CT SB00409

Contractors on private construction projects entered into on or after October 1, 2024, are jointly and severally liable for any unpaid wages owed to employees of subcontractors performing work within the scope of the construction contract.

Contractors may request payroll records and employee information from subcontractors by certified mail with a 30-day response deadline; subcontractors must provide certified, accurate payroll records indicating payment status and employee names with redacted Social Security numbers.

Contractors may withhold payments to subcontractors that fail to comply with payroll record or employee information requests within 30 days.

Employees or labor organizations may bring civil actions against either subcontractors, contractors, or both for unpaid wages, and must provide notice to the contractor at least 10 days before filing suit unless a prior violation by the same subcontractor was previously reported.

Employees or labor organizations can recover twice the full amount of unpaid wages plus attorney's fees and court costs, or the full amount if the employer had a good faith belief the underpayment was lawful; the Labor Commissioner may also bring legal action to recover unpaid wages plus interest.