CT SB00001

Increases employee threshold for Small Business Express program eligibility from 50 to 100 employees, and increases threshold for other small business programs from 50 to 100 employees.

Establishes Subsidized Training and Employment program providing grants to eligible small businesses and manufacturers to subsidize wages and training costs for newly hired unemployed workers for up to six months, with grant amounts declining from 100% to 25% of wages over the period.

Creates Unemployed Armed Forces Member Subsidized Training and Employment program providing grants to eligible businesses for training and compensation of veterans, particularly those separated from military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Authorizes $20 million in state bonds for small business and manufacturer training programs in fiscal years 2012-2014, and $10 million in bonds for armed forces member program effective July 1, 2013.

Establishes Connecticut-made product marketing program and Connecticut Treasures cultural/historical designation program; adds unemployment status as protected class in employment advertising discrimination laws.