Substitute House Bill No. 6955 introduces new obligations for contractors regarding the payment of wages owed to employees of subcontractors involved in construction contracts, effective October 1, 2025. The bill establishes that contractors will be jointly and severally liable for any unpaid wages owed to subcontractor employees, allowing these employees or labor organizations to initiate civil actions against either the subcontractor or the contractor for wage recovery. A key provision requires employees to provide contractors with at least 30 days' notice of any alleged wage violations before filing a lawsuit, unless prior notice has already been given. Furthermore, any contractual clauses that attempt to waive the contractor's liability for unpaid wages will be deemed unenforceable.

The bill also amends Section 31-72 of the general statutes to align definitions of "construction contract," "contractor," and "subcontractor" with the new provisions. It specifies that construction contracts include agreements for construction, renovation, or rehabilitation, while excluding certain public works and home improvement contracts under specific conditions. Overall, the legislation aims to enhance accountability in wage payments within the construction industry while safeguarding the rights of all parties involved, without imposing additional financial burdens on the state or municipalities.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 31-72
LAB Joint Favorable Substitute: 31-72
File No. 353: 31-72