The proposed General Assembly Raised Bill No. 6955 establishes the liability of contractors for unpaid wages owed to employees of subcontractors in construction contracts, effective October 1, 2025. The bill introduces new legal language defining key terms such as "construction contract," "contractor," "employee," "owner," and "subcontractor." It mandates that contractors are jointly and severally liable for unpaid wages to employees of subcontractors with whom they have a direct contractual relationship. Additionally, contractors may include provisions in their contracts to address nonpayment of wages by subcontractors, ensuring that these provisions do not infringe upon employees' rights to pursue legal action for unpaid wages.

The legislation also requires contractors to request payroll records from subcontractors within thirty days and allows them to seek information about employees and independent contractors working under the construction contract. Noncompliance by subcontractors can lead to contractors withholding payments. The bill repeals and replaces existing language in section 31-72 of the general statutes, enhancing penalties for employers failing to comply with wage payment laws. It empowers the Labor Commissioner to collect unpaid wages and allows for legal action to recover double the owed amount, with employers responsible for court costs and attorney's fees. Employees or their labor organizations can file civil actions against contractors or subcontractors after providing a ten-day notice of the alleged violation, which can be waived under certain conditions.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 31-72