The Connecticut General Assembly is back in session and that means that proposals affecting employers are being considered in their earliest stages.

For example, at yesterday’s meeting of the Labor & Public Employees Committee several concepts were under consideration, including providing employees the option of not having to first file their employment discrimination claim with the CHRO, but instead proceeding directly to court. As part of this proposal, the employee would have a two year statute of limitation to bring such claims (up from 180 days under the current law).  That proposal has yet to be introduced as a formal measure yet.

But the work of the committee moves forward and the Committee has now scheduled a public hearing on various other proposals as well. That hearing is scheduled for February 18, 2010 at 3 p.m. The full agenda is listed here.  Among the proposals being floated is a bill that would ban the use of credit reports by employers, and another that would allow the use of debit cards to pay payroll. 

It’s much too early to make any predictions about this legislative session. Several proposals will never go beyond the committee and many are raised as favors to constituents.  Of course, we’re likely to see the paid sick leave bill be discussed yet again, but only time will tell whether the legislature will want to tackle that in a difficult budget year.

You can track the status of many of the labor-related bills here.