CT HB06786

Labor Commissioner must establish a process allowing licensed contractors in electrical, plumbing, heating, piping, cooling, sprinkler fitter, and sheet metal trades to hire additional apprentices beyond current journeyperson-to-apprentice ratios, effective October 1, 2025

Applicants must meet eligibility criteria including: good standing with Labor Department, no wage violations against apprentices in prior 3 years, no excessive apprentice terminations in prior 3 years, and at least 40% of apprentices employed 6+ years must have qualified for journeyperson license exams

Labor Commissioner must complete application review and issue determination within 10 business days, with denied applications receiving written explanation

Hiring ratio relief applies only to specified apprentices and remains valid for as long as they remain apprentices with that employer, up to a maximum of 6 years

Labor Department must submit annual reports to General Assembly committees starting October 1, 2026, detailing number of individuals served and outcomes of the hiring ratio relief process