Bill Text: CT HB05299 | 2014 | General Assembly | Chaptered
Bill Title: An Act Concerning The Findings Of The Military Occupational Specialty Task Force.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Passed) 2014-06-06 - Signed by the Governor [HB05299 Detail]
Download: Connecticut-2014-HB05299-Chaptered.html
Substitute House Bill No. 5299
AN ACT CONCERNING THE FINDINGS OF THE MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY TASK FORCE.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:
Section 1. Subsection (b) of section 7-294d of the 2014 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2014):
(b) No person may be employed as a police officer by any law enforcement unit for a period exceeding one year unless such person has been certified under the provisions of subsection (a) of this section or has been granted an extension by the council. No person may serve as a police officer during any period when such person's certification has been cancelled or revoked pursuant to the provisions of subsection (c) of this section. In addition to the requirements of this subsection, the council may establish other qualifications for the employment of police officers and require evidence of fulfillment of these qualifications. The certification of any police officer who is not employed by a law enforcement unit for a period of time in excess of two years, unless such officer is on leave of absence, shall be considered lapsed. Upon reemployment as a police officer, such officer shall apply for recertification in a manner provided by the council. The council shall certify any applicant who presents evidence of satisfactory completion of a program or course of instruction in another state or, if the applicant is a veteran or a member of the armed forces or the National Guard, as part of training during service in the armed forces, that is equivalent in content and quality to that required in this state, provided such applicant passes an examination or evaluation as required by the council. For the purposes of this section, "veteran" means any person who was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable from active service in the armed forces and "armed forces" has the same meaning as provided in section 27-103.
Sec. 2. Subsection (e) of section 14-36 of the 2014 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2014):
(e) (1) No motor vehicle operator's license shall be issued until (A) the applicant signs and files with the commissioner an application under oath, or made subject to penalties for false statement in accordance with section 53a-157b, and (B) the commissioner is satisfied that the applicant is sixteen years of age or older and is a suitable person to receive the license.
(2) An applicant for a new motor vehicle operator's license shall, in the discretion of the commissioner, file, with the application, a copy of such applicant's birth certificate or other prima facie evidence of date of birth and evidence of identity.
(3) Before granting a license to any applicant who has not previously held a Connecticut motor vehicle operator's license, or who has not operated a motor vehicle during the preceding two years, the commissioner shall require the applicant to demonstrate personally to the commissioner, a deputy or a motor vehicle inspector or an agent of the commissioner, in such manner as the commissioner directs, that the applicant is a proper person to operate motor vehicles of the class for which such applicant has applied, has sufficient knowledge of the mechanism of the motor vehicles to ensure their safe operation by him or her and has satisfactory knowledge of the laws concerning motor vehicles and the rules of the road. The knowledge test of an applicant for a class D motor vehicle operator's license may be administered in such form as the commissioner deems appropriate, including audio, electronic or written testing. Such knowledge test shall be administered in English, Spanish or any language spoken at home by at least one per cent of the state's population, according to statistics prepared by the United States Census Bureau, based on the most recent decennial census. Each such knowledge test shall include a question concerning highway work zone safety and the responsibilities of an operator of a motor vehicle under section 14-212d. Each such knowledge test shall include not less than one question concerning distracted driving, the use of mobile telephones and electronic devices by motor vehicle operators or the responsibilities of motor vehicle operators under section 14-296aa. If any such applicant has held a license from a state, territory or possession of the United States where a similar examination is required, [or if any such applicant is a person honorably separated from the United States armed forces who applies within two years following the separation and who, prior to the separation, held a military operator's license for motor vehicles of the same class as that for which such applicant has applied,] the commissioner may waive part or all of the examination. If any such applicant is (A) a veteran who applies not later than two years after the date of discharge from the military and who, prior to such discharge, held a military operator's license for motor vehicles of the same class as that for which such applicant has applied, or (B) a member of the armed forces or the National Guard who currently holds a military operator's license for motor vehicles of the same class as that for which such applicant has applied, the commissioner shall waive all of the examination, except in the case of commercial motor vehicle licenses, the commissioner shall only waive the driving skills test for such applicant who meets the conditions set forth in 49 CFR 383.77. For the purposes of this subsection, "veteran" means any person who was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable from active service in the armed forces and "armed forces" has the same meaning as provided in section 27-103. When the commissioner is satisfied as to the ability and competency of any applicant, the commissioner may issue to such applicant a license, either unlimited or containing such limitations as the commissioner deems advisable, and specifying the class of motor vehicles which the licensee is eligible to operate.
(4) If any applicant or operator license holder has any health problem which might affect such person's ability to operate a motor vehicle safely, the commissioner may require the applicant or license holder to demonstrate personally or otherwise establish that, notwithstanding such problem, such applicant or license holder is a proper person to operate a motor vehicle, and the commissioner may further require a certificate of such applicant's condition, signed by a medical authority designated by the commissioner, which certificate shall in all cases be treated as confidential by the commissioner. A license, containing such limitation as the commissioner deems advisable, may be issued or renewed in any case, but nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent the commissioner from refusing a license, either limited or unlimited, to any person or suspending a license of a person whom the commissioner determines to be incapable of safely operating a motor vehicle. Consistent with budgetary allotments, each motor vehicle operator's license issued to or renewed by a deaf or hearing impaired person shall, upon the request of such person, indicate such impairment. Such person shall submit a certificate stating such impairment, in such form as the commissioner may require and signed by a licensed health care practitioner.
(5) The issuance of a motor vehicle operator's license to any applicant who is the holder of a license issued by another state shall be subject to the provisions of sections 14-111c and 14-111k.
Sec. 3. Subsection (e) of section 14-36 of the 2014 supplement to the general statutes, as amended by section 2 of public act 13-89, is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective January 1, 2015):
(e) (1) No motor vehicle operator's license shall be issued until (A) the applicant signs and files with the commissioner an application under oath, or made subject to penalties for false statement in accordance with section 53a-157b, and (B) the commissioner is satisfied that the applicant is sixteen years of age or older and is a suitable person to receive the license.
(2) Except any applicant described in section 14-36m, an applicant for a new motor vehicle operator's license shall, in the discretion of the commissioner, file, with the application, a copy of such applicant's birth certificate or other prima facie evidence of date of birth and evidence of identity.
(3) Before granting a license to any applicant who has not previously held a Connecticut motor vehicle operator's license, or who has not operated a motor vehicle during the preceding two years, the commissioner shall require the applicant to demonstrate personally to the commissioner, a deputy or a motor vehicle inspector or an agent of the commissioner, in such manner as the commissioner directs, that the applicant is a proper person to operate motor vehicles of the class for which such applicant has applied, has sufficient knowledge of the mechanism of the motor vehicles to ensure their safe operation by him or her and has satisfactory knowledge of the laws concerning motor vehicles and the rules of the road. The knowledge test of an applicant for a class D motor vehicle operator's license may be administered in such form as the commissioner deems appropriate, including audio, electronic or written testing. Such knowledge test shall be administered in English, Spanish or any language spoken at home by at least one per cent of the state's population, according to statistics prepared by the United States Census Bureau, based on the most recent decennial census. If any such applicant has held a license from a state, territory or possession of the United States where a similar examination is required, [or if any such applicant is a person honorably separated from the United States armed forces who applies within two years following the separation and who, prior to the separation, held a military operator's license for motor vehicles of the same class as that for which such applicant has applied,] the commissioner may waive part or all of the examination. If any such applicant is (A) a veteran who applies not later than two years after the date of discharge from the military and who, prior to such discharge, held a military operator's license for motor vehicles of the same class as that for which such applicant has applied, or (B) a member of the armed forces or the National Guard who currently holds a military operator's license for motor vehicles of the same class as that for which such applicant has applied, the commissioner shall waive all of the examination, except in the case of commercial motor vehicle licenses, the commissioner shall only waive the driving skills test for such applicant who meets the conditions set forth in 49 CFR 383.77. For the purposes of this subsection, "veteran" means any person who was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable from active service in the armed forces and "armed forces" has the same meaning as provided in section 27-103. When the commissioner is satisfied as to the ability and competency of any applicant, the commissioner may issue to such applicant a license, either unlimited or containing such limitations as the commissioner deems advisable, and specifying the class of motor vehicles which the licensee is eligible to operate.
(4) If any applicant or operator license holder has any health problem which might affect such person's ability to operate a motor vehicle safely, the commissioner may require the applicant or license holder to demonstrate personally or otherwise establish that, notwithstanding such problem, such applicant or license holder is a proper person to operate a motor vehicle, and the commissioner may further require a certificate of such applicant's condition, signed by a medical authority designated by the commissioner, which certificate shall in all cases be treated as confidential by the commissioner. A license, containing such limitation as the commissioner deems advisable, may be issued or renewed in any case, but nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent the commissioner from refusing a license, either limited or unlimited, to any person or suspending a license of a person whom the commissioner determines to be incapable of safely operating a motor vehicle. Consistent with budgetary allotments, each motor vehicle operator's license issued to or renewed by a deaf or hearing impaired person shall, upon the request of such person, indicate such impairment. Such person shall submit a certificate stating such impairment, in such form as the commissioner may require and signed by a licensed health care practitioner.
(5) The issuance of a motor vehicle operator's license to any applicant who is the holder of a license issued by another state shall be subject to the provisions of sections 14-111c and 14-111k.
Sec. 4. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2014) Any member of the armed forces or National Guard or any veteran, within two years of such veteran's discharge from the armed forces, may submit an application for military training evaluation to the Labor Department program of apprentice training set forth in section 31-22q of the general statutes, as amended by this act. Such application shall include (1) evidence of satisfactory completion of a program or course of instruction as part of military training that is equivalent in content and quality to that required for a specific trade in this state, and (2) if such applicant is a veteran, such veteran's military discharge document or a certified copy thereof. The Labor Commissioner shall evaluate any such application and determine whether the applicant's military training may be substituted for all or part of the term of an apprenticeship program registered with the Labor Department for a specific trade. If the commissioner determines that the applicant's military training is equivalent to the training required for completion of such apprenticeship program, the commissioner shall issue such applicant a recommendation for review by the appropriate examining board established under section 20-331 of the general statutes. Presentation of such recommendation, pursuant to section 20-333 of the general statutes, as amended by this act, shall allow such applicant to sit for any licensure examination without participation in an apprenticeship program. If the commissioner determines that the applicant's military training is equivalent to part of the training required for completion of an apprenticeship program, such applicant's hours of qualified military training, as determined by the commissioner, shall be deducted from the hours of apprenticeship training required for the specific trade provided (A) such applicant completes the minimum number of hours of apprenticeship training required under federal law, and (B) prior to implementation of this provision, the Labor Department obtains concurrence with such provision from the federal office of apprenticeship pursuant to 29 CFR 29. 13(b)(9). For the purposes of this section, (i) "veteran" means any person who was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable from active service in the armed forces, (ii) "armed forces" has the same meaning as provided in section 27-103 of the general statutes, and (iii) "military discharge document" has the same meaning as provided in section 1-219 of the general statutes.
Sec. 5. Section 20-333 of the general statutes is repealed and the following in substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2014):
To obtain a license under this chapter, an applicant shall have attained such applicant's eighteenth birthday and shall furnish such evidence of competency as the appropriate board, with the consent of the Commissioner of Consumer Protection, shall require. A recommendation for review issued pursuant to section 4 of this act shall be sufficient to demonstrate such competency. The applicant shall satisfy such board that such applicant is of good moral character, possesses a diploma or other evidence of graduation from the eighth grade of grammar school, or possesses an equivalent education to be determined on examination and has the requisite skill to perform the work in the trade for which such applicant is applying for a license and can comply with all other requirements of this chapter and the regulations adopted under this chapter. A recommendation for review issued pursuant to section 4 of this act shall be sufficient to demonstrate that an applicant possesses such requisite skill and can comply with all other requirements of this chapter and the regulations adopted under this chapter. For any application submitted pursuant to this section that requires a hearing or other action by the applicable examining board, such hearing or other action by the applicable examining board shall occur not later than thirty days after the date of submission for such application. Upon application for any such license, the applicant shall pay to the department a nonrefundable application fee of ninety dollars for a license under subdivisions (2) and (3) of subsection (a) and subdivision (4) of subsection (e) of section 20-334a, or a nonrefundable application fee of one hundred fifty dollars for a license under subdivision (1) of subsection (a), subdivisions (1) and (2) of subsection (b), subdivision (1) of subsection (c) and subdivisions (1), (2) and (3) of subsection (e) of section 20-334a. Any such application fee shall be waived for persons who present a recommendation for review issued pursuant to section 4 of this act. The department shall conduct such written, oral and practical examinations as the appropriate board, with the consent of the commissioner, deems necessary to test the knowledge of the applicant in the work for which a license is being sought. The department shall allow any applicant, who has not participated in an apprenticeship program but presents a recommendation for review issued pursuant to section 4 of this act, to sit for any such examination. Any person completing the required apprentice training program for a journeyman's license under section 20-334a shall, within thirty days following such completion, apply for a licensure examination given by the department. If an applicant does not pass such licensure examination, the commissioner shall provide each failed applicant with information on how to retake the examination and a report describing the applicant's strengths and weaknesses in such examination. Any apprentice permit issued under section 20-334a to an applicant who fails three licensure examinations in any one-year period shall remain in effect if such applicant applies for and takes the first licensure examination given by the department following the one-year period from the date of such applicant's third and last unsuccessful licensure examination. Otherwise, such permit shall be revoked as of the date of the first examination given by the department following expiration of such one-year period. When an applicant has qualified for a license, the department shall, upon receipt of the license fee or upon waiver of such fee pursuant to section 20-335, as amended by this act, issue to such applicant a license entitling such applicant to engage in the work or occupation for which a license was sought and shall register each successful applicant's name and address in the roster of licensed persons authorized to engage in the work or occupation within the appropriate board's authority. All fees and other moneys collected by the department shall be promptly transmitted to the State Treasurer as provided in section 4-32.
Sec. 6. Section 20-335 of the 2014 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2014):
Any person who has successfully completed an examination for such person's initial license under this chapter shall pay to the Department of Consumer Protection a fee of one hundred fifty dollars for a contractor's license or a fee of one hundred twenty dollars for any other such license. Any such initial license fee shall be waived for persons who present a recommendation for review issued pursuant to section 4 of this act. All such licenses shall expire annually. No person shall carry on or engage in the work or occupations subject to this chapter after the expiration of such person's license until such person has filed an application bearing the date of such person's registration card with the appropriate board. Such application shall be in writing, addressed to the secretary of the board from which such renewal is sought and signed by the person applying for such renewal. A licensee applying for renewal shall, at such times as the commissioner shall by regulation prescribe, furnish evidence satisfactory to the board that the licensee has completed any continuing professional education required under sections 20-330 to 20-341, inclusive, or any regulations adopted thereunder. The board may renew such license if the application for such renewal is received by the board no later than one month after the date of expiration of such license, upon payment to the department of a renewal fee of one hundred fifty dollars in the case of a contractor and of one hundred twenty dollars for any other such license. For any completed renewal application submitted pursuant to this section that requires a hearing or other action by the applicable examining board, such hearing or other action by the applicable examining board shall occur not later than thirty days after the date of submission for such completed renewal application. The department shall issue a receipt stating the fact of such payment, which receipt shall be a license to engage in such work or occupation. A licensee who has failed to renew such licensee's license for a period of over two years from the date of expiration of such license shall have it reinstated only upon complying with the requirements of section 20-333, as amended by this act. All license fees and renewal fees paid to the department pursuant to this section shall be deposited in the General Fund.
Sec. 7. Section 31-22m of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2014):
When used in sections 31-22m to 31-22q, as amended by this act, inclusive, and section 4 of this act, "apprentice" means a person employed under a written agreement to work at and learn a specific trade; "apprentice agreement" means a written agreement entered into by an apprentice, or on his behalf by his parent or guardian, with an employer, or with an association of employers and an organization of employees acting as a joint apprenticeship committee, which agreement provides for not less than two thousand hours of work experience in approved trade training consistent with recognized requirements established by industry or joint labor-industry practice and for the number of hours of related and supplemental instructions prescribed by the Connecticut State Apprenticeship Council or which agreement meets requirements of the federal government for on-the-job training schedules which are essential, in the opinion of the Labor Commissioner, for the development of manpower in Connecticut industries; "council" means the Connecticut State Apprenticeship Council.
Sec. 8. Section 31-22o of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2014):
The council may adopt recommendations for minimum standards of apprenticeship and for related and supplementary instruction, encourage registration and approval of apprentice agreements and training programs, and issue certificates of completion upon the verification by employers or joint apprenticeship committees of the satisfactory completion of the term of apprenticeship. The council shall formulate policies for the effective administration of sections 31-22m to 31-22q, as amended by this act, inclusive, and section 4 of this act. Such policies by the council shall not invalidate any apprenticeship provision in any collective bargaining agreement between employers and employees. All apprentice programs adopted and registered with the council under said sections shall be on a voluntary basis and shall be installed for the purpose of developing skilled workers for the service trades and industries of Connecticut.
Sec. 9. Section 31-22q of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2014):
To assist in the administration of sections 31-22m to 31-22q, as amended by this act, inclusive, and section 4 of this act, there shall continue to be maintained in the Labor Department a program of apprentice training. The Labor Commissioner is authorized to appoint, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 67, such personnel as may be necessary for effective administration of said sections.
Sec. 10. Section 29-161q of the 2014 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2014):
(a) Any security service or business may employ as many security officers as such security service or business deems necessary for the conduct of the business, provided such security officers are of good moral character and at least eighteen years of age.
(b) No person hired or otherwise engaged to perform work as a security officer, as defined in section 29-152u, shall perform the duties of a security officer prior to being licensed as a security officer by the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection. Each applicant for a license shall complete a minimum of eight hours training in the following areas: Basic first aid, search and seizure laws and regulations, use of force, basic criminal justice and public safety issues. The commissioner shall waive such training for any person who, (A) while serving in the armed forces or the National Guard, or (B) if such person is a veteran, within two years of such person's discharge from the armed forces, presents proof that such person has completed military training that is equivalent to the training required by this subsection, and, if applicable, such person's military discharge document or a certified copy thereof. For the purposes of this subsection, "veteran" means any person who was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable from active service in the armed forces, "armed forces" has the same meaning as provided in section 27-103, and "military discharge document" has the same meaning as provided in section 1-219. The training shall be approved by the commissioner in accordance with regulations adopted pursuant to section 29-161x.
(1) On and after October 1, 2008, no person or employee of an association, corporation or partnership shall conduct such training without the approval of the commissioner except as provided in subdivision (2) of this subsection. Application for such approval shall be submitted on forms prescribed by the commissioner and accompanied by a fee of forty dollars. Such application shall be made under oath and shall contain the applicant's name, address, date and place of birth, employment for the previous five years, education or training in the subjects required to be taught under this subsection, any convictions for violations of the law and such other information as the commissioner may require by regulation adopted pursuant to section 29-161x to properly investigate the character, competency and integrity of the applicant. No person shall be approved as an instructor for such training who has been convicted of a felony, a sexual offense or a crime of moral turpitude or who has been denied approval as a security service licensee, a security officer or instructor in the security industry by any licensing authority, or whose approval has been revoked or suspended. The term for such approval shall not exceed two years. Not later than two business days after a change of address, any person approved as an instructor in accordance with this section shall notify the commissioner of such change and such notification shall include both the old and new addresses.
(2) If a security officer training course described in this subsection is approved by the commissioner on or before September 30, 2008, the instructor of such course shall have until April 1, 2009, to apply for approval as an instructor in accordance with subdivision (1) of this subsection.
(3) Each person approved as an instructor in accordance with this section may apply for the renewal of such approval on a form approved by the commissioner, accompanied by a fee of forty dollars. Such form may require the disclosure of any information necessary for the commissioner to determine whether the instructor's suitability to serve as an instructor has changed since the issuance of the prior approval. The term of such renewed approval shall not exceed two years.
(c) Not later than two years after successful completion of the training required pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, or the waiver of such training, the applicant may submit an application for a license as a security officer on forms furnished by the commissioner and, under oath, shall give the applicant's name, address, date and place of birth, employment for the previous five years, experience in the position applied for, including military training and weapons qualifications, any convictions for violations of the law and such other information as the commissioner may require, by regulation, to properly investigate the character, competency and integrity of the applicant. Applicants shall submit with their application two sets of fingerprints of the employee and the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection shall require any applicant for a license under this section to submit to state and national criminal history records checks conducted in accordance with section 29-17a. Applicants shall submit with their application two sets of their fingerprints and two full-face photographs of them, two inches wide by two inches high, taken not earlier than six months prior to the date of application, and a one-hundred-dollar licensing fee, made payable to the state. Applicants who received a waiver as provided in subsection (b) of this section shall be exempt from payment of such licensing fee. Subject to the provisions of section 46a-80, no person shall be approved for a license who has been convicted of a felony, any sexual offense or any crime involving moral turpitude, or who has been refused a license under the provisions of sections 29-161g to 29-161x, inclusive, for any reason except minimum experience, or whose license, having been granted, has been revoked or is under suspension. Upon being satisfied of the suitability of the applicant for licensure, the commissioner may license the applicant as a security officer. Such license shall be renewed every five years for a one-hundred-dollar fee.
(d) Upon the security officer's successful completion of training and licensing by the commissioner, or immediately upon hiring a licensed security officer, the security service employing such security officer shall apply to register such security officer with the commissioner on forms provided by the commissioner. Such application shall be accompanied by payment of a forty-dollar application fee payable to the state. The Division of State Police within the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection shall keep on file the completed registration form and all related material. An identification card with the name, date of birth, address, full-face photograph, physical descriptors and signature of the applicant shall be issued to the security officer, and shall be carried by the security officer at all times while performing the duties associated with the security officer's employment. Registered security officers, in the course of performing their duties, shall present such card for inspection upon the request of a law enforcement officer.
(e) The security service shall notify the commissioner not later than five days after the termination of employment of any registered employee.
(f) Any fee or portion of a fee paid pursuant to this section shall not be refundable.
(g) No person, firm or corporation shall employ or otherwise engage any person as a security officer, as defined in section 29-152u, unless such person is a licensed security officer.
(h) Any person, firm or corporation that violates any provision of subsection (b), (d), (e) or (g) of this section shall be fined seventy-five dollars for each offense. Each distinct violation of this section shall be a separate offense and, in the case of a continuing violation, each day thereof shall be deemed a separate offense.
Sec. 11. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2014) (a) An institution of higher education shall award college credit for military occupational specialty training to a member of the armed forces or the National Guard or a veteran who enrolls at such institution and has experience in a military occupation recognized by such institution as substituting for or meeting the requirements of a particular course of study. For the purposes of this section, "veteran" means any person who was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable from active service in the armed forces and "armed forces" has the same meaning as provided in section 27-103 of the general statutes.
(b) Not later than July 1, 2016, the Board of Regents for Higher Education and the Board of Trustees for The University of Connecticut, in consultation with the institutions of higher education in the state, shall develop and adopt guidelines on awarding college credit for a student's military training, coursework and education. Such guidelines shall include course equivalency recommendations adopted by the American Council on Education or by other institutions or organizations deemed reputable by the Board of Regents for Higher Education and the Board of Trustees for The University of Connecticut. Until the adoption of such guidelines, any institution of higher education that awards college credit for such training, coursework and education shall use course equivalency recommendations adopted by the American Council on Education, a portfolio assessment process when appropriate or the institution's transfer and articulation policies when assigning college credit to a military occupation. Upon adoption of such guidelines, the governing body of each institution of higher education in the state shall develop and implement policies governing the awarding of college credit for a student's military training, coursework and education.
Sec. 12. Section 31-2 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2014):
(a) The Labor Commissioner shall collect information upon the subject of labor, its relation to capital, the hours of labor, the earnings of laboring men and women and the means of promoting their material, social, intellectual and moral prosperity, and shall have power to summon and examine under oath such witnesses, and may direct the production of, and examine or cause to be produced and examined, such books, records, vouchers, memoranda, documents, letters, contracts or other papers in relation thereto as he deems necessary, and shall have the same powers in relation thereto as are vested in magistrates in taking depositions, but for this purpose persons shall not be required to leave the vicinity of their residences or places of business. Said commissioner shall collect and collate population and employment data to project who is working, who is not working and who will be entering the job market and shall provide an analysis of data concerning present job requirements and potential needs of new industry. The commissioner shall include in his annual report to the Governor, as provided in section 4-60, all the aforesaid statistical details.
(b) The commissioner shall administer the coordination of all employment and training programs in the state and shall implement the plan of the Connecticut Employment and Training Commission as approved by the Governor. The commissioner shall develop and maintain a comprehensive inventory of all employment and training programs in the state, including a listing of all funding sources for each program, the characteristics of the persons served, a description of each program and its results and the identification of areas of program overlap and duplication.
(c) The commissioner shall provide staff to the Connecticut Employment and Training Commission and such other resources as the commissioner can make available.
(d) The commissioner may request the Attorney General to bring an action in Superior Court for injunctive relief requiring compliance with any statute, regulation, order or permit administered, adopted or issued by the commissioner.
(e) The commissioner shall assist state agencies, boards and commissions that issue occupational certificates or licenses in (1) determining when to recognize and accept military training and experience in lieu of all or part of the training and experience required for a specific professional or occupational license, and (2) reviewing and revising policies and procedures to ensure that relevant military education, skills and training are given appropriate recognition in the certification and licensing process.
Sec. 13. Section 19a-179 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2014):
(a) The commissioner shall adopt regulations, in accordance with chapter 54, concerning (1) the methods and conditions for the issuance, renewal and reinstatement of licensure and certification or recertification of emergency medical service personnel, (2) the methods and conditions for licensure and certification of the operations, facilities and equipment enumerated in section 19a-177, [and] (3) complaint procedures for the public and any emergency medical service organization, and (4) exemption of members of the armed forces or the National Guard or veterans with appropriate military training, including, but not limited to, members of the armed forces or the National Guard or veterans with a designation by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians and veterans or members of the United States Navy and Coast Guard, from training and testing requirements for emergency medical technician licensure and certification. Such regulations shall be in conformity with the policies and standards established by the commissioner. Such regulations shall require that, as an express condition of the purchase of any business holding a primary service area, the purchaser shall agree to abide by any performance standards to which the purchased business was obligated pursuant to its agreement with the municipality.
(b) The commissioner may issue an emergency medical technician certificate to an applicant who presents evidence satisfactory to the commissioner that the applicant (1) is currently certified as an emergency medical technician in good standing in any New England state, New York or New Jersey, (2) has completed an initial training program consistent with the United States Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration emergency medical technician curriculum, and (3) has no pending disciplinary action or unresolved complaint against him or her.
(c) The commissioner may issue a temporary emergency medical technician certificate to an applicant who presents evidence satisfactory to the commissioner that (1) the applicant was certified by the department as an emergency medical technician prior to becoming licensed as a paramedic pursuant to section 20-206ll, and (2) the applicant's certification as an emergency medical technician has expired and the applicant's license as a paramedic has become void pursuant to section 19a-88. Such temporary certificate shall be valid for a period not to exceed one year and shall not be renewable.
(d) An applicant who is issued a temporary emergency medical technician certificate pursuant to subsection (c) of this section may, prior to the expiration of such temporary certificate, apply to the department for:
(1) Renewal of such person's paramedic license, giving such person's name in full, such person's residence and business address and such other information as the department requests, provided the application for license renewal is accompanied by evidence satisfactory to the commissioner that the applicant was under the medical oversight of a sponsor hospital on the date the applicant's paramedic license became void for nonrenewal; or
(2) Recertification as an emergency medical technician, provided the application for recertification is accompanied by evidence satisfactory to the commissioner that the applicant completed emergency medical technician refresher training approved by the commissioner not later than one year after issuance of the temporary emergency medical technician certificate. The department shall recertify such person as an emergency medical technician without the examination required for initial certification specified in regulations adopted by the commissioner pursuant to this section.
(e) For purposes of subsection (d) of this section, "medical oversight" means the active surveillance by physicians of mobile intensive care sufficient for the assessment of overall practice levels, as defined by state-wide protocols, and "sponsor hospital" means a hospital that has agreed to maintain staff for the provision of medical oversight, supervision and direction to an emergency medical service organization, as defined in section 19a-175, and its personnel and has been approved for such activity by the Office of Emergency Medical Services.
(f) The commissioner shall issue an emergency medical technician certification to an applicant who is a member of the armed forces or the National Guard or a veteran and who (1) presents evidence satisfactory to the commissioner that such applicant holds a current certification as a person entitled to perform similar services under a different designation by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians, or (2) satisfies the regulations promulgated pursuant to subdivision (4) of subsection (a) of this section. Such applicant shall be exempt from any written or practical examination requirement for certification.
(g) For the purposes of this section, "veteran" means any person who was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable from active service in the armed forces and "armed forces" has the same meaning as provided in section 27-103.
Sec. 14. (NEW) (Effective from passage) (a) For the purposes of this section, "licensing authority" means the Department of Consumer Protection, the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, the Labor Department, the Department of Motor Vehicles, the Department of Public Health, the Board of Regents for Higher Education, the Office of Higher Education, the Board of Trustees of The University of Connecticut or the Police Officer Standards and Training Council; "service member" means a member of the armed forces or the National Guard or a veteran; "armed forces" has the same meaning as set forth in section 27-103 of the general statutes; and "veteran" means any person who was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable from active service in the armed forces.
(b) Each licensing authority shall ask each applicant for a license, a certificate, a registration or an educational credit whether such applicant is a service member.
(c) On or before January 1, 2015, and annually thereafter, each licensing authority shall submit a report to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to military and veterans' affairs, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes, and the Labor Department that shall include the following: (1) The number of service members who applied for a military training evaluation pursuant to section 4 of this act, a license, a certificate, a registration or an educational credit; (2) the number of service members whose application for a license, a certificate, a registration or an educational credit was approved; (3) the number of service members whose application for a license, a certificate, a registration or an educational credit was denied, and data on the reasons for any such denial; (4) the licensing authority's processing time for applications submitted by service members and the average processing time for all applications; (5) information on the licensing authority's efforts to inform and assist service members in accessing programs that provide the education and training necessary for meeting the requirements for licensure, certification, registration or educational credit; (6) information on whether existing law effectively addresses the challenges that service members face when applying for an occupational or professional license, a certificate, a registration or an educational credit upon discharge from military service or relocating to the state; and (7) recommendations on improving the licensing authority's ability to meet the occupational needs of service members, including, but not limited to, the issuance of temporary or provisional licenses, certificates or registrations. The Labor Department shall also include in its report the number of service members who were issued or denied a recommendation for review or a deduction from the hours of apprenticeship training pursuant to section 4 of this act.
(d) On or before January 1, 2016, each licensing authority shall, within existing budgetary resources, publish on its Internet web site a link to the Department of Veterans' Affairs informational Internet web site established pursuant to section 27-100f of the general statutes and the Internet web site maintained by the executive branch listing resources and opportunities available to veterans.
(e) On or before January 1, 2016, the Labor Department shall post the reports submitted pursuant to subsection (c) of this section on its Internet web site.
Sec. 15. (Effective from passage) Not later than July 1, 2015, the Labor Commissioner, after consultation with the Commissioner of Veterans' Affairs, the Adjutant General, the Executive Director of the Office of Military Affairs, the Commissioner of Public Health and the Commissioner of Consumer Protection, shall issue a report, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes, to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to military and veterans' affairs. Such report shall include recommendations for amending statutes and regulations and revising policies and procedures to ensure that relevant military education, skills and training are given appropriate recognition in the occupational certification and licensing process. Each agency listed in this section shall issue formal written recommendations to the Labor Commissioner relevant to the professional or occupational licenses within such agency's purview. Such formal written recommendations shall be in a form and manner prescribed by the Labor Commissioner.