Public Hearing Testimony of Commissioner Danté Bartolomeo
Department of Labor
Labor and Public Employees Committee
February 24, 2026
Good afternoon Senator Kushner, Representative Sanchez, Senator Sampson, Representative Weir and members of the Labor and Public Employees Committee. Thank you for the opportunity to provide you with this written testimony regarding H.B. 5280 AN ACT CONCERNING A NONCHARGE FOR EMPLOYEES PAID UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS THROUGH THE SHARED WORK PROGRAM DURING PERIODS OF HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT. My name is Danté Bartolomeo, and I am the Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Labor (CTDOL).
HB 5280 seeks to enact statutory language regarding the Shared Work Non-Charge provision created by P.A. 21-200: AN ACT RESTRUCTURING UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE BENEFITS AND IMPROVING FUND SOLVENCY. This provision was repealed in P.A. 25-117: AN ACT IMPLEMENTING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE LABOR DEPARTMENT (§ 5). Among other things, P.A. 25-117 eliminated a provision that permitted a non-charge for employees who were paid benefits through the Shared Work program for claims filed in a week in which the state’s average unemployment rate was 6.5% or more. The new legislative proposal, HB 5280 would reinstate a non-charge provision to employers participating in the Shared Work program during times of high unemployment insurance.
CTDOL has operated a Shared Work program since 1993 (through the passage of Public Act 93- 243) and has found that the Shared Work program has been an invaluable assistance to employers in Connecticut, especially in times of economic recession, such as during the Great Recession and the COVID-19 pandemic.
In P.A. 21-200 there was a section that implemented a non-charge provision for base period taxable employers which would go into effect when Connecticut is triggered onto Extended Benefits or High Extended Benefits based upon a rapid increase in claims over a given period. This provision was similar to that which USDOL authorized during the pandemic to assist employers retain knowledgeable workers, to the benefit of the workforce overall.
When originally included in P.A. 21-200, the provision was reviewed by USDOL who expressed no concerns. However, last year CTDOL was alerted to the determination by USDOL that this provision is non-compliant with federal law. CTDOL was directed not utilize this provision until official approval is granted. The provision was then removed from P.A. 25-117. At the time, we committed to the legislature that we would work with our federal partners on restoring this provision and are optimistic that it will be approved before the end of the 2026 Legislative Session. If we do receive approval, HB 5280 will allow CTDOL to restore the provision when the bill takes effect.
Thank you for the opportunity to provide you with this testimony. My team and I look forward to working with you on this important legislation throughout the session.
