Labor and Public Employees Committee
JOINT FAVORABLE REPORT
Bill No.: HB-6477
AN ACT CONCERNING VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENTS AND
AMBULANCE COMPANIES AND THE DEFINITION OF EMPLOYER UNDER
Title: THE STATE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ACT.
Vote Date: 3/23/2021
Vote Action: Joint Favorable
PH Date: 3/4/2021
File No.:
Disclaimer: The following JOINT FAVORABLE Report is prepared for the benefit of the
members of the General Assembly, solely for purposes of information, summarization and
explanation and does not represent the intent of the General Assembly or either chamber
thereof for any purpose.
SPONSORS OF BILL:
Labor and Public Employees Committee
REASONS FOR BILL:
Some volunteer ambulance and fire departments were not covered by CONN-OHSA.
RESPONSE FROM ADMINISTRATION/AGENCY:
KURT WESTBY, COMMISSIONER, DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
This bill seeks to amend the definition of "employer" to ensure coverage of all CT volunteer
fire departments and volunteer ambulance departments by CONN-OSHA. Federal OSHA
has determined that it does not have jurisdiction over volunteer fire departments or volunteer
ambulance companies because of their affiliation with municipalities and their jurisdiction is
limited to private entities. Without this legislation, certain volunteer fire and ambulance
departments will not be held accountable under either state or federal low. The bill is critical
for the safety and health of first responders because CONN-OSHA will then be able to protect
them just as they do the career departments.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF SUPPORT:
None submitted.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF OPPOSITION:
None submitted.
Reported by: Marie Knudsen, Assistant Clerk Date: March 24, 2021
Page 2 of 2 HB-6477


Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 31-369
LAB Joint Favorable: 31-369
File No. 388: 31-369