The proposed bill, General Assembly Committee Bill No. 829, aims to amend the definition of "hours worked" in section 31-76b of the general statutes. The bill replaces the existing language to clarify that "hours worked" includes all time an employee is required to be on the employer's premises, on duty, or at the prescribed workplace, as well as time spent waiting on the premises without work and time spent in security screenings mandated by the employer. Additionally, it specifies that employees on call for emergency service must be compensated for that time, regardless of whether they are called to work.

The bill also introduces provisions for individuals employed by third-party providers for companionship services, allowing for a written agreement to exclude a scheduled sleeping period of up to eight hours from hours worked, provided certain conditions are met. The effective date for these changes is set for October 1, 2025. Overall, the bill seeks to enhance clarity regarding what constitutes work hours, particularly in relation to security screenings and on-call duties, thereby ensuring fair compensation for employees.