HARTFORD, Conn. (WTIC Radio) - Connecticut Senate Democrats are proposing legislation this session that expands worker protections, increases online privacy rights for consumers and provides new training opportunities for small businesses.
Several worker protection proposals are being grouped under "An Act Protecting Connecticut Workers." According to Senate Democrats, many, if not all, of the proposals are in response to the severe impact the pandemic has had on workers over the past two years.
The proposals include pandemic pay for Connecticut's essential workers, a fair work week schedule which requires certain employers to provide advanced notice of an employee's work schedule and a way to waive repayment requirements for unemployment benefit recipients who were overpaid during the 2020 state Labor Department overpayment.
Democrats are also proposing an expansion of Connecticut paid sick days, an extension of post-traumatic stress injury compensation claims coverage to all Connecticut employees and additional protections for warehouse workers.
After failing to get a consumer privacy bill through the legislature last year, Senate Democrats are introducing an improved bill with new privacy rights for consumers.
Under Senate Bill 6, companies would be required to cite a privacy policy informing consumers of what data is being collected, how it's being used and why.
The bill includes additional rights for consumers beyond knowing what data is collected, such as the right to correct and export the data that is being collected, the right to delete personal information held by businesses and the right to opt-out of sale of personal information.
Given the spike in online shopping since the start of the pandemic, Senate Democrats are also proposing legislation that would expand the state's debt-free community college program to include free online commerce courses for small businesses.
These courses would help small businesses create or improve their online visibility and marketing, officials said.
Additional information about senate bills being considered this legislative session is available on the Connecticut General Assembly website.