CT HB05150

Requires the Department of Economic and Community Development, in consultation with the Department of Administrative Services, to establish a hiring program for recent college graduates in state positions.

Eligible participants must have graduated from or completed an accredited post-secondary program within the one year immediately preceding hire and serve in the program for the first five years of state service.

Participants are ineligible to join collective bargaining units and exempt from collective bargaining agreements during their five-year program tenure.

Compensation includes withholding up to 10 percent of annual salary (not exceeding $10,000 annually) to pay student loan servicers directly, plus a guaranteed annual lump-sum bonus of three percent of regular annual salary for each year of completed service.

Participants are ineligible for state income tax deductions on student loan interest paid by the state, ineligible for Tier IV or subsequent retirement system tiers, but eligible for 403(b) or 457 defined contribution retirement plans; upon completing five years, participants receive hiring preference for permanent positions and become eligible for collective bargaining unit participation.