’m eager to debate this bill and pass it in the Senate.”

House Bill No. 7200, “An Act Prohibiting the Sale of Cigarettes, Tobacco Products, Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems and Vapor Products to Persons Under Age Twenty-One,” raises the point of sale for tobacco products from 18 to 21, with penalties ranging from fines to mandated education and suspension of business licenses for violators. In a show of bipartisan support, 86 Senators and Representatives have co-sponsored the legislation. If it is made law, Connecticut would become the twelfth state, in addition to the District of Columbia, to raise the age of access to 21.

The bill now awaits a vote by the Senate.

Alex Bergstein Hails Passage of “Time’s Up” Sexual Harassment Bill

Posted on May 17, 2019 by Webmaster

Alex Bergstein Hails Passage of “Time’s Up” Sexual Harassment Bill

HARTFORD – Today, the Connecticut State Senate passed Senate Bill 3, “An Act Combatting Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment.” Also referred to as the “Time’s Up” bill, this legislation increases certain sexual harassment penalties, extends the time limits people have to file lawsuits for sexual assault, allows more time for criminal prosecution of sexual assault, and requires more employer-sponsored sexual harassment training.

The bill passed the Senate on a unanimous and bipartisan 35-0 vote and now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.

“Today we’ve taken an important step toward achieving a more safe and equitable state,” said State Senator Alex Bergstein (D-Greenwich). “This bill recognizes that victims of sexual assault have many reasons for not coming forward right away – including shame, trauma and fear. I’m proud to be part of this effort to achieve justice for victims of sexual assault and to prevent these crimes altogether.”

Statutes of Limitations for Criminal Cases of Sexual Assault

Compared to other states and the District of Columbia, Connecticut’s statute of limitations for rape of an adult — five years — is one of the shortest in the country. Forty-five states and the District of Columbia have no statute of limitations for rape or a limit longer than Connecticut’s.

Senate Bill 3 would extend our existing statute of limitations for sexual assault crimes from five years to 20 years for Class B, C, and D felony sexual assault (e.g., forced rape, rape by drugs, forced sexual contact). For a non-felony (e.g. unwanted sexual contact, and other class A misdemeanors), the statute of limitations would extend from one year to 10 years. In each of these cases, if the victim is 18, 19, or 20, the statute of limitations is 30 years following the victim’s 21st birthday, effectively the victim’s 51st birthday.

Statutes of Limitations for Civil Cases of Sexual Assault

In addition, Senate Bill 3 makes changes to the statute of limitations for civil cases of sexual assault. Currently the statute of limitations for a victim under 18 is the victim’s 48th birthday. Under the bill, the statute of limitations for a victim under 21 is the victim’s 51st birthday. This is a significant change for those victims aged 18, 19, and 20 who currently must bring claims within the default statute of limitations for torts, which is 3 years.

Workplace Discrimination and Sexual Harassment

Currently, employers with only 50 or more employees are required to provide at least two hours of training on sexual harassment to supervisory employees within six months of their employment. Senate Bill 3 requires employers with three or more employees to provide training to all employees, not just supervisors. The bill requires the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities to make training materials available online. Employers may then use these resources to comply with the training requirement.

Senator Maroney Applauds Passage of Democrats’ “TIME’S UP” Sexual Harassment Bill

Posted on May 17, 2019 by Webmaster

Senator Maroney Applauds Passage of
Democrats’ “TIME’S UP” Sexual Harassment Bill

HARTFORD, CT – Today, state Senator James Maroney (D-Milford) applauded the bipartisan passage of Senate Bill 3, “An Act Combatting Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment,” by a unanimous vote. Also referred to as the “Time’s Up” bill, this legislation would increase certain sexual harassment penalties, extend the time limits people have to file lawsuits for sexual assault, allow more time for criminal prosecution of sexual assault, and require more employer-sponsored sexual harassment training.

“Today, we took a major step in the right direction,” said Sen. Maroney. “Sexual assault survivors deserve justice and our current statute of limitations for criminal cases of sexual assault fails to go far enough to ensure justice in these cases. I am specifically pleased to see the statute of limitations for sexual assault crimes against minors eliminated. The long-term effect of sexual assault impacts survivors and their families and in these instances it could take years before survivors feel safe and comfortable coming forward. We cannot deny them the justice and healing they are entitled to because they did not come forward sooner. I am hopeful the state House of Representatives will advance this legislation and Governor Ned Lamont will sign this important piece of legislation into law.

Statutes of Limitations for Criminal Cases of Sexual Assault

Under current law, the most serious sexual assault crimes committed against minors are class A felonies and there is no statute of limitations for these crimes. But, for all other felonies and misdemeanor sexual assault committed against a minor, the current statute of limitations is 5 years from when the crime is reported, but no later than the victim’s 48th birthday. This bill would eliminate the statute of limitations for all sexual assault crimes committed against a minor.

Statutes of Limitations for Civil Cases of Sexual Assault

Workplace Discrimination and Sexual Harassment

The bill now awaits a vote by the House of Representatives.

Senator Hartley Leads Senate Passage Of Bill Advertising Connecticut As A Bioscience Epicenter

Posted on May 17, 2019 by Webmaster

Senator Hartley Leads Senate Passage Of Bill Advertising Connecticut As A Bioscience Epicenter

HARTFORD, CT – Today, State Senator Joan Hartley (D-Waterbury), Senate Chair of the Commerce Committee, led the Senate’s passage of a bill that would use Connecticut Innovations Inc. resources to promote Connecticut as a bioscience epicenter. This legislation would create a marketing campaign to emphasize the strengths of the state bioscience industry to prospective businesses.

“There are 39,000 people employed in the bioscience industry in our state,” said Sen. Hartley, “working for 2,500 companies. This is a competitive sector, and Connecticut has planted a flag to show it’s an industry leader. This marketing campaign will broadcast our success in this field and help us draw even more business to Connecticut, pushing our economy forward, all with no fiscal impact to the state.”

Senate Bill No. 1026, “An Act Establishing Certain Incentives to Grow the Bioscience Industry in the State,” would have Connecticut Innovations, Inc. and partners create a marketing, social media and Internet campaign promoting Connecticut as a bioscience hub, with work to begin by February 2020.

This legislation received support from Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner David Lehman as well as the University of Connecticut, both of whom supported the notion of growing Connecticut’s bioscience industry.

“Connecticut should continue to build on the strategic investments that it has made in this sector in order to keep the momentum going and to leverage and promote Connecticut’s existing strengths and assets to ensure that we remain in the forefront as this industry develops and evolves,” read testimony from Carla Curran, speaking on behalf of the University.

Senator Needleman Joins Democrats In Raising Connecticut’s Minimum Wage

Posted on May 17, 2019 by Webmaster

Senator Needleman Joins Democrats In Raising Connecticut’s Minimum Wage

HARTFORD, CT – Early this morning, State Senator Norm Needleman (D-Essex) joined the Senate Democrats to approve a bill designed to raise Connecticut’s hourly minimum wage to $15 an hour in five yearly steps by June 1, 2023 – a change that will benefit a third of a million state residents, or nearly a third of Connecticut’s workforce.

“As a business owner, I’ve thought long and hard about this issue, and I decided it was important enough to bring up the lowest-level pay for employees because I believe getting people to a higher wage is critical for the health and welfare for the State of Connecticut. It’s the fair thing to do,” said state Senator Norm Needleman (D-Essex), who is the owner of Tower Laboratories, which is headquartered in Essex and which employs 150 people in Connecticut. “There may be unintended consequences, but I believe the good outweighs the bad. I wish the minimum wage had been indexed since I entered the workforce so we wouldn’t be dealing with an abrupt change right now. I suspect the minimum wage would be significantly higher had we done that, and we wouldn’t be fighting this battle right now. I’m glad this bill addresses that going forward.”

House Bill 5004, “AN ACT INCREASING THE MINIMUM FAIR WAGE,” increases Connecticut’s hourly minimum wage from the current $10.10 per hour to:

$11.00 on October 1, 2019
$12.00 on September 1, 2020
$13.00 on August 1, 2021
$14.00 on July 1, 2022
and $15.00 on June 1, 2023

After June 1, 2023, the bill would index Connecticut’s hourly minimum wage to changes in the federal Employment Cost Index.

The bill freezes employers’ shares of “tip credits,” which allow employers to count employee tips as a percentage of their minimum wage requirement, though it also requires tip credit value to increase and cover the difference between employers’ shares and minimum wage increases. Additionally, it changes the “training wage” for youth, eliminating a standard allowing employers to pay as low as 85 percent of the minimum wage for learners and beginners. The training wage now only applies to people under the age of 18, and is limited to the first 90 days of minors’ employment, rather than 200 hours.

Once the bill is passed and signed into law by Governor Lamont, the first minimum wage increase will take effect on October 1 of this year.

Sen. Bradley Supports Senate Passage of Bill to Raise Connecticut’s Minimum Wage

Posted on May 17, 2019 by Webmaster

Sen. Bradley Supports Senate Passage of Bill to Raise Connecticut’s Minimum Wage

HARTFORD, CT – Today, state Senator Dennis Bradley (D-Bridgeport) applauded the passage of a bill designed to raise Connecticut’s hourly minimum wage to $15 an hour in five yearly steps by June 1, 2023 – a change that will benefit a third of a million state residents, or nearly a third of Connecticut’s workforce.

The legislation passed by a 21-14 vote and now awaits a signature from Governor Ned Lamont to become law. The bill previously passed the state House of Representatives by an 85-59 vote.

After June 1, 2023, the bill would index Connecticut’s hourly minimum wage to changes in the federal Employment Cost Index. The first minimum wage increase will take effect on October 1 of this year.

“This is about looking out for working Connecticut families and making sure that we provide them the ability to advance financially,” said Sen. Bradley. “This is about equity and paying hard working people a fair wage. This legislation makes sure that capitalism in Connecticut continues to prosper and that Connecticut workers receive what is rightfully theirs.”

Increasing the minimum wage to $15 an hour is a popular public policy with Connecticut residents: an August 2018 Quinnipiac University poll of more than 1,000 Connecticut residents found that nearly two-thirds (63%) support increasing the minimum wage to $15 an hour, including 73% of women, 67% of people over age 67, 65% of people ages 18-24, 56% of unaffiliated voters, and 33% of Republicans.

SUMMARY:

House Bill 5004, “AN ACT INCREASING THE MINIMUM FAIR WAGE,” increases Connecticut’s hourly minimum wage from the current $10.10 per hour to:

$11.00 on October 1, 2019
$12.00 on September 1, 2020
$13.00 on August 1, 2021
$14.00 on July 1, 2022
$15.00 on June 1, 2023

Tip Credit:

The new minimum wage bill freezes the employer’s share of these employees’ minimum wage requirement at their current values ($6.38 for hotel and restaurant staff, and $8.23 for bartenders), but the bill also requires the tip credit’s value to correspondingly increase to make up for the difference between the employer’s share and the bill’s minimum wage increases. Thus, it allows employers to count these employees’ tips towards the difference between the employer’s share and the increasing minimum wage, as long as the tips make up the difference.

Training / Youth Wage:

Today’s minimum wage bill also addresses the issue of so-called training or youth wages. Starting October 1, 2019, the bill changes the “training wage” that employers may pay to learners, beginners, and people under age 18. Current state law generally allows employers to pay these employees as low as 85% of the regular minimum wage for their first 200 hours of employment. Today’s bill eliminates the training wage exceptions for learners and beginners, and now limits the training wage only to people under age 18 (except for emancipated minors.) Thus, today’s bill requires learners and beginners who are at least age 18 to be paid the full minimum wage.

Today’s bill also requires the training wage to be the greater of $10.10 or 85% of the minimum wage, and it allows employers to pay the training wage to people under age 18 for the first 90 days, rather than 200 hours, of their employment.

ECI Indexing:

Starting on January 1, 2024, and on each January 1 every year after that, the bill requires the minimum wage to be adjusted by the percent change in the federal Employment Cost Index (ECI) for all civilian workers’ wages and salaries over the 12-month period ending on June 30 of the preceding year, as calculated by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics.

A history of the ECI can be found here: https://www.bls.gov/ncs/ncspubs.htm#tabs-2

Sen. Bradley Supports Senate Passage of Bill to Raise Connecticut’s Minimum Wage (2)

Posted on May 17, 2019 by Webmaster

Sen. Bradley Joins LT Governor Bysiewicz to Urge
Women and Women of Color to Choose Careers in the Connecticut State Police

MERIDEN, CT – As the deadline to apply for the Connecticut State Police approaches, state Senator Dennis Bradley (D-Bridgeport) joined Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz and the state’s public safety leaders, including Colonel Stavros Mellekas and Deputy Commissioner Regina Rush-Kittle to urge women across the state to choose careers in state police.

“There are skills, intangibles and attributes women and women of color contribute that are priceless and ensure the safety and protection of Connecticut’s citizens,” said Sen. Bradley, co-chair of the Public Safety and Security Committee. “I commend these state troopers for their efforts to further increase racial diversity and women participation. I implore anyone who wishes to serve and protect the good people of our state to go online and apply to be a Connecticut state trooper.”

“Government should look like the people it represents and that should be at all levels, including our State Police,” Lt. Governor Bysiewicz said. “These careers are demanding but they’re also very rewarding and they are good paying jobs with great benefits. If you are a woman who is interested in law enforcement, criminal justice, in helping the community and protecting our great state, then I encourage you to apply to the Connecticut State Police.”

The Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP), Division of State Police is currently accepting applications to establish a pool of qualified applicants to fill future vacant State Police Trooper Trainee positions across the state. Under the leadership of Colonel Stavros Mellekas, the department has been running a proactive recruiting campaign since April 15, which included a “Women in Policing” Information Session that attracted nearly 100 women.

“We want our recruiting efforts to yield plenty of applicants who will make our police force stronger,” Col. Mellekas said. “As of today, 459 women have applied for the 2019 State Police Trooper Trainee class. Those women have done their homework and they are ready to join our team. They know that there is no career more rewarding than police service and that the possibilities for advancement in our department are endless. We already have a great team of professional female troopers who are willing and eager to answer any questions applicants may have and we encourage anyone who is interested in learning more to contact us.”

Regina Rush-Kittle who serves as the Deputy Commissioner of the Connecticut Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security is a trailblazer for women in the public safety field. She started her law enforcement career in 1983 with the Connecticut Department of Correction. In 1985, she was hired by the Middletown Police Department as a patrol officer. Two years later, she was hired by the Connecticut State Police, where she rose through the ranks becoming a sergeant, lieutenant, major, and the first female commanding officer of a barracks and district.

“Given the opportunity to start over again, I would choose the same career path,” said Deputy Commissioner Rush-Kittle. “It has been said that law enforcement is a calling and I answered that call several times but the best opportunities were presented to me when I joined the Connecticut State Police. Women add a different perspective to law enforcement. Diversity and inclusion is important and it’s important at all levels within an agency from entry level positions to management positions.”

“Like many other women, I never pictured a career in law enforcement,” said Trooper First Class Kelly Grant. “My plan was to become a social worker but here I am 23 years later, still doing the job I love and encouraging other women to do the same. While it may seem impossible to wear so many hats, it is possible to be a wife, mother, daughter, or a sister and to be a Connecticut State Trooper. It’s also very important for women and girls to see someone who looks like them— especially in male dominated professions—in order to picture themselves doing those same jobs.”

The Connecticut State Police offers numerous Career Opportunities across the state, with opportunities for promotional advancement and geographic transfers. Adding to the attractive locations and upward mobility are excellent compensation and benefits including a full health benefits package, along with additional supplemental benefits and a 25-year Hazardous Duty Retirement.

The agency seeks trustworthy, motivated, driven individuals who are able to work well on their own as well as in a team environment. The department strives to provide superior public safety services for Connecticut and achieve them through its mission. DESPP is committed to protecting and improving the quality of life for all by providing a broad range of public safety services, training, regulatory guidance and scientific services utilizing enforcement, prevention, education and state of the art science and technology.

Sen. Lesser Supports Senate Passage of Bill to Raise Connecticut’s Minimum Wage

Posted on May 17, 2019 by Webmaster

Sen. Lesser Supports Senate Passage of Bill to Raise Connecticut’s Minimum Wage

HARTFORD, CT – Today, state Senator Matt Lesser (D-Middletown) applauded the passage of a bill designed to raise Connecticut’s hourly minimum wage to $15 an hour in five yearly steps by June 1, 2023 – a change that will benefit a third of a million state residents, or nearly a third of Connecticut’s workforce.

The legislation passed by a 21-14 vote and now awaits a signature from Governor Ned Lamont to become law. The bill previously passed the state House of Representatives by an 85-59 vote.

“The American dream for too many people in my generation is slipping away,” said Sen. Lesser. “There is one reason for this outcome and it is not because our economy is not growing, it is because wages have not caught up with growth. The people of Connecticut need a raise and this legislation allows us to raise wages for the hard working people of this state.”

SUMMARY:

House Bill 5004, “AN ACT INCREASING THE MINIMUM FAIR WAGE,” increases Connecticut’s hourly minimum wage from the current $10.10 per hour to:

$11.00 on October 1, 2019
$12.00 on September 1, 2020
$13.00 on August 1, 2021
$14.00 on July 1, 2022
$15.00 on June 1, 2023

Tip Credit:

Training / Youth Wage:

ECI Indexing:

A history of the ECI can be found here: https://www.bls.gov/ncs/ncspubs.htm#tabs-2

Senator Lesser Applauds Passage of Democrats’ “TIME’S UP” Sexual Harassment Bill

Posted on May 17, 2019 by Webmaster

Senator Lesser Applauds Passage of
Democrats’ “TIME’S UP” Sexual Harassment Bill

HARTFORD, CT – Today, state Senator Matt Lesser (D-Middletown) applauded the bipartisan passage of Senate Bill 3, “An Act Combatting Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment,” which advanced by a unanimous vote. Also referred to as the “Time’s Up” bill, this legislation would increase certain sexual harassment penalties, extend the time limits people have to file lawsuits for sexual assault, allow more time for criminal prosecution of sexual assault, and require more employer-sponsored sexual harassment training.

“Passage of the ‘Time’s Up’ Act will be a major step forward for survivors of sexual abuse,” said Sen. Lesser. “I am incredibly proud of my colleagues, state Senators Mae Flexer and Gary Winfield for carrying the torch and ensuring that the Connecticut State Senate stands on the side of justice.”

Statutes of Limitations for Criminal Cases of Sexual Assault

Statutes of Limitations for Civil Cases of Sexual Assault

Workplace Discrimination and Sexual Harassment

The bill now awaits a vote by the House of Representatives.

Senate Democrats Pass $15 Minimum Wage For Connecticut

Posted on May 17, 2019 by Webmaster

Senate Democrats Pass $15 Minimum Wage For Connecticut

Connecticut’s Democratic State Senators voted early this morning to raise Connecticut’s hourly minimum wage to $15 an hour in five yearly steps by June 1, 2023 – a change that will directly benefit a third of a million state residents, or about one-fifth of Connecticut’s total workforce.

After a six-hour debate, the Senate passed the minimum wage bill on a party-line 21-14 vote at 2:45 a.m. this morning. Once the bill is signed into law by Governor Lamont, the first minimum wage increase will take effect on October 1 of this year.

“Working people deserve to work with dignity,” said Senate President Pro Tempore Martin Looney (D-New Haven). “Over 300,000 hardworking people will benefit from raising the minimum wage, and I’m proud that Connecticut will join other states around the country in passing this legislation.”

“Connecticut needs to pay workers the wages they deserve,” said Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk). “By raising the minimum wage, we are ensuring that more people are lifted out of poverty and are able to provide for themselves and their families. It’s the right thing to do and our economy will benefit from it.”

“Passing this minimum wage increase will directly benefit 332,000 people in Connecticut,” said state Senator Julie Kushner (D-Danbury), who as Senate Chair of the Labor Committee brought the bill out on the Senate floor and answered legislators’ questions about it. “The public support for raising the minimum wage in Connecticut is really quite amazing. Even people who make well above the minimum wage are supportive of more pay over time for others. This support speaks volumes about the values of the people in our state, of their consideration for others. It’s wonderful to see.”

“As a business owner, I’ve thought long and hard about this issue, and I decided it was important enough to bring up the lowest-level pay for employees because I believe getting people to a higher wage is critical for the health and welfare for the State of Connecticut. It’s the fair thing to do,” said state Senator Norm Needleman (D-Essex), who is the owner of Tower Laboratories, a manufacturing company headquartered in Essex and that employs 150 people in Connecticut. “There may be unintended consequences, but I believe the good outweighs the bad. I wish the minimum wage had been indexed since I entered the workforce so we wouldn’t be dealing with an abrupt change right now. I suspect the minimum wage would be significantly higher had we done that, and we wouldn’t be fighting this battle right now. I’m glad this bill addresses that going forward.”

SUMMARY:

House Bill 5004, “AN ACT INCREASING THE MINIMUM FAIR WAGE,” increases Connecticut’s hourly minimum wage from the current $10.10 per hour to:

$11.00 on October 1, 2019
$12.00 on September 1, 2020
$13.00 on August 1, 2021
$14.00 on July 1, 2022
and $15.00 on June 1, 2023

Tip Credit:

Current state law provides a “tip credit” to employers of hotel and restaurant staff and to bartenders who customarily receive tips. The tip credit allows employers to count these employee tips as a percentage of their minimum wage requirement, thus reducing the employer’s share of the minimum wage — as long as the tips make up the difference.
The new minimum wage bill freezes the employer’s share of these employees’ minimum wage requirement at their current values ($6.38 for hotel and restaurant staff, and $8.23 for bartenders), but the bill also requires the tip credit’s value to correspondingly increase to make up for the difference between the employer’s share and the bill’s minimum wage increases. Thus, it allows employers to count these employees’ tips towards the difference between the employer’s share and the increasing minimum wage, as long as the tips make up the difference.

Training / Youth Wage:

ECI Indexing:

A history of the ECI can be found here: https://www.bls.gov/ncs/ncspubs.htm#tabs-2

Connecticut History of the Minimum Wage:

1959 Act added “owner” and “partnership” to Subsec. (e) and the proviso and authority to define executive, etc., capacity by regulation to Subsec. (f); 1961 act added to Subsec. (f) the clause re employees of industry and increased the minimum wage rate provided for by Subsec. (j);
1963 Act included beginners in minimum wage provisions of Subsec. (j), specified that $0.95 minimum wage for learners, beginners and persons under eighteen applies for the first 500 hours of employment, set rate at $1.25 thereafter and exempted institutional training programs designated by commissioner from pay provision;
1967 Acts redefined “employee” to delete reference to individuals exempt under specified Subdivs. of Fair Labor Standards Act and individuals employed in industries for which wage orders have been established as employees, redefined “minimum fair wage”, revising wage amounts and reducing hours at which beginners, etc. are paid a lesser amount from 500 to 200;
1969 Act redefined “minimum fair wage” to add provisions pegging increases to increases in federal minimum wage;
1971 Acts redefined “employee” to delete exclusion for employees of state, municipalities or political subdivisions and redefined “minimum fair wage” to increase wage amounts, to delete provision re formula for increase in gratuities allowance for restaurant employees and to add provision re fair wage for agricultural employees;
1972 Act redefined “employee” to delete exclusion for individuals in manufacturing establishments subject to provisions of Fair Labor Standards Act;
P.A. 73-82 redefined “employee” to specifically exclude persons employed in executive, administrative, professional or outside sales capacity;
P.A. 77-154 excluded employees of nonprofit theaters which operate less than seven months a year from consideration as employees;
P.A. 77-329 qualified exclusion of persons in domestic service from consideration as employees by adding exception and excluded baby-sitters;
P.A. 78-358 raised minimum wage, pegged rates to “highest” federal minimum wage, changed basis of wage for beginners, etc. from $1.50 for the first 200 hours and $1.85 thereafter to not less than 85% of basic minimum wage for first 200 hours and equaling basic minimum wage thereafter and deleted provision re minimum wage for agricultural employees;
P.A. 79-41 redefined “employer” to include the state and its political subdivisions; P.A. 83-537 amended Subsec. (f) to exempt any individual employed as a head resident or resident assistant at a college or university from the definition of “employee”;
P.A. 87-366 amended Subsec. (j) to increase the minimum fair wage to $3.75 on October 1, 1987, and to $4.25 on October 1, 1988;
P.A. 93-144 redefined “employee” to delete specific exclusion of persons employed in a bona fide executive, administrative or professional capacity;
P.A. 95-79 redefined “employer” to include a limited liability company, effective May 31, 1995;
P.A. 98-44 amended Subsec. (j) to increase the minimum fair wage to $5.65 on January 1, 1999, and to $6.15 on January 1, 2000;
P.A. 00-144 amended Subsec. (j) to increase the minimum fair wage to $6.40 on January 1, 2001, and to $6.70 on January 1, 2002;
P.A. 02-33 amended Subsec. (j) by deleting prior minimum fair wage amounts and by increasing the minimum fair wage to $6.90 on January 1, 2003, and to $7.10 on January 1, 2004, effective July 1, 2002;
P.A. 05-32 amended Subsec. (j) to increase the minimum fair wage to $7.40 on January 1, 2006, and $7.65 on January 1, 2007;
P.A. 08-92 amended Subsec. (j) to increase minimum fair wage to $8.00 per hour on January 1, 2009, and to $8.25 per hour on January 1, 2010; P.A. 10-32 made a technical change in Subsec. (e), effective May 10, 2010; P.A. 13-25 amended Subsec. (f) to redefine “employee” by adding provision re member of the armed forces of the state performing military duty;
P.A. 13-117 amended Subsec. (j) to redefine “minimum fair wage” by increasing minimum wage to $8.70 per hour on January 1, 2014, and $9.00 per hour on January 1, 2015, effective July 1, 2013;
P.A. 13-140 deleted former Subsec. (b) defining “wage board”, redesignated existing Subsecs. (c) to (j) as Subsecs. (b) to (i), and made technical changes, effective June 18, 2013;
P.A. 14-1 amended Subsec. (i) to redefine “minimum fair wage” by increasing minimum wage to $9.15 on January 1, 2015, to $9.60 on January 1, 2016, and to $10.10 on January 1, 2017, effective July 1, 2014;
P.A. 15-127 amended Subsec. (b) by deleting reference to wage board, effective June 23, 2015.