02/28/2023
February 23, 2023 Labor and Public Employees Committee SB 831
Public Hearing Testimony of
Danté Bartolomeo
Commissioner
Department of Labor
Labor and Public Employees Committee
February 23, 2023
Good Morning Senator Kushner, Representative Sanchez, Senator Sampson, Representative Ackert and members of the Labor and Public Employees Committee. Thank you for the opportunity to provide you with written testimony regarding S.B. 831 AN ACT CONCERNING AMUSEMENT PARKS AND THE EMPLOYMENT OF INDIVIDUALS AT LEAST FOURTEEN YEARS OF AGE. My name is Danté Bartolomeo and I am the Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Labor.
Keeping minors safe in the workplace is a top priority of the CT Department of Labor (CTDOL). SB 831 seeks to allow amusement parks to hire individuals who are at least fourteen years of age to perform nonhazardous jobs. As currently drafted, SB 831 reads:
“That chapter 557 of the general statutes be amended to allow individuals who are at least fourteen years of age to be employed in nonhazardous jobs at amusement parks, including, but not limited to, cashier positions, clerical work, ticket sales and concession sales”.
The “but not limited to” clause would open the door for amusement parks to hire individuals who are at least fourteen years of age for more hazardous jobs than just cashier positions, clerical work, ticket sales and concession sales. CGS 31-23 (b) already allows a minor who has reached the age of fourteen to be employed as a caddie or in a pro shop at any municipal or private golf course, and a minor who has reached the age of fifteen to be employed in any mercantile establishment, as a bagger, cashier or stock clerk as long as other established work guidelines in CGS 31-23 are met.
CTDOL respectfully requests that in line 4 of SB 831, the words “concession sales” be deleted. Very often “concession sales" involve hazardous equipment. Further, in line 3 of SB 831, we request that the Committee delete the word “not”: but [not] limited to, to clarify that employment of fourteen-year-olds at amusement parks beyond the scope of positions listed is prohibited. Additionally, all other employment of minors’ provisions as outlined in CGS 31-23 must be adhered to as well.
Thank you for the opportunity to provide you with this written testimony. We are available to answer any questions you may have as you move forward with drafting this proposal.
Connecticut Department of Labor • www.ct.gov/dol
An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer