Substitute House Bill No. 6955 introduces new responsibilities for contractors regarding unpaid wages owed to employees of subcontractors involved in construction contracts, effective October 1, 2025. The bill defines key terms such as "construction contract," "contractor," "subcontractor," "employee," and "owner," and establishes that contractors will be jointly and severally liable for any unpaid wages owed to subcontractor employees. Contractors are allowed to include provisions in their contracts with subcontractors that outline remedies for nonpayment of wages, as long as these provisions do not infringe on employees' rights to pursue legal action for unpaid wages.

Furthermore, the bill amends Section 31-72 of the general statutes, enabling employees or their labor organizations to file civil actions against subcontractors or contractors for unpaid wages. It mandates that employees must notify the contractor of any alleged violations at least thirty days prior to initiating legal action, unless prior notice has been given for similar violations. The bill also clarifies that any contractual attempts to waive or release a contractor's liability for unpaid wages will be unenforceable. Overall, the legislation aims to protect employees' rights to receive their wages while balancing the responsibilities of contractors and subcontractors in the construction industry.

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