Substitute Senate Bill No. 439, now Public Act No. 26-89, amends Section 31-48b of the general statutes regarding the use of electronic surveillance devices in employee lounges. The bill prohibits employers and their representatives from operating surveillance systems that record employees in areas designated for personal comfort, such as restrooms and locker rooms. However, it allows third-party vendors operating self-service kiosks in these lounges to use surveillance devices, provided they do not record sound or voice and only capture video of the checkout area and product display area. The third-party vendor is required to maintain sole custody of the video footage and can only release it under specific legal circumstances or in cases of reported theft by an employee.

Additionally, the bill introduces penalties for violations of these provisions, with fines escalating from $500 for the first offense to $1,000 for subsequent offenses, along with potential imprisonment for repeat violations. It also establishes that neither employers nor employees can record conversations related to employment contract negotiations without consent from all parties involved. The language of the bill replaces certain terms to ensure clarity, such as changing "his" to "such employer's" and "such employee's," and it emphasizes the importance of consent in recording discussions related to employment. The act is set to take effect on October 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 31-48b
LAB Joint Favorable Substitute: 31-48b
File No. 366: 31-48b
JUD Joint Favorable: 31-48b
Public Act No. 26-89: 31-48b