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SB 271 Connecticut Senate · 2026 Regular Session

AN ACT IMPLEMENTING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE LABOR DEPARTMENT.

This bill amends labor laws to limit workweeks to six days for most commercial and industrial employees, protecting them from dismissal for refusing to work seven days. It also revises unemployment rules to require medical documentation for individuals seeking part-time work due to chronic health conditions while claiming benefits. These changes directly affect workers in covered industries and employers who must comply with the new workweek limits and benefit eligibility standards. The provisions take effect October 1, 2026, as specified in Sections 4 and 1 of the bill.
Issues: ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentLimits workweeks to six days with dismissal protection and requires medical docs for benefits eligibility, strengthening worker protections under Labor & Employment.95% confidence
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Apr 2026
Senate Passage
Apr 2026
House Passage
Governor
Introduced Feb 19, 2026 Last action May 1, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Raised Bill → LAB Joint Favorable Substitute · 4 edits
MODERATE
The bill was renamed from a 'Raised Bill' to a 'Substitute Bill' and its page count increased from 11 to 17 pages, indicating a significant expansion of content. The most substantive change involves a complete rewrite of the appeals process for employees discharged in violation of work-hour limits, shifting authority from the State Board of Mediation and Arbitration to the Labor Commissioner. Additionally, the effective date for a new unemployment benefits notification program was moved from October 1 to July 1.
Scope change
The bill's scope expanded to include a new section establishing a program for notifying employees of unemployment benefits upon termination, replacing a previous section regarding motor vehicle records.
ENFORCEMENT

The appeals process for illegal discharge due to work-hour violations was rewritten to transfer authority from the State Board of Mediation and Arbitration to the Labor Commissioner, who can now order remedies like reinstatement.

TIMELINE

The effective date for the new unemployment benefits notification program was changed from October 1, 2026, to July 1, 2026.

REQUIREMENT

A new requirement was added for the administrator to develop a program ensuring employees receive adequate information about unemployment compensation benefits when they are terminated.

DEFINITION

A previous definition regarding the disclosure of motor vehicle records was removed and replaced with the new unemployment benefits notification requirement.

Floor votes · Senate Apr 30, 2026

How they voted

35–0
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 36
Apr 30, 2026
D Democratic25
25 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican11
10 Yea 1
90% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
19
Key actions
3
Committee
3
Apr 30, 2026
Upper · Passed
SENATE PASSED
upper
Apr 10, 2026
Upper · Passed
Joint Favorable
upper
Mar 5, 2026
Upper · Passed
Joint Favorable Substitute
upper
Feb 19, 2026
Committee
REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Labor and Public Employees
upper
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.