Substitute House Bill No. 6842 seeks to amend labor relations and minimum wage standards specifically for employees at cannabis establishments in Connecticut. The bill mandates the Department of Labor to maintain and update a list of bona fide labor organizations representing cannabis workers. It introduces the concept of a "labor peace agreement," which is a contract between cannabis establishments and labor organizations that prevents strikes and lockouts while ensuring disputes are resolved through binding arbitration. Provisional cannabis licensees must enter into these agreements to receive final license approval.

A significant aspect of the bill is the explicit provision that gratuities will not be recognized as part of the minimum fair wage for cannabis employees, ensuring they receive at least the state minimum wage. The bill prohibits the labor commissioner from counting tips towards this minimum wage requirement and establishes that any cannabis establishment paying below the minimum wage is in violation of the law. Importantly, the bill does not change the existing "tip credit" law applicable to other industries, such as hospitality. The effective date for the bill is set for October 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 31-60
LAB Joint Favorable Substitute:
File No. 507: