CT HB06638

Establishes state-wide percentage goals for awarding state procurement contracts to women-owned and minority business enterprises (WBEs and MBEs), with the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management setting separate goals for African-American-owned, Hispanic-American-owned, and women-owned businesses by January 1, 2016, and every two years thereafter.

Creates new definitions for "women-owned business enterprise" and "minority" (including Black Americans, Hispanic Americans, Iberian Peninsula origins, Asian Pacific Americans, and American Indians), and clarifies that contractors cannot solely rely on state percentage goals but must evaluate individual contracts based on subcontracting opportunities and certified business availability.

Requires state agencies and political subdivisions (excluding municipalities) to reserve a percentage of procurement contracts for WBEs and MBEs based on established goals, while continuing the existing 25% set-aside requirement for small contractors.

Mandates certification processes for small contractors and women-owned and minority business enterprises, with penalties up to $10,000 for false statements or violations of set-aside and reserved contract requirements.

Requires agencies and subdivisions to submit annual reports establishing contract goals and quarterly status reports showing achievement of women-owned and minority business enterprise goals to the Secretary of Policy and Management and Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities.