AN ACT CONCERNING STAFFING IN THE UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE BENEFITS DIVISION IN THE LABOR DEPARTMENT.

Labor

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Labor and Public Employees Committee
Last action: 2026-04-20
Official status: Favorable Report, Tabled for the Calendar, Senate
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide details about funding, hiring sources, and employee qualifications.

Increase Staff for Unemployment Insurance

The bill requires the Labor Commissioner to maintain current staffing levels and hire twenty-five additional employees by July 1, 2027, at the Unemployment Insurance Benefits Division.

What This Bill Does

Requires the Labor Commissioner to employ not fewer than the number of employees working in the Unemployment Insurance Benefits Division on September 30, 2025.
Adds twenty-five new hires by July 1, 2027, for processing and managing unemployment benefit claims.

Who It Names or Affects

The Labor Commissioner
Employees at the Unemployment Insurance Benefits Division

Terms To Know

Labor Commissioner: A person in charge of overseeing labor-related matters, including unemployment insurance.
Unemployment Insurance Benefits Division: The part of the Labor Department that handles claims for unemployment benefits.

Limits and Unknowns

Does not specify how these new hires will be funded.
It is unclear if there are any limits on where these employees can come from or what qualifications they need to have.

Bill History

2026-04-20 LCO
Filed with Legislative Commissioners' Office
2026-04-20 LCO
Reported Out of Legislative Commissioners' Office
2026-04-20 Connecticut General Assembly
No New File by Committee on Appropriations
2026-04-20 Connecticut General Assembly
Favorable Report, Tabled for the Calendar, Senate
2026-04-17 APP
Joint Favorable
2026-04-15 Connecticut General Assembly
Referred by Senate to Committee on Appropriations
2026-04-15 Connecticut General Assembly
Immediate Transmittal
2026-04-07 LCO
Reported Out of Legislative Commissioners' Office
2026-04-07 Connecticut General Assembly
Favorable Report, Tabled for the Calendar, Senate
2026-04-07 Connecticut General Assembly
Senate Calendar Number 275
2026-04-07 LCO
File Number 463
2026-03-30 LCO
Referred to Office of Legislative Research and Office of Fiscal Analysis 04/07/26 12:00 PM
2026-03-19 LAB
Joint Favorable Substitute
2026-03-19 LCO
Filed with Legislative Commissioners' Office
2026-03-06 Connecticut General Assembly
Public Hearing 03/10
2026-02-26 Connecticut General Assembly
Referred to Joint Committee on Labor and Public Employees

Official Summary Text

To increase the number of staff at the Unemployment Insurance Benefits Division in the Labor Department.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

LCO 1 of 1

General Assembly Substitute Bill No. 354
February Session, 2026

AN ACT CONCERNING STAFFING IN THE UNEMPLOYMENT
INSURANCE BENEFITS DIVISION IN THE LABOR DEPARTMENT.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General
Assembly convened:

Section 1. (Effective from passage) (a) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 1
2027, the Labor Commissioner shall employ not fewer than the number 2
of employees at the Unemployment Insurance Benefits Division within 3
the Labor Department employed at such division on September 30, 2025. 4
(b) Not later than July 1, 2027, the Labor Commissioner shall hire an 5
additional twenty -five employees to such division for the purpose of 6
processing and administering unemployment benefit claims. 7
This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following
sections:

Section 1 from passage New section

LAB Joint Favorable Subst.
APP Joint Favorable