Researcher: DC Page 1 4/8/25
OLR Bill Analysis
SB 1465
AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE COMMISSIONER OF CONSUMER
PROTECTION TO ALLOW CERTAIN SKILLED TRADE LICENSEES
TO DEVIATE FROM CERTAIN SKILLED TRADE HIRING RATIOS.
SUMMARY
Existing law sets a hiring ratio that certain trades must follow (see
BACKGROUND) . The hiring ratio requires a certain number of licensed
journeypersons or contractors before another apprentice may be hired
in the following trades: electrical; plumbing; heating, piping, and
cooling; sprinkler fitter; and sheet metal work.
Under this bill, the Department of Consumer Protection (DCP)
commissioner may allow a licensed contractor in one of these fields to
hire one or more additional apprentices even if the contractor does not
employ enough licensees to satisfy the hiring ratio under certain
conditions.
The contractor must apply to DCP, in a way the commissioner sets,
for each apprentice. The application must (1) disclose the contractor’s
and apprentice’s name, (2) demonstrate good cause exists for the
commissioner to allow the apprentice to be hired, and (3) include any
other information the commissioner deems relevant.
The commissioner may allow the apprentice to be hired if he
determines after reviewing the application that good cause exists.
Within 10 business days after a contractor submits an application, the
commissioner must (1) complete the application review, (2) determine
whether good cause exists to allow the apprentice to be hired, and (3)
send notice to the contractor disclosing his decision. If the commissioner
does not send notice to the contractor within this time period, the
contractor’s application is deemed approved. 2025SB-01465-R000582-BA.DOCX
Researcher: DC Page 2 4/8/25
The bill allows the DCP commissioner to amend regulations to
implement these provisions.
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2025
BACKGROUND
Hiring Ratios
Connecticut law and regulations set a hiring ratio for the following
trades: electrical; plumbing; heating, piping, and cooling; sprinkler
fitter; and sheet metal work (CGS § 20-332b and Conn. Agency Regs., §
20-332-15a). The below table provides the number of licensed
journeypersons or contractors a company must have before hiring
apprentices.
Table: Hiring Ratios of Apprentices to Licensed
Journeypersons or Contractors
Apprentices Licensees (Journeypersons or
Contractors)
1 1
2 2
3 3
4 6
5 9
6 12
7 15
8 18
9 21
10* 24*
*If there are 11 or more apprentices, the ratio continues at 1:3 (apprentice to licensees).
Ratio Relief
Employers may currently request an exception to the ratio schedule
from the Connecticut Department of Labor (i.e. “ratio relief”).
COMMITTEE ACTION
General Law Committee
Joint Favorable
Yea 21 Nay 0 (03/21/2025)