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HB 6955 Connecticut House · 2025 Regular Session

AN ACT CONCERNING A CONTRACTOR'S RESPONSIBILITY FOR UNPAID WAGES ON A CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT.

HB 6955 requires construction contractors to pay workers directly if subcontractors fail to pay their wages, effective October 1, 2025. It applies to most commercial construction projects (excluding public works and most residential renovations, like single-family homes or small apartment complexes under 15 units). Contractors become jointly liable for unpaid wages owed by subcontractors, though they may include contract terms for subcontractor nonpayment as long as workers' legal rights remain intact. The bill updates wage recovery laws to clarify contractor responsibility and strengthen enforcement for unpaid labor on covered projects.
Issues: ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates contractors pay workers directly if subcontractors default, protecting wage rights and strengthening enforcement under employment standards.95% confidence
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Feb 13, 2025 Last action Mar 31, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Raised Bill → LAB Joint Favorable Substitute · 5 edits
MODERATE
The bill was revised to simplify contractor liability for unpaid wages on construction projects and restructure the legal framework for wage enforcement. The new version broadens the definition of who can be held liable, clarifies when contracts are excluded, and replaces the previous wage enforcement section with a more comprehensive provision that allows employees to sue both contractors and subcontractors directly.
Scope change
The bill now applies to contracts entered into on or after October 1, 2025, and expands liability to include contractors for unpaid wages owed to employees of subcontractors at any tier within the construction contract chain.
DEFINITION

The definition of 'construction contract' was expanded to include contracts between owners and contractors, clarifying the scope of covered agreements.

ELIGIBILITY

The definition of 'subcontractor' was updated to include any entity performing work at any tier within the scope of a construction contract, regardless of direct contractual relationship with the contractor.

ENFORCEMENT

Section 2 was completely rewritten to replace the previous payroll record request provisions with a new Section 31-72 that allows employees to sue for unpaid wages directly against contractors and subcontractors.

REQUIREMENT

The liability provision was simplified to remove specific tier limitations, making contractors jointly and severally liable for unpaid wages owed to employees of subcontractors at any level.

TECHNICAL

The bill number designation changed from 'Raised Bill' to 'Substitute Bill' to reflect its status as a joint substitute version approved by legislative committees.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
9
Key actions
1
Committee
2
Mar 13, 2025
Lower · Passed
Joint Favorable Substitute
lower
Feb 13, 2025
Committee
REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Labor and Public Employees
lower
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.