CT SB00221

Eliminates the recognition of gratuities as part of the minimum fair wage effective July 1, 2027, with a phase-out period reducing the gratuity credit from 34.2% (July 1, 2024) to 22% (July 1, 2025) to 10% (July 1, 2026-2027) for non-bartender restaurant workers, and from 21.8% to 11% to 8.2% for bartenders on the same schedule.

Maintains minimum wage adjustments based on the employment cost index beginning January 1, 2024, with the wage adjusted annually by the percentage change in the index for the twelve-month period ending June 30 of the preceding year, rounded to the nearest whole cent.

Removes provisions allowing reduced minimum wages for workers under age eighteen and learners/apprentices, eliminating the previous 85% subminimum wage option for the first ninety days of employment.

Requires restaurants to disclose the existence, amount, and purpose of any service fee to customers prior to ordering, making undisclosed service charges an unfair or deceptive trade practice under state consumer protection law.

Effective date of July 1, 2024 for all changes to wage and gratuity provisions, and service charge disclosure requirements.