Researcher: KLM Page 1 3/30/22
OLR Bill Analysis
SB 347
AN ACT CREDITING MILITARY TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE
TOWARD CERTAIN LICENSES RELATED TO SUBSURFACE
SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEMS.
SUMMARY
This bill establishes a process by which someone with military
experience may qualify to sit for the Department of Public Health (DPH)
subsurface sewage disposal system installer or cleaner licensing exam
without having to obtain an apprentice’s permit first (see
BACKGROUND and COMMENT).
Existing law allows a person, within two years of discharge from the
armed forces, to apply to the labor department’s apprenticeship training
program to have his or her military experience satisfy requirements for
conducting certain trades in Connecticut. The bill includes a DPH
apprenticeship permit for subsurface sewage disposal work as a
qualification for which the labor commissioner may substitute
someone’s military experience.
Under the bill, if the labor commissioner determines that an
applicant’s military training is equivalent to the DPH apprentice permit
for subsurface sewage disposal system work, she must issue the
applicant a recommendation for review by DPH. The bill (1) requires
DPH to allow an applicant with the recommendation to take the
licensure examination without having to obtain an apprentice’s permit
and (2) specifies that the recommendation is sufficient to show
competency, requisite skill, and the ability to comply with applicable
laws and regulations. For these applicants, the bill also waives the $50
installer license fee and $20 cleaner license fee.
Lastly, the bill makes technical and conforming changes.
EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 2022 2022SB-00347-R000226-BA.DOCX
Researcher: KLM Page 2 3/30/22
BACKGROUND
Subsurface Sewage Disposal System Work
A subsurface sewage disposal system is a septic tank and its
associated leaching pits, trenches, beds, or galleries. A system installer
is someone licensed to construct, install, repair, clean, or service these
systems. A system cleaner is licensed only to clean or service them (CGS
§ 20-341a).
COMMENT
Apprenticeship Permit Not a Prerequisite for Exam
The bill allows individuals with certain military experience to obtain
a recommendation for review from the labor department to enable them
to sit for the subsurface sewage disposal system licensing exams
without first obtaining a DPH apprentice’s permit. Under existing law,
DPH issues one-year apprentice’s permits for those who will work
under the supervision of a licensed subsurface sewage disposal system
installer or cleaner. These permits, however, are not required to sit for
the licensing exams.
COMMITTEE ACTION
Veterans’ Affairs Committee
Joint Favorable
Yea 16 Nay 0 (03/15/2022)