House Bill No. 5276 amends the definition of "employer" under the Connecticut Occupational Safety and Health Act (Conn-OSHA) to include volunteer fire departments and volunteer ambulance companies, effective October 1, 2026. The bill repeals and replaces subsection (d) of section 31-367, stating that "employer" now encompasses the state, its political subdivisions, and these volunteer organizations, unless they are regulated by federal OSHA law. Additionally, it modifies subsection (a) of section 31-369 to clarify that Conn-OSHA applies to all employers and employees in the state, with specific exceptions, including those volunteer organizations that fall under federal regulation.

The bill aims to ensure that volunteer fire departments and ambulance companies adhere to state workplace safety regulations, addressing a gap identified in previous legal interpretations, such as the Mayfield v. Goshen Volunteer Fire Company case. This change does not impose any new fiscal impacts on the state or municipalities, as the Department of Labor has historically included these entities within its jurisdiction.