CT HB05236

Establishes a Public Transit Workplace Health, Safety and Violence Prevention Committee within the Department of Transportation, comprising two bus operators and two management representatives from each transit district, with initial appointments due by November 1, 2026

Requires the committee to adopt a workplace health, safety and violence protection plan by January 1, 2028, addressing safe passenger procedures, employee physical and mental health protections, reasonable breaks, restroom access, risk reduction, incident reporting, and de-escalation training

Mandates all public transit buses operated by DOT or transit districts be equipped with bulletproof security barriers by October 1, 2027, designed to fully enclose the operator's workstation while maintaining visibility

Requires the Commissioner of Transportation and transit districts to collaborate with labor organizations by January 1, 2027 on security barrier specifications, panic button technology, and signage informing the public of penalties for crimes against operators

Prohibits transit districts from retaliating against employees who report workplace violence or plan violations, and requires adopted plans to be incorporated into collective bargaining agreements