Substitute House Bill No. 7195 seeks to amend the unemployment benefits provisions for paraeducators in Connecticut by repealing and replacing subsection (d) of section 31-227 of the general statutes. The bill removes the previous language that denied benefits during breaks between academic years or terms and introduces new criteria for establishing "reasonable assurance" of continued employment. Specifically, it requires that paraeducators receive a written, oral, or implied offer of employment from an authorized school district employee, ensuring that the offer guarantees at least 90% of their previous wages and is not contingent on factors within the school district's control. The bill also mandates that local and regional boards of education submit lists to the Department of Labor (DOL) identifying paraeducators with and without reasonable assurance of returning to work.

Additionally, the bill clarifies that the determination of reasonable assurance will be made on a case-by-case basis by the DOL, taking into account various factors such as the individual's past performance and the likelihood of continued employment. The effective date for these changes is set for July 1, 2025, and the bill is expected to incur costs for the DOL and local school districts due to new reporting requirements and potential increases in unemployment claims. Overall, the legislation aims to provide clearer guidelines and protections for paraeducators seeking unemployment benefits while aligning with federal standards.