Substitute Bill No. 421 Summary

• Requires state contractors providing food, building, property, equipment, or maintenance services to pay employees at least the standard rate determined by the Labor Commissioner, effective July 1, 2022.

• Standard rate consists of prevailing hourly wages based on Hartford County collective bargaining agreements (covering at least 500 employees) plus 30% surcharge for benefits, or prevailing benefits if higher.

• Requires employers to offer standard paid leave (vacation, holiday, personal leave) and maintain certified payroll records; violations result in civil penalties of $2,500 to $5,000 per offense.

• Filing false certified payroll is a Class D felony punishable by up to $5,000 fine and/or 5 years imprisonment.

• Does not apply to contracts under $49,999 per year or those entered into before July 1, 2000; successor contractors must retain predecessor employees for 90 days except those working fewer than 15 hours/week or employed less than 60 days.