CT HB05356

Establishes the Connecticut Essential Workers' Pandemic Pay program providing $2,000 to full-time essential workers (30+ hours/week for 3+ weeks) and $1,000 to part-time essential workers (less than 30 hours/week for 3+ weeks), with part-time payments prorated at $33/hour.

Defines eligible essential workers as those who worked during the March 10, 2020 COVID-19 emergency declaration or subsequent COVID-19 emergencies and met CDC vaccination phase 1a, 1b, or 1c criteria, or were included in CISA's Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce guidance, or covered by Governor's Executive Order 7H, regardless of immigration status.

Requires applications to be submitted by January 1, 2023, with proof of employment from March 10, 2020 onward; administrator must provide written determination within 60 business days (or 10 business days after receiving additional information), and applicants may request reconsideration within 20 business days with final decision issued within 20 business days.

Prohibits employers from discharging, disciplining, or discriminating against employees for filing pandemic pay applications or deliberately misinforming/dissuading them; employees may sue for reinstatement, back wages, benefits restoration, and punitive damages with attorney's fees awarded to prevailing parties.

Appropriates $750 million to the Comptroller from the General Fund for fiscal year ending June 30, 2023, with payments ceasing after June 30, 2024; permits use of American Rescue Plan Act funds and future federal COVID-19 relief moneys; limits administrative costs to 5% of total funds.