Labor panel raises worker-focused concepts, votes to draft omnibus SB 8

The Labor and Public Employees Committee convened Jan. 14 and unanimously or narrowly approved motions to raise a slate of worker-related concepts for public hearings and to draft Senate Bill 8 as a committee bill.

The committee — chaired by Representative Sanchez — advanced concepts covering state marshals’ health benefits, an increase in wage-and-hour investigators at the Department of Labor, expanded unemployment access for striking workers after a period of consecutive days on strike, a clarification that cannabis workers must be paid the full minimum wage, changes to the Connecticut Retirement Security Program, protections limiting unreasonable quotas in warehouse distribution centers and statutory changes to the firefighters cancer relief fund. Sponsors said the items either respond to persistent enforcement gaps or to complaints brought to state agencies; opponents cautioned about costs, overreach or unintended economic effects.

Votes at a glance

- An act concerning state marshals’ health benefits: motion to raise the concept moved by Representative Wilson, seconded by Representative Anne Hughes; roll call recorded 11 yes, 0 no (recorded); outcome: motion passed and votes held open.

- An act concerning the number of wage-and-hour investigators at the Labor Department: moved by Representative Wilson, seconded by…