Connecticut § 31-71l - l . Domestic workers education and training grants program.

§ 31-71l. l . Domestic workers education and training grants program.

Sec. 31-71l. Domestic workers education and training grants program. (a) As used in this section:

(1) “Domestic worker” means any employee who is paid or who is told he or she will be paid to perform work of a domestic nature in or about a private dwelling, including, but not limited to, housekeeping, laundering, meal preparation, home companion, home management or child care services or the caretaking of individuals, including sick, convalescing and elderly individuals, or other household services for occupants of the private dwelling or the guests of such occupants. “Domestic worker” does not include (A) any individual providing babysitting services on an irregular or intermittent basis; or (B) a personal care attendant, as defined in section 17b-706 providing services pursuant to a state-funded program, including, but not limited to, (i) the program for individuals with acquired brain injuries, established pursuant to section 17b-260a, (ii) the personal care assistance program, established pursuant to section 17b-605a, (iii) the Connecticut home-care program for the elderly, established pursuant to section 17b-342, (iv) the pilot program to provide home care services to disabled persons, established pursuant to section 17b-617, (v) the individual and family support waiver program administered by the Department of Developmental Services, or (vi) the comprehensive waiver program administered by the Department of Developmental Services;

(2) “Nonprofit organization” means any organization that is exempt from taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or any subsequent corresponding internal revenue code of the United States, as amended from time to time; and

(3) “Qualified organization” means: (A) Any nonprofit organization that has not less than five years of experience working with domestic workers; or (B) any organization that works with a nonprofit organization that has not less than five years of experience advocating for domestic workers or other low-wage workers.

(b) The commissioner shall establish a domestic workers education and training grants program to provide grants to qualified organizations for the following purposes:

(1) To provide education and training for domestic workers and employers addressing laws regarding minimum wage, overtime, sick leave, record-keeping, wage adjudication and retaliation and the requirements of subsection (b) of section 31-71f;

(2) To provide one or more online resources for domestic workers and employers on state laws and regulations relating to domestic workers; and

(3) To provide technical and legal assistance to domestic workers and employers through legal service providers.

(c) The commissioner may enter into an agreement pursuant to chapter 55a, with a person, firm or corporation to administer the grants program established pursuant to subsection (b) of this section.

(d) The commissioner, in consultation with such person, firm or corporation, if applicable, shall create guidelines necessary for the administration of the provisions of this section.

(June Sp. Sess. P.A. 21-2, S. 5.)