Connecticut 2019 Regular Session

Connecticut Senate Bill SB00881 Latest Draft

Bill / Comm Sub Version Filed 04/08/2019

                             
 
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General Assembly  Substitute Bill No. 881  
January Session, 2019  
 
 
 
AN ACT ESTABLISHING A PAID FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE 
PROGRAM.  
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General 
Assembly convened: 
 
Section 1. (NEW) (Effective from passage) As used in this section and 1 
sections 2 to 13, inclusive, of this act: 2 
(1) "Covered worker" means an individual who (A) (i) has earned 3 
not less than two thousand three hundred twenty-five dollars from one 4 
or more employers during the employee's highest earning quarter 5 
within the base period, and (ii) is employed by an employer or not 6 
currently employed, (B) is a self-employed individual or sole 7 
proprietor who has earned not less than two thousand three hundred 8 
twenty-five dollars during the worker's highest earning quarter within 9 
the base period, or (C) is a member of a collective bargaining unit that 10 
has negotiated inclusion in the program, in accordance with chapter 68 11 
of the general statutes or sections 7-467 to 7-477, inclusive, of the 12 
general statutes; 13 
(2) "Administrator" means the Labor Department or such quasi-14 
public agency, as defined in section 1-120 of the general statutes, as the 15 
Labor Commissioner may designate; 16 
(3) "Employ" means to allow or permit to work; 17 
(4) "Employee" means an individual engaged in service to an 18  Substitute Bill No. 881 
 
 
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employer in this state in the business of the employer and includes a 19 
self-employed individual or sole proprietor in the state; 20 
(5) "Employer" means a person engaged in any activity, enterprise 21 
or business who employs one or more employees, and includes any 22 
person who acts, directly or indirectly, in the interest of an employer to 23 
any of the employees of such employer and any successor in interest of 24 
an employer. "Employer" does not include the state, or a municipality, 25 
or a local or regional board of education, except when a collective 26 
bargaining unit negotiates inclusion of the members of that collective 27 
bargaining unit in the program, in accordance with chapter 68 of the 28 
general statutes or sections 7-467 to 7-477, inclusive, of the general 29 
statutes;  30 
(6) "Family and medical leave compensation" or "compensation" 31 
means the paid leave provided to covered workers from the Family 32 
and Medical Leave Insurance Trust Fund; 33 
(7) "Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program" or "program" 34 
means the program established in section 2 of this act;  35 
(8) "Family and Medical Leave Insurance Trust Fund" or "trust" 36 
means the trust fund established in section 3 of this act;  37 
(9) "Person" means one or more individuals, partnerships, 38 
associations, corporations, limited liability companies, business trusts, 39 
legal representatives or any organized group of persons;  40 
(10) "Base period" means the first four of the five most recently 41 
worked quarters; and 42 
(11) "Base weekly earnings" means an amount equal to one twenty-43 
sixth, rounded to the next lower dollar, of the average of a worker's 44 
total wages, as defined in subsection (b) of section 31-222 of the general 45 
statutes, paid during the two quarters of the worker's base period in 46 
which such wages were highest. 47  Substitute Bill No. 881 
 
 
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Sec. 2. (NEW) (Effective from passage) (a) There is established a 48 
Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program. The program shall be 49 
administered by the administrator and shall offer up to twelve 50 
workweeks of family and medical leave compensation to covered 51 
workers during any twelve-month period. The program shall offer two 52 
additional weeks of family and medical leave compensation to a 53 
covered worker for a serious health condition that occurs during a 54 
pregnancy.  55 
(b) On or before October 1, 2020, the administrator shall begin 56 
collecting contributions to the Family and Medical Leave Insurance 57 
Trust Fund, established in section 3 of this act and, on and after 58 
January 1, 2022, shall begin to provide compensation to covered 59 
workers. For the purposes of this section and sections 3 to 13, inclusive, 60 
of this act, the administrator shall have the power to (1) determine 61 
whether an individual meets the requirements for compensation under 62 
this section; (2) require a covered worker's claim for compensation 63 
pursuant to this section be supported by certification pursuant to 64 
section 31-51mm of the general statutes, as amended by this act, and 65 
subsection (d) of section 31-51ss of the general statutes; (3) examine, or 66 
cause to be produced or examined, any books, records, documents, 67 
contracts or other papers relevant to the eligibility of a covered worker; 68 
(4) summon and examine under oath such witnesses as may provide 69 
information relevant to a covered worker's claim for family and 70 
medical leave compensation; (5) establish procedures and forms for the 71 
filing of claims for compensation, including the certification required 72 
for establishing eligibility for such compensation; and (6) ensure the 73 
confidentiality of records and documents relating to medical 74 
certifications, recertifications or medical histories of covered workers 75 
or covered workers' family members pursuant to section 31-51oo of the 76 
general statutes, as amended by this act. 77 
(c) (1) Beginning on or before October 1, 2020, each employee shall 78 
contribute one-half of one per cent of his or her weekly earnings to the 79 
Family and Medical Leave Insurance Trust Fund, in a manner and 80  Substitute Bill No. 881 
 
 
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form prescribed by the administrator pursuant to section 6 of this act.  81 
(2) On September 1, 2022, and on each September first thereafter, the 82 
administrator shall publish the following information: (A) The total 83 
amount of benefits paid by the administrator during the previous fiscal 84 
year, as well as the total amount required for the administration of the 85 
Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program in such year; (B) the 86 
total amount remaining in the trust fund at the close of such fiscal year; 87 
(C) the total amount equal to one hundred forty per cent of the 88 
previous fiscal year's expenditure for benefits paid and for the 89 
administration of the Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program; 90 
(D) the amount by which the total amount remaining in the trust fund 91 
at the close of the previous fiscal year is less than or greater than one 92 
hundred forty per cent of the previous fiscal year's expenditure for 93 
benefits paid and for the administration of the Family and Medical 94 
Leave Insurance Program. On November 1, 2022, and on each 95 
November first thereafter, the Labor Commissioner shall announce a 96 
revision to the contribution rate set forth in subdivision (1) of this 97 
subsection to ensure that the trust fund shall maintain or achieve an 98 
annualized amount of not less than one hundred forty per cent of the 99 
previous fiscal year's expenditure for benefits paid and for the 100 
administration of the Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program. 101 
Effective on January first of the calendar year following each such 102 
announcement, the revised contribution rate announced by the Labor 103 
Commissioner under this subsection shall supersede the rate 104 
previously set forth in subdivision (1) of this subsection or established 105 
in accordance with this subsection. 106 
(3) The amount of earnings subject to contributions for a given year 107 
shall not exceed the Social Security contribution and benefit base, as 108 
determined pursuant to 42 USC 430, as amended from time to time, 109 
and shall be utilized to provide compensation to covered workers 110 
pursuant to this subsection and subsections (d) to (f), inclusive, of this 111 
section. 112 
(4) Notwithstanding section 31-71e of the general statutes, an 113  Substitute Bill No. 881 
 
 
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employer may withhold or divert the portion of an employee's wages 114 
that corresponds to the contribution rate established pursuant to this 115 
subsection for the purpose of remitting such wages to the Family and 116 
Medical Leave Insurance Trust Fund.  117 
(5) If, after notice, an employee or employer fails to make a payment 118 
required by this section, a state collection agency, as defined in section 119 
12-35 of the general statutes, shall collect such contribution and interest 120 
by any means provided in sections 12-35, 31-265 and 31-266 of the 121 
general statutes. 122 
(d) The weekly compensation offered to covered workers shall be 123 
equal to ninety per cent of a covered worker's base weekly earnings up 124 
to an amount equal to forty times the minimum fair wage, as defined 125 
in section 31-58 of the general statutes, and sixty-seven per cent of that 126 
worker's base weekly earnings above an amount equal to forty times 127 
the minimum fair wage, except that the weekly compensation shall not 128 
exceed an amount equal to sixty times the minimum fair wage. If the 129 
Internal Revenue Service determines that family and medical leave 130 
compensation is subject to federal income tax and a covered worker 131 
elects to have federal income tax deducted and withheld from his or 132 
her compensation, the administrator shall deduct and withhold the 133 
amount specified in the United States Internal Revenue Code in a 134 
manner consistent with state law. 135 
(e) A covered worker shall receive compensation under this section 136 
for leave taken for one or more of the reasons listed in subparagraphs 137 
(A) to (E), inclusive, of subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of section 31-138 
51ll of the general statutes, as amended by this act, or the reasons listed 139 
in subsection (i) of said section or section 31-51ss of the general 140 
statutes, if such covered worker (1) provides notice to the 141 
administrator, and such covered worker's employer, if applicable, of 142 
the need for such compensation in a form and a manner as prescribed 143 
by the administrator, and (2) upon the request of the administrator, 144 
provides certification of such covered worker's need for compensation 145 
in accordance with the provisions of section 31-51mm of the general 146  Substitute Bill No. 881 
 
 
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statutes, as amended by this act, to the administrator and such 147 
employer, if applicable. 148 
(f) A covered worker may receive compensation under this section 149 
for intermittent leave, provided such leave shall not be less than four 150 
consecutive hours of leave in any workweek. If family and medical 151 
leave benefits are taken for four hours or more, but for less than one 152 
full week, such hourly compensation shall be determined on a pro rata 153 
basis at the discretion of the administrator. 154 
(g) A covered worker may receive compensation under this section 155 
concurrently with any employer-provided employment benefits, 156 
provided the total compensation of such covered worker during such 157 
period of leave shall not exceed such covered worker's regular rate of 158 
compensation. 159 
(h) No covered worker shall receive compensation under this 160 
section concurrently with compensation under chapter 567 or 568 of 161 
the general statutes or any other state or federal program that provides 162 
wage replacement. 163 
(i) No covered worker shall receive compensation under this section 164 
during the greater of the first forty work hours or seven calendar days 165 
of such leave in any twelve-month period, unless taken upon the birth 166 
of a son or daughter of the covered worker or upon the placement of a 167 
son or daughter with the covered worker for adoption or foster care; 168 
except that a covered worker may utilize accrued sick or vacation pay 169 
or other paid leave provided under an employer policy during the first 170 
forty work hours or seven calendar days of such leave. Covered 171 
workers taking family or medical leave for which benefits are not 172 
payable under this subsection shall be entitled to the protections of 173 
section 31-51nn of the general statutes. 174 
(j) Any moneys expended from the General Fund for the purpose of 175 
administering the Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program, or 176 
providing compensation to covered workers, shall be reimbursed to 177  Substitute Bill No. 881 
 
 
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the General Fund by the administrator over a period established by the 178 
administrator. 179 
Sec. 3. (NEW) (Effective from passage) (a) There is established a fund 180 
to be known as the "Family and Medical Leave Insurance Trust Fund" 181 
for the purpose of providing family and medical leave compensation 182 
to covered workers. The Family and Medical Leave Insurance Trust 183 
Fund shall be a nonlapsing fund held by the State Treasurer separate 184 
and apart from all other moneys, funds and accounts. Investment 185 
earnings credited to the trust shall become part of the trust. 186 
(b) The trust shall constitute an instrumentality of the state and shall 187 
perform essential governmental functions in accordance with the 188 
provisions of this section. The trust shall receive and hold all payments 189 
and deposits and premiums intended for the trust, as well as gifts, 190 
bequests, endowments or federal, state or local grants and any other 191 
funds from any public or private source and all earnings until 192 
disbursed in accordance with the provisions of this section. 193 
(c) The amounts on deposit in the trust shall not constitute property 194 
of the state and the trust shall not be construed to be a department, 195 
institution or agency of the state. Amounts on deposit in the trust shall 196 
not be commingled with state funds and the state shall have no claim 197 
to or against, or interest in, such funds. Any contract entered into by or 198 
any obligation of the trust shall not constitute a debt or obligation of 199 
the state and the state shall have no obligation to any designated 200 
beneficiary or any other person on account of the trust and all amounts 201 
obligated to be paid from the trust shall be limited to amounts 202 
available for such obligation on deposit in the trust. The trust shall 203 
continue in existence as long as it holds any deposits or has any 204 
obligations and until its existence is terminated by law and upon 205 
termination any unclaimed assets shall return to the state. Property of 206 
the trust shall be governed by section 3-61a of the general statutes. 207 
(d) The State Treasurer shall be responsible for the receipt and 208 
investment of moneys held by the trust. The trust shall not receive 209  Substitute Bill No. 881 
 
 
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deposits in any form other than cash. No depositor or designated 210 
beneficiary may direct the investment of any contributions or amounts 211 
held in the trust other than the specific fund options provided for by 212 
the trust. 213 
(e) The assets of the trust shall be used for the purpose of (1) 214 
distributing family and medical leave compensation to covered 215 
workers, (2) educating and informing persons about the program, and 216 
(3) paying the operational, administrative and investment costs of the 217 
trust, including those incurred pursuant to section 6 of this act. 218 
Sec. 4. (NEW) (Effective from passage) The State Treasurer, on behalf 219 
of the Family and Medical Leave Insurance Trust Fund and for 220 
purposes of the trust, shall: 221 
(1) Receive and invest moneys in the trust in any instruments, 222 
obligations, securities or property in accordance with sections 3 and 5 223 
of this act; 224 
(2) Procure insurance as the State Treasurer deems necessary to 225 
protect the trust's property, assets, activities or deposits or 226 
contributions to the trust; and 227 
(3) Apply for, accept and expend gifts, grants or donations from 228 
public or private sources to carry out the objectives of the trust. 229 
Sec. 5. (NEW) (Effective from passage) The State Treasurer shall invest 230 
the amounts on deposit in the Family and Medical Leave Insurance 231 
Trust Fund in a manner reasonable and appropriate to achieve the 232 
objectives of the trust, exercising the discretion and care of a prudent 233 
person in similar circumstances with similar objectives. The State 234 
Treasurer shall give due consideration to rate of return, risk, term or 235 
maturity, diversification of the total portfolio within the trust, 236 
liquidity, the projected disbursements and expenditures and the 237 
expected payments, deposits, contributions and gifts to be received. 238 
The State Treasurer shall not require the trust to invest directly in 239 
obligations of the state or any political subdivision of the state or in 240  Substitute Bill No. 881 
 
 
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any investment or other fund administered by the State Treasurer. The 241 
assets of the trust shall be continuously invested and reinvested in a 242 
manner consistent with the objectives of the trust until disbursed upon 243 
order of the administrator or expended on expenses incurred by the 244 
operations of the trust. 245 
Sec. 6. (NEW) (Effective from passage) The administrator, in 246 
consultation with the State Treasurer and the Department of Revenue 247 
Services, shall establish the procedures necessary to implement the 248 
Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program. The administrator 249 
shall: 250 
(1) Design, establish and operate the program to ensure 251 
transparency in the management of the program and the Family and 252 
Medical Leave Insurance Trust Fund through oversight and ethics 253 
review of plan fiduciaries; 254 
(2) Design and establish the process by which employees shall 255 
contribute a portion of their salary or wages to the trust; 256 
(3) Evaluate and establish the process by which employers may 257 
credit employee premiums to the trust through payroll deposit; 258 
(4) Ensure that contributions to the trust collected from employees 259 
shall not be used for any purpose other than to provide compensation 260 
to covered workers or to satisfy any expenses, including employee 261 
costs, incurred to implement, maintain, advertise and administer the 262 
program; 263 
(5) Establish and maintain a secure Internet web site that displays all 264 
public notices issued by the administrator and such other information 265 
as the administrator deems relevant and necessary for the 266 
implementation of the program and for the education of the public 267 
regarding the program; and 268 
(6) Not later than January 1, 2020, submit a report, in accordance 269 
with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes, to the joint 270  Substitute Bill No. 881 
 
 
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standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of 271 
matters relating to labor regarding any recommendations for 272 
legislative action that may be necessary for the implementation or 273 
administration of the program. 274 
Sec. 7. (NEW) (Effective January 1, 2020) The administrator, in 275 
consultation with the State Treasurer, shall conduct a public education 276 
campaign to inform individuals and employers about the Family and 277 
Medical Leave Insurance Program. Such campaign shall include, but 278 
not be limited to, information about (1) the requirements for receiving 279 
family and medical leave compensation, (2) how to apply for such 280 
compensation, and (3) the circumstances for which such compensation 281 
may be available. The administrator may use funds contributed to the 282 
Family and Medical Leave Insurance Trust Fund for purposes of the 283 
public education campaign. Information distributed or made available 284 
under the campaign shall be available in English and Spanish and in 285 
any other language as prescribed by the administrator. 286 
Sec. 8. (NEW) (Effective from passage) (a) (1) Employers may apply to 287 
the administrator for approval to meet their obligations under sections 288 
1 to 13, inclusive, of this act through a private plan, which the 289 
administrator shall evaluate in coordination with the Insurance 290 
Department. To be approved as meeting an employer's obligations 291 
under sections 1 to 13, inclusive, of this act, a private plan shall confer 292 
all of the same rights, protections and benefits provided to employees 293 
under sections 1 to 13, inclusive, of this act, impose no additional 294 
conditions or restriction on the use of family or medical leave beyond 295 
those explicitly authorized by said sections or by regulations issued 296 
pursuant to section 31-51qq, of the general statutes, as amended by this 297 
act, and cost employees no more than the cost charged to employees 298 
under the state program.  299 
(2) In order to be approved as meeting an employer's obligations 300 
under sections 1 to 13, inclusive, of this act, a private plan shall also 301 
comply with the following provisions: (A) If the private plan is in the 302 
form of self-insurance, the employer shall furnish a bond running to 303  Substitute Bill No. 881 
 
 
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the state, with a surety company authorized to transact business in the 304 
state as surety, in such form as may be approved by the administrator 305 
and in such amount as may be required by the department; (B) the 306 
plan shall provide coverage for all eligible employees throughout their 307 
period of employment; (C) if the plan provides for insurance, the forms 308 
of the policy shall be issued by an approved insurer; and (D) the plan 309 
shall have been approved by a majority vote of the employer's 310 
employees. 311 
(b) The administrator may withdraw approval for a private plan 312 
granted under subsection (a) of this section when terms or conditions 313 
of the plan have been violated. Causes for plan termination include, 314 
but shall not be limited to, the following: (1) Failure to pay benefits; (2) 315 
failure to pay benefits timely and in a manner consistent with the 316 
public plan; (3) failure to maintain an adequate security deposit; (4) 317 
misuse of private plan funds; (5) failure to submit reports as required 318 
by regulations adopted by the administrator; or (6) failure to comply 319 
with sections 1 to 13, inclusive, of this act or the regulations adopted 320 
hereunder or both.  321 
(c) An employee covered by a private plan approved under this 322 
section shall retain all applicable rights under sections 31-51kk to 31-323 
51qq, inclusive, of the general statutes, as amended by this act. 324 
(d) A denial of family or medical leave benefits by a private plan 325 
shall be subject to appeal before the administrator and Superior Court 326 
as provided by section 9 of this act. 327 
Sec. 9. (NEW) (Effective from passage) Any covered worker aggrieved 328 
by a denial of compensation under the Family and Medical Leave 329 
Insurance Program may file a complaint with the commissioner. Upon 330 
receipt of any such complaint, the commissioner shall conduct an 331 
investigation and make a finding regarding jurisdiction and whether a 332 
violation of sections 1 to 13, inclusive, of this act, has occurred. If the 333 
commissioner makes a finding that the agency has no jurisdiction or 334 
that no violation of such sections has occurred, the commissioner shall 335  Substitute Bill No. 881 
 
 
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dismiss the complaint and issue a release of jurisdiction allowing the 336 
complainant to bring a civil action in Superior Court. Any action 337 
brought by the complainant in accordance with this subsection shall be 338 
brought not later than ninety days after the date of the receipt of the 339 
release from the commissioner. The employee may be awarded all 340 
appropriate relief, including any compensation or benefits to which the 341 
covered worker otherwise would have been eligible if such denial had 342 
not occurred. If the commissioner makes a finding that a violation of 343 
sections 1 to 13, inclusive, of this act, has occurred, there shall be a 344 
mandatory settlement conference and, in the absence of a settlement, 345 
the commissioner shall hold a hearing. After the hearing, the 346 
commissioner shall send each party a written copy of the 347 
commissioner's decision. The commissioner may award the covered 348 
worker all appropriate relief, including any compensation or benefits 349 
to which the covered worker otherwise would have been eligible if 350 
such denial had not occurred. Any party aggrieved by the decision of 351 
the commissioner may appeal the decision to the Superior Court in 352 
accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 of the general statutes. 353 
Sec. 10. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2021) Each employer shall, at the 354 
time of hiring, and annually thereafter, provide notice to each of the 355 
employer's employees (1) of the entitlement to family and medical 356 
leave under sections 31-51kk to 31-51qq, inclusive, of the general 357 
statutes, as amended by this act, and 31-51ss of the general statutes 358 
and the terms under which such leave may be used, (2) that retaliation 359 
by the employer against the employee for requesting, applying for or 360 
using family and medical leave for which the employee is eligible is 361 
prohibited, and (3) that the employee has a right to file a complaint 362 
with the Labor Commissioner for any violation of said sections. An 363 
employee claiming to be aggrieved in relation to such a complaint filed 364 
with the Labor Commissioner may bring an action in the superior 365 
court for the judicial district of Hartford within one year from the date 366 
of the alleged aggrievement. The Labor Commissioner may adopt 367 
regulations, in accordance with chapter 54 of the general statutes, to 368 
establish additional requirements concerning the means by which 369  Substitute Bill No. 881 
 
 
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employers shall provide such notice. 370 
Sec. 11. (NEW) (Effective from passage) (a) Any individual or covered 371 
worker participating in the program who wilfully makes a false 372 
statement or misrepresentation regarding a material fact, or wilfully 373 
fails to report a material fact, to obtain family and medical leave 374 
compensation shall be disqualified from receiving any compensation 375 
under the program for two years after making such false statement or 376 
misrepresentation or failing to report such material fact. 377 
(b) If family and medical leave compensation is paid to an 378 
individual or covered worker erroneously or as a result of wilful 379 
misrepresentation by such individual or covered worker, or if a claim 380 
for family and medical leave compensation is rejected after 381 
compensation is paid, the administrator may seek repayment of 382 
benefits from the individual or covered worker having received such 383 
compensation and may also, in the case of wilful misrepresentation, 384 
seek payment of a penalty in the amount of fifty per cent of the 385 
benefits paid as a result of such misrepresentation. The administrator 386 
may, in his or her discretion, waive, in whole or in part, the amount of 387 
any such payments where the recovery would be against equity and 388 
good conscience. 389 
(c) If family and medical leave compensation is paid to an 390 
individual or covered worker as a result of wilful misrepresentation by 391 
any health care provider, as defined in section 31-51kk of the general 392 
statutes, as amended by this act, the administrator shall notify the 393 
Labor Commissioner and may seek payment of a penalty from such 394 
health care provider in the amount of fifty per cent of the benefits paid 395 
as a result of such misrepresentation. The administrator may, in his or 396 
her discretion, waive, in whole or in part, the amount of any such 397 
payments where the recovery would be against equity and good 398 
conscience. 399 
(d) A health care provider shall complete a medical certification of a 400 
patient's serious medical condition at the request of the patient. No 401  Substitute Bill No. 881 
 
 
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health care provider shall charge a patient a fee for such service.  402 
Sec. 12. (NEW) (Effective from passage) Nothing in sections 31-51kk to 403 
31-51qq, inclusive, of the general statutes, as amended by this act, and 404 
31-51ss of the general statutes or sections 2 to 13, inclusive, of this act, 405 
shall be construed to (1) prevent employers from providing any 406 
benefits that are more expansive than those provided for under said 407 
sections, (2) diminish any rights provided to any covered worker 408 
under the terms of the covered worker's employment or a collective 409 
bargaining agreement, or (3) interfere with, impede or in any way 410 
diminish the right of an employee to bargain collectively with his or 411 
her employer through a representative of his or her choosing, in order 412 
to establish wages or conditions of work in excess of the applicable 413 
minimum pursuant to sections 3-13c of the general statutes, as 414 
amended by this act, 31-51kk to 31-51mm, inclusive, of the general 415 
statutes, as amended by this act, 31-51oo to 31-51qq, inclusive, of the 416 
general statutes, as amended by this act, and sections 1 to 13, inclusive, 417 
of this act. 418 
Sec. 13. (Effective from passage) Not later than July 1, 2022, and 419 
annually thereafter, the administrator shall report, in accordance with 420 
section 11-4a of the general statutes, to the joint standing committees of 421 
the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to 422 
appropriations and the budgets of state agencies and labor, and to the 423 
Office of Policy and Management, on (1) the projected and actual 424 
participation in the program, (2) the balance of the trust, (3) the size of 425 
employers at which covered workers are employed, (4) the reasons 426 
covered workers are receiving family and medical leave compensation, 427 
(5) the success of the administrator's outreach and education efforts, 428 
and (6) demographic information of covered workers, including 429 
gender, age, town of residence and income level.  430 
Sec. 14. Section 31-51kk of the general statutes is repealed and the 431 
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2019): 432 
As used in sections 31-51kk to 31-51qq, inclusive, as amended by 433  Substitute Bill No. 881 
 
 
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this act: 434 
(1) "Eligible employee" means an employee who has [been 435 
employed (A) for at least twelve months by the employer with respect 436 
to whom leave is requested; and (B) for at least one thousand hours of 437 
service with such employer during the twelve-month period preceding 438 
the first day of the leave] earned not less than two thousand three 439 
hundred twenty-five dollars from one or more employers during the 440 
employee's highest earning quarter within the base period, as defined 441 
in section 1 of this act; 442 
(2) "Employ" includes to allow or permit to work; 443 
(3) "Employee" means any person engaged in service to an employer 444 
in the business of the employer; 445 
(4) "Employer" means a person engaged in any activity, enterprise 446 
or business who employs [seventy-five] one or more employees, and 447 
includes any person who acts, directly or indirectly, in the interest of 448 
an employer to any of the employees of such employer and any 449 
successor in interest of an employer, [but] as well as any partnership, 450 
association, corporation, or business trust that contracts with self-451 
employed individuals for services and is required to report the 452 
payment for services to such individuals on IRS Form 1099-MISC for 453 
more than fifty per cent of its workforce, and shall not include [the 454 
state,] a municipality [,] or a local or regional board of education; [, or a 455 
private or parochial elementary or secondary school. The number of 456 
employees of an employer shall be determined on October first 457 
annually;]  458 
(5) "Employment benefits" means all benefits provided or made 459 
available to employees by an employer, including group life insurance, 460 
health insurance, disability insurance, sick leave, annual leave, 461 
educational benefits and pensions, regardless of whether such benefits 462 
are provided by practice or written policy of an employer or through 463 
an "employee benefit plan", as defined in Section 1002(3) of Title 29 of 464  Substitute Bill No. 881 
 
 
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the United States Code; 465 
(6) "Grandchild" means a grandchild related to a person by (A) 466 
blood, (B) marriage, (C) adoption by a child of the grandparent, or (D) 467 
foster care by a child of the grandparent; 468 
(7) "Grandparent" means a grandparent related to a person by (A) 469 
blood, (B) marriage, (C) adoption of a minor child by a child of the 470 
grandparent, or (D) foster care by a child of the grandparent; 471 
[(6)] (8) "Health care provider" means (A) a doctor of medicine or 472 
osteopathy who is authorized to practice medicine or surgery by the 473 
state in which the doctor practices; (B) a podiatrist, dentist, 474 
psychologist, optometrist or chiropractor authorized to practice by the 475 
state in which such person practices and performs within the scope of 476 
the authorized practice; (C) an advanced practice registered nurse, 477 
nurse practitioner, nurse midwife or clinical social worker authorized 478 
to practice by the state in which such person practices and performs 479 
within the scope of the authorized practice; (D) Christian Science 480 
practitioners listed with the First Church of Christ, Scientist in Boston, 481 
Massachusetts; (E) any health care provider from whom an employer 482 
or a group health plan's benefits manager will accept certification of 483 
the existence of a serious health condition to substantiate a claim for 484 
benefits; (F) a health care provider as defined in subparagraphs (A) to 485 
(E), inclusive, of this subdivision who practices in a country other than 486 
the United States, who is licensed to practice in accordance with the 487 
laws and regulations of that country; or (G) such other health care 488 
provider as the Labor Commissioner determines, performing within 489 
the scope of the authorized practice, except that "health care provider" 490 
does not mean any such person included by the commissioner on any 491 
registry of providers who has wilfully misrepresented information to 492 
the administrator. The commissioner may utilize any determinations 493 
made pursuant to chapter 568; 494 
[(7)] (9) "Parent" means a biological parent, foster parent, adoptive 495 
parent, stepparent, parent-in-law or legal guardian of an eligible 496  Substitute Bill No. 881 
 
 
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employee or an eligible employee's spouse, [or] an individual [who 497 
stood] standing in loco parentis to an eligible employee, [when the 498 
employee was a son or daughter] or an individual who stood in loco 499 
parentis to an eligible employee when the employee was a child;  500 
[(8)] (10) "Person" means one or more individuals, partnerships, 501 
associations, corporations, business trusts, legal representatives or 502 
organized groups of persons; 503 
[(9)] (11) "Reduced leave schedule" means a leave schedule that 504 
reduces the usual number of hours per workweek, or hours per 505 
workday, of an employee; 506 
[(10)] (12) "Serious health condition" means an illness, injury, 507 
impairment, or physical or mental condition that involves (A) inpatient 508 
care in a hospital, hospice, nursing home or residential medical care 509 
facility; or (B) continuing treatment, including outpatient treatment, by 510 
a health care provider; 511 
(13) "Sibling" means a brother or sister related to a person by (A) 512 
blood, (B) marriage, (C) adoption by a parent of the person, or (D) 513 
foster care placement; 514 
[(11)] (14) "Son or daughter" means a biological, adopted or foster 515 
child, stepchild, legal ward, or, in the alternative, a child of a person 516 
standing in loco parentis, [who is (A) under eighteen years of age; or 517 
(B) eighteen years of age or older and incapable of self-care because of 518 
a mental or physical disability] or an individual to whom the employee 519 
stood in loco parentis when the individual was a child; [and]  520 
[(12)] (15) "Spouse" means a [husband or wife, as the case may be] 521 
person to whom one is legally married; and  522 
(16) "Family member" means a spouse, sibling, son or daughter, 523 
grandparent, grandchild or parent. 524 
Sec. 15. Section 31-51ll of the general statutes is repealed and the 525  Substitute Bill No. 881 
 
 
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following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2019): 526 
(a) (1) Subject to section 31-51mm, as amended by this act, an 527 
eligible employee shall be entitled to a total of [sixteen] twelve 528 
workweeks of leave during any [twenty-four-month] twelve-month 529 
period, such [twenty-four-month] twelve-month period to be 530 
determined utilizing any one of the following methods: (A) 531 
[Consecutive] A calendar [years] year; (B) any fixed [twenty-four-532 
month] twelve-month period, such as [two] a consecutive fiscal [years] 533 
year or a [twenty-four-month] twelve-month period measured forward 534 
from an employee's first date of employment; (C) a [twenty-four- 535 
month] twelve-month period measured forward from an employee's 536 
first day of leave taken under sections 31-51kk to 31-51qq, inclusive, as 537 
amended by this act; or (D) a rolling [twenty-four-month] twelve-538 
month period measured backward from an employee's first day of 539 
leave taken under sections 31-51kk to 31-51qq, inclusive, as amended 540 
by this act. Such employee may take up to two additional weeks of 541 
leave due to a serious health condition that results from a pregnancy. 542 
(2) Leave under this subsection may be taken for one or more of the 543 
following reasons: 544 
(A) Upon the birth of a son or daughter of the employee; 545 
(B) Upon the placement of a son or daughter with the employee for 546 
adoption or foster care; 547 
(C) In order to care for [the spouse, or a son, daughter or parent of 548 
the employee, if such spouse, son, daughter or parent has] a family 549 
member with a serious health condition;  550 
(D) Because of a serious health condition of the employee; 551 
(E) In order to serve as an organ or bone marrow donor; or 552 
(F) Because of any qualifying exigency, as determined in regulations 553 
adopted by the United States Secretary of Labor, arising out of the fact 554  Substitute Bill No. 881 
 
 
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that the spouse, son, daughter or parent of the employee is on active 555 
duty, or has been notified of an impending call or order to active duty, 556 
in the armed forces, as defined in subsection (a) of section 27-103. 557 
(b) Entitlement to leave under subparagraph (A) or (B) of 558 
subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of this section may accrue prior to the 559 
birth or placement of a son or daughter when such leave is required 560 
because of such impending birth or placement. 561 
(c) (1) Leave under subparagraph (A) or (B) of subdivision (2) of 562 
subsection (a) of this section for the birth or placement of a son or 563 
daughter may not be taken by an employee intermittently or on a 564 
reduced leave schedule unless the employee and the employer agree 565 
otherwise. Subject to subdivision (2) of this subsection concerning an 566 
alternative position, subdivision (2) of subsection (f) of this section 567 
concerning the duties of the employee and subdivision (5) of 568 
subsection (b) of section 31-51mm, as amended by this act, concerning 569 
sufficient certification, leave under subparagraph (C) or (D) of 570 
subdivision (2) of subsection (a) or under subsection (i) of this section 571 
for a serious health condition may be taken intermittently or on a 572 
reduced leave schedule when medically necessary. The taking of leave 573 
intermittently or on a reduced leave schedule pursuant to this 574 
subsection shall not result in a reduction of the total amount of leave to 575 
which the employee is entitled under subsection (a) of this section 576 
beyond the amount of leave actually taken. 577 
(2) If an employee requests intermittent leave or leave on a reduced 578 
leave schedule under subparagraph (C), (D) or (E) of subdivision (2) of 579 
subsection (a) or under subsection (i) of this section that is foreseeable 580 
based on planned medical treatment, the employer may require the 581 
employee to transfer temporarily to an available alternative position 582 
offered by the employer for which the employee is qualified and that 583 
(A) has equivalent pay and benefits, and (B) better accommodates 584 
recurring periods of leave than the regular employment position of the 585 
employee, provided the exercise of this authority shall not conflict 586 
with any provision of a collective bargaining agreement between such 587  Substitute Bill No. 881 
 
 
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employer and a labor organization which is the collective bargaining 588 
representative of the unit of which the employee is a part. 589 
(d) Except as provided in subsection (e) of this section, leave 590 
granted under subsection (a) of this section may consist of unpaid 591 
leave. 592 
(e) (1) If an employer provides paid leave for fewer than [sixteen] 593 
twelve workweeks, the additional weeks of leave necessary to attain 594 
the sixteen workweeks of leave required under sections 5-248a and 31-595 
51kk to 31-51qq, inclusive, as amended by this act, may be provided 596 
[without compensation] with compensation, through the Family and 597 
Medical Leave Insurance Program established pursuant to section 2 of 598 
this act. 599 
(2) (A) An eligible employee may elect [, or an employer may 600 
require the employee,] to substitute any of the accrued paid vacation 601 
leave, personal leave or family leave of the employee for leave 602 
provided under subparagraph (A), (B) or (C) of subdivision (2) of 603 
subsection (a) of this section for any part of the [sixteen-week] twelve-604 
week period of such leave under said subsection or under subsection 605 
(i) of this section for any part of the twenty-six-week period of such 606 
leave. 607 
(B) An eligible employee may elect [, or an employer may require 608 
the employee,] to substitute any of the accrued paid vacation leave, 609 
personal leave, or medical or sick leave of the employee for leave 610 
provided under subparagraph (C), (D) or (E) of subdivision (2) of 611 
subsection (a) of this section for any part of the [sixteen-week] twelve-612 
week period of such leave under said subsection or under subsection 613 
(i) of this section for any part of the twenty-six-week period of leave, 614 
except that nothing in section 5-248a or sections 31-51kk to 31-51qq, 615 
inclusive, as amended by this act, shall require an employer to provide 616 
paid sick leave or paid medical leave in any situation in which such 617 
employer would not normally provide any such paid leave. 618  Substitute Bill No. 881 
 
 
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(f) (1) In any case in which the necessity for leave under 619 
subparagraph (A) or (B) of subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of this 620 
section is foreseeable based on an expected birth or placement of a son 621 
or daughter, the employee shall provide the employer with not less 622 
than thirty days' notice, before the date of the leave is to begin, of the 623 
employee's intention to take leave under said subparagraph (A) or (B), 624 
except that if the date of the birth or placement of a son or daughter 625 
requires leave to begin in less than thirty days, the employee shall 626 
provide such notice as is practicable. 627 
(2) In any case in which the necessity for leave under subparagraph 628 
(C), (D) or (E) of subdivision (2) of subsection (a) or under subsection 629 
(i) of this section is foreseeable based on planned medical treatment, 630 
the employee (A) shall make a reasonable effort to schedule the 631 
treatment so as not to disrupt unduly the operations of the employer, 632 
subject to the approval of the health care provider of the employee or 633 
the health care provider of the [son, daughter, spouse or parent of the 634 
employee] family member, as appropriate; and (B) shall provide the 635 
employer with not less than thirty days' notice, before the date the 636 
leave is to begin, of the employee's intention to take leave under said 637 
subparagraph (C), (D) or (E) or said subsection (i), except that if the 638 
date of the treatment requires leave to begin in less than thirty days, 639 
the employee shall provide such notice as is practicable. 640 
(g) In any case in which [a husband and wife] two spouses entitled 641 
to leave under subsection (a) of this section are employed by the same 642 
employer, the aggregate number of workweeks of leave to which both 643 
may be entitled may be limited to [sixteen] twelve workweeks during 644 
any [twenty-four-month] twelve-month period, if such leave is taken: 645 
(1) Under subparagraph (A) or (B) of subdivision (2) of subsection (a) 646 
of this section; or (2) to care for a sick [parent] family member under 647 
subparagraph (C) of said subdivision. In any case in which [a husband 648 
and wife] two spouses entitled to leave under subsection (i) of this 649 
section are employed by the same employer, the aggregate number of 650 
workweeks of leave to which both may be entitled may be limited to 651  Substitute Bill No. 881 
 
 
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twenty-six workweeks during any twelve-month period. 652 
(h) Unpaid leave taken pursuant to sections 5-248a and 31-51kk to 653 
31-51qq, inclusive, as amended by this act, shall not be construed to 654 
affect an employee's qualification for exemption under chapter 558.  655 
(i) Subject to section 31-51mm, as amended by this act, an eligible 656 
employee who is the spouse, son or daughter, parent or next of kin of a 657 
current member of the armed forces, as defined in section 27-103, who 658 
is undergoing medical treatment, recuperation or therapy, is otherwise 659 
in outpatient status or is on the temporary disability retired list for a 660 
serious injury or illness incurred in the line of duty shall be entitled to 661 
a one-time benefit of twenty-six workweeks of leave during any 662 
twelve-month period for each armed forces member per serious injury 663 
or illness incurred in the line of duty. Such twelve-month period shall 664 
commence on an employee's first day of leave taken to care for a 665 
covered armed forces member and end on the date twelve months 666 
after such first day of leave. For the purposes of this subsection, (1) 667 
"next of kin" means the armed forces member's nearest blood relative, 668 
other than the covered armed forces member's spouse, parent, son or 669 
daughter, in the following order of priority: Blood relatives who have 670 
been granted legal custody of the armed forces member by court 671 
decree or statutory provisions, brothers and sisters, grandparents, 672 
aunts and uncles, and first cousins, unless the covered armed forces 673 
member has specifically designated in writing another blood relative 674 
as his or her nearest blood relative or any other individual whose close 675 
association with the employee is the equivalent of a family member for 676 
purposes of military caregiver leave, in which case the designated 677 
individual shall be deemed to be the covered armed forces member's 678 
next of kin; and (2) "son or daughter" means a biological, adopted or 679 
foster child, stepchild, legal ward or child for whom the eligible 680 
employee or armed forces member stood in loco parentis and who is 681 
any age. 682 
(j) Leave taken pursuant to sections 31-51kk to 31-51qq, inclusive, as 683 
amended by this act, shall not run concurrently with the provisions of 684  Substitute Bill No. 881 
 
 
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section 31-313. 685 
(k) Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 5-248a and 31-51kk 686 
to 31-51qq, inclusive, as amended by this act, all further rights granted 687 
by federal law shall remain in effect.  688 
Sec. 16. Section 31-51mm of the general statutes is repealed and the 689 
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2019):  690 
(a) An employer may require that request for leave based on a 691 
serious health condition in subparagraph (C) or (D) of subdivision (2) 692 
of subsection (a) of section 31-51ll, as amended by this act, or leave 693 
based on subsection (i) of section 31-51ll, as amended by this act, be 694 
supported by a certification issued by the health care provider of the 695 
eligible employee or of the [son, daughter, spouse, parent or next of 696 
kin] family member of the employee, as appropriate. The employee 697 
shall provide, in a timely manner, a copy of such certification to the 698 
employer. 699 
(b) Certification provided under subsection (a) of this section shall 700 
be sufficient if it states: 701 
(1) The date on which the serious health condition commenced; 702 
(2) The probable duration of the condition; 703 
(3) The appropriate medical facts within the knowledge of the 704 
health care provider regarding the condition; 705 
(4) (A) For purposes of leave under subparagraph (C) of subdivision 706 
(2) of subsection (a) of section 31-51ll, as amended by this act, a 707 
statement that the eligible employee is needed to care for the [son, 708 
daughter, spouse or parent] family member and an estimate of the 709 
amount of time that such employee needs to care for the [son, 710 
daughter, spouse or parent] family member; and (B) for purposes of 711 
leave under subparagraph (D) of subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of 712 
section 31-51ll, as amended by this act, a statement that the employee 713  Substitute Bill No. 881 
 
 
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is unable to perform the functions of the position of the employee; 714 
(5) In the case of certification for intermittent leave or leave on a 715 
reduced leave schedule for planned medical treatment, the dates on 716 
which such treatment is expected to be given and the duration of such 717 
treatment; 718 
(6) In the case of certification for intermittent leave or leave on a 719 
reduced leave schedule under subparagraph (D) of subdivision (2) of 720 
subsection (a) of section 31-51ll, as amended by this act, a statement of 721 
the medical necessity of the intermittent leave or leave on a reduced 722 
leave schedule, and the expected duration of the intermittent leave or 723 
reduced leave schedule;  724 
(7) In the case of certification for intermittent leave or leave on a 725 
reduced leave schedule under subparagraph (C) of subdivision (2) of 726 
subsection (a) of section 31-51ll, as amended by this act, a statement 727 
that the employee's intermittent leave or leave on a reduced leave 728 
schedule is necessary for the care of the [son, daughter, parent or 729 
spouse] family member who has a serious health condition, or will 730 
assist in their recovery, and the expected duration and schedule of the 731 
intermittent leave or reduced leave schedule; and 732 
(8) In the case of certification for intermittent leave or leave on a 733 
reduced leave schedule under subsection (i) of section 31-51ll, as 734 
amended by this act, a statement that the employee's intermittent leave 735 
or leave on a reduced leave schedule is necessary for the care of the 736 
spouse, son or daughter, parent or next of kin who is a current member 737 
of the armed forces, as defined in section 27-103, who is undergoing 738 
medical treatment, recuperation or therapy, is otherwise in outpatient 739 
status or is on the temporary disability retired list, for a serious injury 740 
or illness incurred in the line of duty, and the expected duration and 741 
schedule of the intermittent leave or reduced leave schedule. For the 742 
purposes of this subsection, "son or daughter" and "next of kin" have 743 
the same meanings as provided in subsection (i) of section 31-51ll, as 744 
amended by this act. 745  Substitute Bill No. 881 
 
 
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(c) (1) In any case in which the employer has reason to doubt the 746 
validity of the certification provided under subsection (a) of this 747 
section for leave under subparagraph (C) or (D) of subdivision (2) of 748 
subsection (a) or under subsection (i) of section 31-51ll, as amended by 749 
this act, the employer may require, at the expense of the employer, that 750 
the eligible employee obtain the opinion of a second health care 751 
provider designated or approved by the employer concerning any 752 
information certified under subsection (b) of this section for such leave. 753 
(2) A health care provider designated or approved under 754 
subdivision (1) of this subsection shall not be employed on a regular 755 
basis by the employer. 756 
(d) (1) In any case in which the second opinion described in 757 
subsection (c) of this section differs from the opinion in the original 758 
certification provided under subsection (a) of this section, the 759 
employer may require, at the expense of the employer, that the 760 
employee obtain the opinion of a third health care provider designated 761 
or approved jointly by the employer and the employee concerning the 762 
information certified under subsection (b) of this section. 763 
(2) The opinion of the third health care provider concerning the 764 
information certified under subsection (b) of this section shall be 765 
considered to be final and shall be binding on the employer and the 766 
employee. 767 
(e) The employer may require that the eligible employee obtain 768 
subsequent recertifications on a reasonable basis, provided the 769 
standards for determining what constitutes a reasonable basis for 770 
recertification may be governed by a collective bargaining agreement 771 
between such employer and a labor organization wh ich is the 772 
collective bargaining representative of the unit of which the worker is 773 
a part if such a collective bargaining agreement is in effect. Unless 774 
otherwise required by the employee's health care provider, the 775 
employer may not require recertification more than once during a 776 
thirty-day period and, in any case, may not unreasonably require 777  Substitute Bill No. 881 
 
 
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recertification. The employer shall pay for any recertification that is not 778 
covered by the employee's health insurance.  779 
Sec. 17. Section 31-51oo of the general statutes is repealed and the 780 
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2019): 781 
Records and documents relating to medical certifications, 782 
recertifications or medical histories of employees or employees' family 783 
members, created for purposes of sections 5-248a and 31-51kk to 31-784 
51qq, inclusive, as amended by this act, and sections 2 to 13, inclusive, 785 
of this act, shall be maintained as medical records pursuant to chapter 786 
563a, except that: (1) Supervisors and managers may be informed 787 
regarding necessary restrictions on the work or duties of an employee 788 
and necessary accommodations; (2) first aid and safety personnel may 789 
be informed, when appropriate, if the employee's physical or medical 790 
condition might require emergency treatment; [and] (3) government 791 
officials investigating compliance with sections 5-248a and 31-51kk to 792 
31-51qq, inclusive, as amended by this act, and sections 2 to 13, 793 
inclusive, of this act, or other pertinent law shall be provided relevant 794 
information upon request; and (4) the administrator may maintain a 795 
record of employees who take leave to care for a family member, and 796 
of the identities of such family members, to ensure the integrity of the 797 
program.  798 
Sec. 18. Section 31-51pp of the general statutes is repealed and the 799 
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2019): 800 
(a) (1) It shall be a violation of sections 5-248a and 31-51kk to 31-801 
51qq, inclusive, as amended by this act, for any employer to interfere 802 
with, restrain or deny the exercise of, or the attempt to exercise, any 803 
right provided under said sections. 804 
(2) It shall be a violation of sections 5-248a and 31-51kk to 31-51qq, 805 
inclusive, as amended by this act, for any employer to discharge or 806 
cause to be discharged, or in any other manner discriminate, against 807 
any individual for opposing any practice made unlawful by said 808  Substitute Bill No. 881 
 
 
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sections or because such employee has exercised the rights afforded to 809 
such employee under said sections. 810 
(b) It shall be a violation of sections 5-248a and 31-51kk to 31-51qq, 811 
inclusive, as amended by this act, for any person to discharge or cause 812 
to be discharged, or in any other manner discriminate, against any 813 
individual because such individual: 814 
(1) Has filed any charge, or has instituted or caused to be instituted 815 
any proceeding, under or related to sections 5-248a and 31-51kk to 31-816 
51qq, inclusive, as amended by this act; 817 
(2) Has given, or is about to give, any information in connection 818 
with any inquiry or proceeding relating to any right provided under 819 
said sections; or 820 
(3) Has testified, or is about to testify, in any inquiry or proceeding 821 
relating to any right provided under said sections. 822 
(c) (1) It shall be a violation of sections 31-51kk to 31-51qq, inclusive, 823 
as amended by this act, for any employer to deny an employee the 824 
right to use up to two weeks of accumulated sick leave or to discharge, 825 
threaten to discharge, demote, suspend or in any manner discriminate 826 
against an employee for using, or attempting to exercise the right to 827 
use, up to two weeks of accumulated sick leave to attend to a serious 828 
health condition of a [son or daughter, spouse or parent of the 829 
employee] family member, or for the birth or adoption of a son or 830 
daughter of the employee. For purposes of this subsection, "sick leave" 831 
means an absence from work for which compensation is provided 832 
through an employer's bona fide written policy providing 833 
compensation for loss of wages occasioned by illness, but does not 834 
include absences from work for which compensation is provided 835 
through an employer's plan, including, but not limited to, a short or 836 
long-term disability plan, whether or not such plan is self-insured. 837 
(2) Any employee aggrieved by a violation of this subsection may 838 
file a complaint with the Labor Commissioner alleging violation of the 839  Substitute Bill No. 881 
 
 
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provisions of this subsection. Upon receipt of any such complaint, the 840 
commissioner shall conduct an investigation and make a finding 841 
regarding jurisdiction and whether a violation of sections 31-51kk to 842 
31-51qq, inclusive, as amended by this act, has occurred. If the 843 
commissioner makes a finding that the agency has no jurisdiction or 844 
that no violation of said sections has occurred, the commissioner shall 845 
dismiss the complaint and issue a release of jurisdiction allowing the 846 
complainant to bring a civil action in Superior Court. Any action 847 
brought by the complainant in accordance with this subdivision shall 848 
be brought not later than ninety days after the date of the receipt of the 849 
release from the commissioner. The employee may be awarded all 850 
appropriate relief, including rehiring or reinstatement to the 851 
employee's previous job, payment of back wages and reestablishment 852 
of employee benefits to which the employee otherwise would have 853 
been eligible if a violation of this subsection had not occurred, as well 854 
as attorney's fees. If the commissioner makes a finding that a violation 855 
of sections 31-51kk to 31-51qq, inclusive, as amended by this act, has 856 
occurred, there shall be a mandatory settlement conference and, in the 857 
absence of a settlement, the commissioner shall hold a hearing. After 858 
the hearing, the commissioner shall send each party a written copy of 859 
the commissioner's decision. The commissioner may award the 860 
employee all appropriate relief, including attorney's fees, rehiring or 861 
reinstatement to the employee's previous job, payment of back wages 862 
and reestablishment of employee benefits to which the employee 863 
otherwise would have been eligible if a violation of this subsection had 864 
not occurred. Any party aggrieved by the decision of the commissioner 865 
may appeal the decision to the Superior Court in accordance with the 866 
provisions of chapter 54. 867 
(3) The rights and remedies specified in this subsection are 868 
cumulative and nonexclusive and are in addition to any other rights or 869 
remedies afforded by contract or under other provisions of law.  870 
Sec. 19. Section 31-51qq of the general statutes is repealed and the 871 
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2019): 872  Substitute Bill No. 881 
 
 
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On or before [January 1, 1997] July 1, 2020, the Labor Commissioner 873 
shall adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 874 
54, to establish procedures and guidelines necessary to implement the 875 
provisions of sections [5-248a and] 31-51kk to 31-51qq, inclusive, as 876 
amended by this act, and sections 2 to 13, inclusive, of this act, 877 
including, but not limited to, procedures for hearings and redress, 878 
including restoration and restitution, for an employee who believes 879 
that there is a violation by the employer of such employee of any 880 
provision of said sections. [In adopting such regulations, the 881 
commissioner shall make reasonable efforts to ensure compatibility of 882 
state regulatory provisions with similar provisions of the federal 883 
Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 a nd the regulations 884 
promulgated pursuant to said act.]  885 
Sec. 20. Section 3-13c of the general statutes is repealed and the 886 
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2019): 887 
Trust funds as used in sections 3-13 to 3-13e, inclusive, and 3-31b 888 
shall be construed to include Connecticut Municipal Employees' 889 
Retirement Fund A, Connecticut Municipal Employees' Retirement 890 
Fund B, Soldiers, Sailors and Marines Fund, Family and Medical Leave 891 
Insurance Trust Fund, State's Attorneys' Retirement Fund, Teachers' 892 
Annuity Fund, Teachers' Pension Fund, Teachers' Survivorship and 893 
Dependency Fund, School Fund, State Employees Retirement Fund, 894 
the Hospital Insurance Fund, Policemen and Firemen Survivor's 895 
Benefit Fund and all other trust funds administered, held or invested 896 
by the State Treasurer.  897 
This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following 
sections: 
 
Section 1 from passage New section 
Sec. 2 from passage New section 
Sec. 3 from passage New section 
Sec. 4 from passage New section 
Sec. 5 from passage New section 
Sec. 6 from passage New section  Substitute Bill No. 881 
 
 
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Sec. 7 January 1, 2020 New section 
Sec. 8 from passage New section 
Sec. 9 from passage New section 
Sec. 10 July 1, 2021 New section 
Sec. 11 from passage New section 
Sec. 12 from passage New section 
Sec. 13 from passage New section 
Sec. 14 July 1, 2019 31-51kk 
Sec. 15 July 1, 2019 31-51ll 
Sec. 16 July 1, 2019 31-51mm 
Sec. 17 July 1, 2019 31-51oo 
Sec. 18 July 1, 2019 31-51pp 
Sec. 19 July 1, 2019 31-51qq 
Sec. 20 July 1, 2019 3-13c 
 
Statement of Legislative Commissioners:   
In Section 1(2), the reference to section "1-121" was changed to "1-120" 
for accuracy; In Section 2(c)(5), "such contributable" was changed to 
"such contribution" for accuracy; and punctuation and internal 
references were changed in Sections 1(5), 2(c)(2) and 17. 
 
LAB Joint Favorable Subst. -LCO