CT SB00391

Establishes a "low wage employer fee" assessed quarterly on covered employers (500+ employees) that employ workers earning less than $15/hour on average, effective first quarter 2017.

Calculates the fee by multiplying $0.004 per employee hour worked by the number of employees exceeding 500, with the resulting fee rate capped between $0.10 and $1.00 per hour.

Adjusts the $15/hour wage threshold annually starting January 1, 2023, based on the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U).

Directs collected fees to the General Fund with legislative recommendations for spending on early care, child care subsidies, Head Start, school readiness, and services for elderly and disabled persons.

Expands the Connecticut Low Wage Employer Advisory Board's duties to include monitoring low-wage labor practices, studying minimum wage adequacy, and recommending uses for collected fees.