CT HB05004

Establishes a graduated minimum wage schedule with increases effective October 1, 2019 ($11.00/hour), September 1, 2020 ($12.00/hour), August 1, 2021 ($13.00/hour), July 1, 2022 ($14.00/hour), and June 1, 2023 ($15.00/hour).

Implements annual automatic adjustments to minimum wage beginning January 1, 2024, based on the percentage change in the employment cost index for wages and salaries, rounded to the nearest whole cent.

Reduces the training wage for persons under age 18 from 200 hours to 90 days of employment at 85% of minimum wage (or $10.10/hour, whichever is greater).

Allows Labor Commissioner to recognize gratuities as part of minimum wage for hotel and restaurant workers effective July 1, 2019, with employers required to pay base amounts of $6.38/hour for non-bartenders and $8.23/hour for bartenders.

Prohibits employers from October 1, 2020 onward from displacing employees or reducing their hours, wages, or benefits to hire workers under 18 at reduced rates; violating employers lose the right to use reduced rates for a specified period.