Public Hearing Testimony of Commissioner Danté Bartolomeo
Department of Labor
Labor and Public Employees Committee
March 10, 2026
Good Morning 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 written testimony regarding HB 5494: AN ACT CONCERNING A STUDY OF YOUTH EMPLOYMENT CLASSIFICATION, SB 437: AN ACT CONCERNING A STUDY OF MINORS AT LEAST SIXTEEN YEARS OF AGE IN THE WORKPLACE, and SB 441: AN ACT REQUIRING A STUDY OF LABOR LAW VIOLATIONS BY LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANIES AND OTHER BUSINESS ENTITIES. My name is Danté Bartolomeo and I am the Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Labor (CTDOL).
As currently drafted, HB 5494 would require CTDOL to conduct a study of youth employment classifications that “shall include, but need not be limited to: (1) An analysis of current work-based learning experience programs for minors that require payment of the minimum fair wage, and (2) the benefits and considerations necessary to reclassify such work-based learning experience programs in order to allow such programs to be eligible to provide stipends to minors participating in such programs in lieu of payment of the fair minimum wage.” While we appreciate the proponent’s goal of examining work-based learning experiences available to minors, CTDOL does not have the staff capacity to conduct such comprehensive study within available appropriations. We would, however, be open to serving on a task force or working group that would examine the issue.
SB 437 would require CTDOL to study positions that minors who are sixteen and seventeen years of age are currently prohibited from holding under state and federal law. CTDOL’s Wage and Workplace Standards Division (WWSD) already provides a lengthy list of such occupations and does not have the capacity to conduct such a comprehensive study within available appropriations.
SB 441 would require CTDOL, in consultation with the Secretary of the State’s office, the Department of Revenue Services, and the Department of Administrative Services, to study the potential for members of a limited liability company or other business entity to circumvent certain labor laws by establishing a new business entity. While we appreciate the proponent’s goal of addressing non-compliance with labor laws, CTDOL does not have the staff capacity to conduct a comprehensive study on these issues within available appropriations. We would, however, be open to serving on a task force or working group that would examine the issue.
Thank you for the opportunity to provide you with this written testimony regarding these proposals. My staff and I are reachable to further discuss HB 5494, SB 437, and SB 441 by directing any questions you may have to Billy Taylor, Legislative and Administrative Advisor at william.b.taylor@ct.gov or 203-947-4136.
