Substitute House Bill No. 6842 seeks to amend labor relations and minimum wage standards specifically for employees at cannabis establishments in Connecticut. The bill introduces the concepts of a "bona fide labor organization" and a "labor peace agreement," requiring cannabis establishments to enter into labor peace agreements with recognized labor unions to obtain or maintain their licenses. It also sets forth criteria for labor unions to be included on a department-maintained list, emphasizing representation, financial transparency, and organizational integrity.

A significant aspect of the bill is the explicit provision that gratuities will not be recognized as part of the minimum fair wage for employees at cannabis establishments, ensuring that these workers receive at least the state minimum wage as defined in section 31-58. The bill clarifies that any cannabis establishment that pays an employee less than the minimum wage is in violation of the law, while the existing "tip credit" law for the hospitality industry remains unchanged. The effective date for these amendments is October 1, 2025, and the bill is anticipated to have no fiscal impact on the state or municipalities. The Labor and Public Employees Committee has favorably reported the bill with a vote of 9 in favor and 4 against.

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