Joan Hartley

Legislation Led by Sen. Hartley Providing Relief for Employers Regarding COVID-19 PPE Expenses Passes Senate

Today, state Senator Joan Hartley (D-Waterbury, Middlebury, and Naugatuck), Senate Chair of the Commerce Committee, led unanimous passage in the Senate of legislation benefitting businesses against the financial strains caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The legislation takes an important step to benefit businesses by providing them with a temporary tax exemption for purchasing necessary protective equipment to limit the spread of COVID-19.

“At the start of the coronavirus pandemic, small businesses faced great challenges in acquiring PPE to keep their employees and businesses safe. This coincided with businesses struggling with the financial impact of the pandemic,” said Sen. Hartley. “This common-sense bill recognizes their continuing efforts to protect the health and safety of employees, and provides financial relief by removing the tax burden on purchases of PPE.”

Senate Bill 711, “An Act Concerning COVID-19 Relief For Small Businesses And Requiring Federal Regulatory Analysis For Proposed State Regulations,” establishes a sales and use tax exemption for small businesses for personal protective equipment used or worn to prevent COVID-19 infection or transmission. The tax exemption is in effect from July 1, 2021 until July 1, 2023. Small businesses will need to present certificates at point of sale. A “small business” is defined as a business with 100 or fewer full-time employees.

The legislation previously passed both the Commerce; and Finance, Revenue and Bonding committees by unanimous votes.