Substitute House Bill No. 7060 aims to improve transportation worker safety in Connecticut by establishing a mandatory highway work zone and roadside vehicle safety awareness program for motor vehicle operator's license applicants and individuals convicted of specific violations related to highway work zones. The program will cover safe motor vehicle operation, dangers in highway work zones, and proper interactions with emergency vehicles, and will be available in various formats, including in-person and distance learning. Organizations or driving schools wishing to conduct the program must meet specific requirements, including maintaining a surety bond and submitting a detailed curriculum for approval. The bill also designates Connecticut Special Service Road 495 as the "Andrew DiDomenico Memorial Highway" and Bridge No. 01241 as the "State Trooper First Class Aaron M. Pelletier Memorial Bridge."

Additionally, the bill introduces new requirements for applicants aged sixteen or seventeen, mandating the completion of a comprehensive training program that includes a minimum of forty hours of behind-the-wheel instruction and an eight-hour safe driving practices course. Starting October 1, 2025, these applicants must also complete the highway work zone and roadside vehicle safety awareness program. The bill modifies existing legal language by replacing "instruction" with "practices" in the context of the safe driving course and allows for waivers for applicants with valid licenses from other states. It sets a maximum fee of $150 for the safe driving practices course and outlines the DMV's authority to adopt regulations for the program. The bill repeals subsection (d) of section 14-36 of the general statutes, which is part of the existing law related to motor vehicle operator's licenses, and eliminates previous provisions that would have increased penalties for certain driving offenses in highway work zones.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 14-37b, 14-222, 14-296aa, 14-298
TRA Joint Favorable Substitute: 14-37b, 14-222, 14-296aa
File No. 558: 14-37b, 14-222, 14-296aa
JUD Joint Favorable Substitute: 14-37b
File No. 842: 14-37b