Connecticut House Passes Bipartisan Labor Bill

0:00Connecticut's house just pushed through a big bipartisan labor bill, House Bill 5,03, on a vote of 117-2, 29. It tackles wage theft and construction, set standards for hospital nurses, protects service workers' jobs during company changes, boosts crane safety. As breastfeeding accommodations and covers compensation for workers, assaulted on the job, they even clarified minimum wage rules for cannabis workers and minor league baseball players. The bill got a major rewrite Monday night after starting a separate piece's last Thursday. Republicans, though a small minority, shaped it by spotting issues and pushing fixes, like softening penalties on businesses for wage transparency and protecting small builders from subcontractor problems. Speaker Matt Ritter called it a win for real talk over bickering, saying his diverse Democratic group felt better voting yes after tweaks. Republican leader Vincent Candelora praised getting industry voices at the table, while Rep Steve Weir flip from no to yes, noting it was the sixth, version since Friday.

1:05Labor groups like the Carpenter's Union celebrated the general contractor liability for sub's wage theft, a long time goal. It also ups workers' calm for assault victims and health care, and schools from 75 to 100% of lost wages and shield service. Workers for 90 days post sale. Now it heads to the Senate for what looks like smooth passage before the May 6 deadline. Those house state houses can grind out compromises that DC could learn from. From your city, powered by AI, this is Hartford News Today.