SB 317 Summary

• Repeals and replaces Section 31-236 of the Connecticut General Statutes effective October 1, 2022, governing unemployment benefit eligibility.

• Protects workers from losing unemployment benefits for refusing work when the position is vacant due to a strike, lockout, or other labor dispute.

• Modifies the definition of "wilful misconduct" for discharge from employment, requiring three separate instances of unexcused absence within a twelve-month period (changing to one day per instance on or after January 1, 2024, from the prior standard of one or two consecutive days).

• Changes treatment of vacation pay, wages in lieu of notice, and dismissal payments for unemployment benefit calculations, with expanded exclusions for accrued vacation pay effective January 1, 2024.

• Clarifies definitions of "temporary help service," "temporary employee," "illness or disability," "suitable work," and "health care provider" for unemployment benefit eligibility purposes.