AN ACT CONCERNING THE CONNECTICUT EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING COMMISSION AND AMENDMENTS TO THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR STATUTES.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:
Section 1. (NEW) (Effective from passage) On or before October 1, 2014, and annually thereafter, the Connecticut Employment and Training Commission shall submit to the Office of Policy and Management and the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to labor, higher education and education a report card of each program emphasizing employment placement included in the commission's annual inventory developed and maintained by the Labor Commissioner pursuant to section 31-2 of the general statutes. The report card shall, at a minimum, identify for each program the cost, number of individuals entering the program, number of individuals satisfactorily completing the program and the employment placement rates of those individuals at thirteen and twenty-six-week intervals following completion of the program or a statement as to why such measure is not relevant.
Sec. 2. Section 4-66e of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
(a) For purposes of this section, "self-sufficiency measurement" means a calculation of the income an employed adult may need to meet family needs, including, but not limited to, housing, food, day care, transportation and medical costs.
(b) Not later than January 1, 1999, the Office of Policy and Management shall contract with a private vendor to develop a self-sufficiency measurement by October 1, 1999. This measurement shall take into account geographical variations in costs and the age and number of children in the family. The value of any state or federal public assistance benefit received by a recipient of temporary family assistance shall be calculated into such recipient's self-sufficiency measurement.
(c) Not later than October 31, 1999, the Office of Policy and Management shall distribute the self-sufficiency measurement to all state agencies that counsel individuals who are seeking education, training or employment. Effective October 31, 1999, the Office of Policy and Management may also distribute the self-sufficiency measurement to any other entity that requests such measurement. Such state agencies and other entities may use the self-sufficiency measurement to assist and guide individuals who are seeking education, training or employment in establishing personal financial goals and estimating the amount of income such individuals may need to support their families.
[(d) Not later than January 1, 2003, and every three years thereafter, the Office of Workforce Competitiveness, in consultation with the Office of Policy and Management, and within existing budgetary resources, shall update the self-sufficiency measurement developed pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, and shall distribute the updated self-sufficiency measurement to all state agencies that counsel individuals who are seeking education, training or employment. Effective January 1, 2003, the Office of Workforce Competitiveness may also distribute the updated self-sufficiency measurement to any other entity that requests such measurement. Such state agencies and other entities may use the updated self-sufficiency measurement to assist and guide individuals who are seeking education, training or employment in establishing personal financial goals and estimating the amount of income such individuals may need to support their families. ]
[(e)] (d) The self-sufficiency measurement shall not be used to: (1) Analyze the success or failure of any program; (2) determine or establish eligibility or benefit levels for any state or federal public assistance program, including, but not limited to, temporary family assistance, child care assistance, medical assistance, state administered general assistance, supplemental nutrition assistance or eligibility for the HUSKY plan; (3) determine whether a person subject to time-limited benefits under the temporary family assistance program qualifies for an extension of benefits under such program; or (4) supplement the amount of benefits awarded under the temporary family assistance program.
Sec. 3. Section 31-2d of the 2014 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
Any order or regulation of the Office of Workforce Competitiveness affecting the functions, powers, duties and obligations set forth in this section and sections 4-124w, 4-124z, 4-124bb, 4-124ff, 4-124gg, 4-124hh, 4-124tt [, 4-124uu] and 4-124vv which is in force on July 1, 2011, shall continue in force and effect as an order or regulation of the Labor Department until amended, repealed or superseded pursuant to law. Where any orders or regulations of said office and said department conflict, the Labor Commissioner may implement policies and procedures consistent with the provisions of this section and sections 4-124w, 4-124z, 4-124bb, 4-124ff, 4-124gg, 4-124hh, 4-124tt, [4-124uu,] 4-124vv, 10-95h, 10a-11b, 10a-19d, 31-3h, as amended by this act, and 31-3k while in the process of adopting the policy or procedure in regulation form, provided notice of intention to adopt regulations is printed in the Connecticut Law Journal not later than twenty days after implementation. The policy or procedure shall be valid until the time final regulations are effective.
Sec. 4. Subsection (b) of section 31-3h of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
(b) The duties and responsibilities of the commission shall include:
(1) Carrying out the duties and responsibilities of a state job training coordinating council pursuant to the federal Job Training Partnership Act, 29 USC 1532, as amended, a state human resource investment council pursuant to 29 USC 1501 et seq. , as amended, and such other related entities as the Governor may direct;
(2) Reviewing all employment and training programs in the state to determine their success in leading to and obtaining the goal of economic self-sufficiency and to determine if such programs are serving the needs of Connecticut's workers, employers and economy;
(3) Developing a plan for the coordination of all employment and training programs in the state to avoid duplication and to promote the delivery of comprehensive, individualized employment and training services. The plan shall contain the commission's recommendations for policies and procedures to enhance the coordination and collaboration of all such programs and shall be submitted on [June 1, 2000] January 31, 2015, and annually thereafter, to the Governor for the Governor's approval;
(4) Reviewing and commenting on all employment and training programs enacted by the General Assembly;
(5) Implementing the federal Workforce Investment Act of 1998, P. L. 105-220, as from time to time amended. Such implementation shall include (A) developing, in consultation with the regional workforce development boards, a single Connecticut workforce development plan that (i) complies with the provisions of said act and section 31-11p, and (ii) includes comprehensive state performance measures for workforce development activities specified in Title I of the federal Workforce Investment Act of 1998, P. L. 105-220, as from time to time amended, which performance measures comply with the requirements of 20 CFR Part 666. 100, (B) preparing and submitting a report on the state's progress in achieving such performance measures to the Governor and the General Assembly annually on January thirty-first, (C) making recommendations to the General Assembly concerning the allocation of funds received by the state under said act and making recommendations to the regional workforce development boards concerning the use of formulas in allocating such funds to adult employment and job training activities and youth activities, as specified in said act, (D) providing oversight and coordination of the state-wide employment statistics system required by said act, (E) as appropriate, recommending to the Governor that the Governor apply for workforce flexibility plans and waiver authority under said act, after consultation with the regional workforce development boards, (F) developing performance criteria for regional workforce development boards to utilize in creating a list of eligible providers, and (G) on or before December 31, 1999, developing a uniform individual training accounts voucher system that shall be used by the regional workforce development boards to pay for training of eligible workers by eligible providers, as required under said act;
(6) Developing and overseeing a plan for the continuous improvement of the regional workforce development boards established pursuant to section 31-3k;
(7) Developing incumbent worker, and vocational and manpower training programs, including customized job training programs to enhance the productivity of Connecticut businesses and to increase the skills and earnings of underemployed and at-risk workers, and other programs administered by the regional workforce development boards. The Labor Department, in collaboration with the regional workforce development boards, shall implement any incumbent worker and customized job training programs developed by the commission pursuant to this subdivision; and
(8) Developing a strategy for providing comprehensive services to eligible youths, which strategy shall include developing youth preapprentice and apprentice programs through, but not limited to, technical high schools, and improving linkages between academic and occupational learning and other youth development activities.
Sec. 5. Subsection (b) of section 31-60 of the 2014 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
(b) The Labor Commissioner shall adopt such regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, as may be appropriate to carry out the purposes of this part. Such regulations may include, but are not limited to, regulations defining and governing an executive, administrative or professional employee and outside salesperson; learners and apprentices, their number, proportion and length of service; and piece rates in relation to time rates; and shall recognize, as part of the minimum fair wage, gratuities in an amount (1) equal to twenty-nine and three-tenths per cent, and effective January 1, 2009, equal to thirty-one per cent of the minimum fair wage per hour, and effective January 1, 2014, equal to thirty-four and six-tenths per cent of the minimum fair wage per hour, and effective January 1, 2015, equal to thirty-six and eight-tenths per cent of the minimum fair wage per hour for persons, other than bartenders, who are employed in the hotel and restaurant industry, including a hotel restaurant, who customarily and regularly receive gratuities, (2) equal to eight and two-tenths per cent, and effective January 1, 2009, equal to eleven per cent of the minimum fair wage per hour, and effective January 1, 2014, equal to fifteen and six-tenths per cent of the minimum fair wage per hour, and effective January 1, 2015, equal to eighteen and one-half per cent of the minimum fair wage per hour for persons employed as bartenders who customarily and regularly receive gratuities, and (3) not to exceed thirty-five cents per hour in any other industry, and shall also recognize deductions and allowances for the value of board, in the amount of eighty-five cents for a full meal and forty-five cents for a light meal, lodging, apparel or other items or services supplied by the employer; and other special conditions or circumstances which may be usual in a particular employer-employee relationship. The commissioner may provide, in such regulations, modifications of the minimum fair wage herein established for learners and apprentices; persons under the age of eighteen years; and for such special cases or classes of cases as the commissioner finds appropriate to prevent curtailment of employment opportunities, avoid undue hardship and safeguard the minimum fair wage herein established. Regulations in effect on July 1, 1973, providing for a board deduction and allowance in an amount differing from that provided in this section shall be construed to be amended consistent with this section.
Sec. 6. Section 31-223 of the 2014 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
(a) Every employer who was subject to this chapter immediately prior to January 1, 1980, shall continue to be so subject. An employer not previously subject to this chapter shall become subject to this chapter as follows: (1) An employer subject to the Federal Unemployment Tax Act for any year shall be subject to the provisions of this chapter from the beginning of such year if he had one or more employees in his employment in the state of Connecticut in such year; (2) an employer who acquires substantially all of the assets, organization, trade or business of another employer who at the time of such acquisition was subject to this chapter shall immediately become subject to this chapter as a successor employer; (3) an employer who, after December 31, 1973, (A) in any calendar quarter in either the current or preceding calendar year paid wages for services in employment of one thousand five hundred dollars or more, or (B) for some portion of a day in each of twenty different calendar weeks, whether or not such weeks were consecutive, in either the current or the preceding calendar year, had in employment at least one individual irrespective of whether the same individual was in employment in each such day; (4) an employer for which service in employment as defined in subdivision (1) (C) of subsection (a) of section 31-222 is performed after December 31, 1971; (5) an employer for which service in employment as defined in subdivision (1) (D) of said subsection (a) is performed after December 31, 1971; (6) an employer which, together with one or more other employers, is owned or controlled, by legally enforceable means or otherwise, directly or indirectly by the same interests, or which owns or controls, by legally enforceable means or otherwise, one or more other employers, and which, if treated as a single unit or entity with such other employers or interests, or both, would be an employer under subdivision (3) of this subsection and subparagraphs (H) and (J) of subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of section 31-222; (7) any employer, not defined as such by any other subdivision of this subsection, (A) for which, within either the current or preceding calendar year, service is or was performed with respect to which such employer is liable for any federal tax against which credit may be taken for contributions required to be paid into a state unemployment fund, or (B) which, as a condition for approval of this chapter for full tax credit against the tax imposed by the federal Unemployment Tax Act, is required, pursuant to such federal act, to be an "employer" under this chapter; (8) an employer which, having become an employer under any of subdivisions (1) to (7), inclusive, of this subsection, has not, under subsection (c) ceased to be an employer subject to this chapter; (9) for the effective period of its election pursuant to subsection (b), an employer which has elected to become subject to this chapter. In determining whether an employer in question shall be considered, for the purposes of this section, as having had a particular number of employees in his employment at a given time, there shall be counted, in addition to his own employees, if any, (A) the employees of each employer whose business was at the given time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by the same interests which owned or controlled the business of the employer in question, and (B) the employees of each employer, substantially all of whose assets, organization, trade or business has, after the given time during the same calendar year, been acquired by the employer in question. If an employer shall contract with or shall have under him any contractor or subcontractor for any work which is part of said employer's usual trade, occupation, profession or business, and which is performed in, on or about the premises under such employer's control, and if such contractor or subcontractor shall not be subject to this chapter, such employer shall, for all the purposes of this chapter, be deemed to employ each individual in the employ of such contractor or subcontractor for each day during which such individual is engaged solely in performing such work; but this provision shall not prevent such employer from recovering from such contractor or subcontractor the amount of any contributions he may be required by this chapter to pay with respect to wages of such individuals for such work.
(b) Any employer not so subject to this chapter may accept the provisions of this chapter and become in all respects subject thereto by agreeing in writing filed with the administrator to pay the contributions required from employers subject to this chapter. Any employer with persons in his employ engaged in one or more of the types of service specified in subdivision (5) of subsection (a) of section 31-222, except the service described by subparagraph (A) thereof, may elect that the provisions of this chapter apply to such services by agreeing in writing filed with the administrator to pay the contributions on wages for such services. Any employer defined in subdivision (1) (D) or (E) of subsection (a) of section 31-222 or (5) (F) or (L) of said section may elect either to pay the contributions on wages for services or to finance benefits on a reimbursable basis, by paying into the Unemployment Compensation Fund an amount equivalent to the amount of benefits paid out to claimants who during the applicable period were paid wages by the employer concerned, said election to be made in writing to the administrator in accordance with the provisions of subsection (g) of section 31-225. Any employer may revoke acceptance of voluntary liability at the end of any calendar year following the calendar year in which he made such acceptance if he gives written notice to the administrator, accompanied by proof satisfactory to the administrator that he has paid all contributions due under the provisions of this chapter and that he has notified his employees of his intention to revoke such acceptance; such application to revoke acceptance shall be submitted within thirty days after the end of a calendar year and the administrator shall render his decision on such application within sixty days after submission thereof and such revocation of acceptance shall be effective on the thirty-first day of December next preceding the giving of written notice from the administrator to the employer that he is satisfied with such proofs.
(c) An employer may cease to be subject to this chapter at the end of any calendar year following the calendar year in which he became subject to this chapter if he gives written notice to the administrator, accompanied by proof satisfactory to the administrator that he has not employed one employee for at least thirteen weeks during the next-preceding fifteen months, that he is not subject to the Federal Unemployment Tax Act, and that he has notified his employees of his intention to cease to be subject to this chapter; such application for release shall be submitted within thirty days after the end of a calendar year and the administrator shall render his decision on such application within sixty days after submission thereof and the employer shall cease to be subject to this chapter on the thirty-first day of December next preceding the giving of written notice from the administrator to the employer that he is satisfied with such proofs. The administrator shall waive the requirement for an application for release whenever it shall appear that the employer was unable to comply with such requirement for the reason that, at the time when he had qualified for release from liability under the provisions of this chapter, he was in good faith not aware of the fact that he was subject to the provisions of this chapter. An employer who discontinues his business and enters the armed forces of the United States shall cease immediately to be subject to this chapter.
(d) For the purposes of subdivisions (5) and (7) of subsection (a) of this section, employment shall include service which would constitute employment but for the fact that such service is deemed to be performed entirely within another state pursuant to an election under an arrangement entered into with such state by the administrator and an agency charged with the administration of any other state or federal unemployment compensation law.
(e) For the purposes of subdivisions (3)(B) and (5) of subsection (a) of this section, in respect to any week including both December thirty-first and January first, the days of that week to and including December thirty-first shall be deemed one calendar week, and the days beginning and including January first another such week.
(f) Any employer not previously subject to this chapter, that becomes subject to this chapter pursuant to subsection (a) or (b) of this section, shall provide electronic notice of the same to the administrator, in a manner prescribed by the administrator, not later than thirty days after becoming subject to this chapter.
(g) Any employer acquiring substantially all of the assets, organization, trade or business of another employer subject to this chapter shall provide electronic notice of such acquisition to the administrator, in a manner prescribed by the administrator, not later than thirty days after such acquisition. For purposes of this subsection, trade or business includes an employer's employees.
(h) Any employer that fails to provide electronic notice as required by subsections (f) and (g) of this section shall be liable to the administrator for a civil penalty of fifty dollars for each violation.
Sec. 7. Section 31-254 of the 2014 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
(a) (1) Each employer, whether or not otherwise subject to this chapter, shall keep accurate records of employment as defined in subsection (a) of section 31-222, containing such information as the administrator may by regulation prescribe in order to effectuate the purposes of this chapter. Such records shall be open to, and available for, inspection and copying by the administrator or his authorized representatives at any reasonable time and as often as may be necessary. The administrator may require from any employer, whether or not otherwise subject to this chapter, any sworn or unsworn reports with respect to persons employed by him which are necessary for the effective administration of this chapter. Except as provided in subdivision (2) of this subsection and subsection (g) of this section, information obtained shall not be published or be open to public inspection, other than to public employees in the performance of their public duties, in any manner revealing the employee's or the employer's identity, but any claimant at a hearing before a commissioner shall be supplied with information from such records to the extent necessary for the proper presentation of his claim. Any employee of the administrator, or any other public employee, who violates any provision of this section shall be fined not more than two hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than six months or both and shall be dismissed from the service. Reports or records which have been required by the administrator and which have been used in computing benefit rights of claimants or in the determination of the amounts and rates of contributions shall be preserved by the administrator for a period of at least four years. Those records or reports required by the administrator which have not been used for the purpose of computing benefit rights or in the determination of the amounts or rates of contributions shall be preserved by the administrator for at least two and one-half years. Such records or reports may, after preservation for the minimum period required by this section, be destroyed by the administrator in his discretion, notwithstanding the provisions of section 11-8a. Notwithstanding any of the disclosure provisions of this chapter, the administrator shall provide upon request of the public agency administering the TANF and child support programs, any information in his possession relating to individuals: (A) Who are receiving, have received, or have applied for unemployment insurance; (B) the amount of benefits being received; (C) the current home address of such individuals; and (D) whether any offer of work has been refused and, if so, a description of the job and the terms, conditions, and rate of pay therefor. Notwithstanding any of the disclosure provisions of this chapter, the administrator shall provide, upon request of the Connecticut Student Loan Foundation, its officers or employees, any information in his possession relating to the current residence address or place of employment of any individual who has been determined by the Connecticut Student Loan Foundation to be in default on his student loan. Reimbursement for the cost of furnishing this information shall be made by the agency requesting the data in a manner prescribed by the administrator of this chapter.
(2) Any authorized user of the CTWorks Business System shall have access to any information required to be entered into such system by the federal Trade Adjustment Assistance program, established by the Trade Act of 1974, as amended by 19 USC 2271 et seq. , provided the user enters into a written agreement with the administrator establishing safeguards to protect the confidentiality of any information disclosed to such user. Each authorized user shall reimburse the administrator for all costs incurred by the administrator in disclosing information to such user. Information contained in the system shall not be disclosed or redisclosed to any unauthorized user, except that aggregate reports from which individual data cannot be identified may be disclosed. Any person who violates any provision of this subdivision shall be fined not more than two hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than six months, or both, and shall be prohibited from any further access to information in the system.
(b) The Labor Department shall administer a state directory of new hires in accordance with this section. Not later than twenty days after the date of employment, each employer maintaining an office or transacting business in this state shall report the name, address and Social Security number of each new employee employed in this state to the Labor Department by forwarding to said department a copy of the Connecticut income tax withholding or exemption certificate completed by such employee or by any other means consistent with regulations the Labor Commissioner may adopt in accordance with chapter 54, except that employers reporting magnetically or electronically shall report new employees, if any, at least twice per month by transmissions not less than twelve nor more than sixteen days apart. Each such report shall indicate the name, address and state and federal tax registration or identification numbers of the employer. Such information shall be transmitted in a format prescribed by the Labor Commissioner. Such information shall be entered by the Labor Department in the state directory of new hires within five business days of receipt and may be used by the Labor Commissioner in accordance with his powers and duties but shall be confidential and shall not be disclosed except as provided in subsections (d) and (e) of this section and subsection (b) of section 31-254a.
(c) (1) For the purposes of this section, "employer" does not include any department, agency or instrumentality of the United States; or any state agency performing intelligence or counterintelligence functions, if the head of such agency has determined that reporting pursuant to this section with respect to the employee could endanger the safety of the employee or compromise an ongoing investigation or intelligence mission. For the purposes of subsections (b) to (e), inclusive, of this section, the terms "employer" and "employee" shall include persons engaged in the acquisition and rendition, respectively, of independent contractual services, provided the expected value of such services for the calendar year next succeeding the effective date of the contract for such services, is at least five thousand dollars.
(2) An employer that has employees who are employed in this state and one or more other states and that transmits reports magnetically or electronically shall not be required to report to this state if such employer has designated another state in which it has employees to which it will transmit reports, provided such employer has notified the Labor Commissioner, in writing, as to which other state it has designated for the purpose of sending such reports.
(d) On a daily basis, in IV-D support cases, as defined in section 46b-231, the Department of Social Services shall compile a list of all individuals who are the subject of a child support investigation or action being undertaken by the IV-D agency, as defined in section 46b-231, and shall transmit such list to the Labor Department. The Labor Department shall promptly identify any new employee who is such an individual and said department shall transmit to the Department of Social Services the name, address and Social Security number of each new employee and the name, address and state and federal tax registration or identification numbers of the employer. The IV-D agency shall use such information to locate individuals for purposes of establishing paternity and establishing, modifying and enforcing child or medical support orders, and may disclose such information to any agent of such agency that is under contract to carry out such purposes. The Labor Commissioner shall require that confidentiality safeguards be part of the contracting agency's agreement with the Department of Social Services.
[(e) On a biweekly basis, the Department of Social Services shall compile a list of individuals who are receiving public assistance under the temporary assistance for needy families, Medicaid, supplemental nutrition assistance, state supplement and state-administered general assistance programs and shall transmit such list to the Labor Department. The Labor Department shall promptly identify any new employee who is such an individual and said department shall transmit to the Department of Social Services the name, address and Social Security number of each such new employee and the name, address and state and federal tax registration or identification numbers of the employer. ]
(e) (1) The Labor Department shall execute memoranda of understanding with (A) the Department of Social Services, and (B) the Connecticut Health Insurance Exchange, to establish procedures to furnish wage and claim information contained in the records required and maintained by the Labor Commissioner to assist such entities in the determination of eligibility for public assistance under the temporary assistance for needy families, Medicaid, food stamps, supplemental security income and other state supplement and state-administered general assistance programs. Such memoranda of understanding shall contain appropriate confidentiality safeguards regarding such wage and claim information.
(2) Upon execution of the memoranda of understanding pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection, and upon the request of the Department of Social Services and the Connecticut Health Insurance Exchange, the Labor Department shall furnish such wage and claim information to (A) the Department of Social Services, and any agents of said department that perform services associated with the Connecticut Health Insurance Exchange, and (B) the Connecticut Health Insurance Exchange, and any agents of said exchange.
(f) The Department of Social Services and the Connecticut Health Insurance Exchange shall reimburse the Labor Department for any costs included in carrying out the provisions of this section, including the cost of providing a toll-free facsimile number for employers required to report pursuant to subsection (b) of this section and section 31-254a. The Commissioner of Social Services and the Labor Commissioner, and the Chief Executive Officer of the Connecticut Health Insurance Exchange and the Labor Commissioner, shall enter into [a] separate purchase of service [agreement] agreements which [establishes] establish procedures necessary for the administration of subsections (b) to (f), inclusive, of this section.
(g) (1) Notwithstanding any of the information disclosure provisions of this section, the administrator shall disclose information obtained pursuant to subsection (a) of this section to: (A) A regional workforce development board, established pursuant to section 31-3k, to the extent necessary for the effective administration of the federal Trade Adjustment Assistance Program of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended from time to time, the federal Workforce Investment Act, as amended from time to time, and the state employment services program established pursuant to section 17b-688c for recipients of temporary family assistance, provided a regional workforce development board, enters into a written agreement with the administrator, pursuant to subdivision (2) of this subsection, concerning protection of the confidentiality of such information prior to the receipt of any such information; (B) a nonpublic entity that is under contract with the administrator where necessary for the effective administration of this chapter or with the United States Department of Labor to administer grants which are beneficial to the interests of the administrator, provided such nonpublic entity enters into a written agreement with the administrator, pursuant to subdivision (2) of this subsection, concerning protection of the confidentiality of such information prior to the receipt of any such information; (C) the president of the Board of Regents for Higher Education, appointed under section 10a-1a, for use in the performance of such president's official duties to the extent necessary for evaluating programs at institutions of higher education governed by said board pursuant to section 10a-1a, provided such president enters into a written agreement with the administrator, pursuant to subdivision (2) of this subsection, concerning protection of the confidentiality of such information prior to the receipt of any such information; or (D) a third party pursuant to written, informed consent of the individual or employer to whom the information pertains.
(2) Any written agreement shall contain safeguards as are necessary to protect the confidentiality of the information being disclosed, including, but not limited to a:
(A) Statement from the regional workforce development board, nonpublic entity, or president of the Board of Regents for Higher Education, as appropriate, of the purposes for the requested information and the specific use intended for the information;
(B) Statement from the regional workforce development board, nonpublic entity, or president of the Board of Regents for Higher Education, as appropriate, that the disclosed information shall only be used for such purposes as are permitted by this subsection and consistent with the written agreement;
(C) Requirement that the regional workforce development board, nonpublic entity, or president of the Board of Regents for Higher Education, as appropriate, store the disclosed information in a location that is physically secure from access by unauthorized persons;
(D) Requirement that the regional workforce development board, nonpublic entity, or president of the Board of Regents for Higher Education, as appropriate, store and process the disclosed information maintained in an electronic format in such a way that ensures that unauthorized persons cannot obtain the information by any means;
(E) Requirement that the regional workforce development board, nonpublic entity, or president of the Board of Regents for Higher Education, as appropriate, establish safeguards to ensure that only authorized persons, including any authorized agent of the board, nonpublic entity, or president of the Board of Regents for Higher Education, are permitted access to disclosed information stored in computer systems;
(F) Requirement that the regional workforce development board, nonpublic entity, or president of the Board of Regents for Higher Education, as appropriate, enter into a written agreement, that has been approved by the administrator, with any authorized agent of the board, nonpublic entity, or president of the Board of Regents for Higher Education, which agreement shall contain the requisite safeguards contained in the written agreement between the board, nonpublic entity, or president of the Board of Regents for Higher Education and the administrator;
(G) Requirement that the regional workforce development board, nonpublic entity, or president of the Board of Regents for Higher Education, as appropriate, instruct all persons having access to the disclosed information about the sanctions specified in this section, and further require each employee of such board, nonpublic entity, or president of the Board of Regents for Higher Education, and any agent of such board, nonpublic entity, or president of the Board of Regents for Higher Education, authorized to review such information, to sign an acknowledgment that such employee or such agent has been advised of such sanctions;
(H) Statement that redisclosure of confidential information is prohibited, except with the written approval of the administrator;
(I) Requirement that the regional workforce development board, nonpublic entity, or president of the Board of Regents for Higher Education, as appropriate, dispose of information disclosed or obtained under this subsection, including any copies of such information made by the board, nonpublic entity, or president of the Board of Regents for Higher Education, after the purpose for which the information is disclosed has been served, either by returning the information to the administrator, or by verifying to the administrator that the information has been destroyed;
(J) Statement that the regional workforce development board, nonpublic entity, or president of the Board of Regents for Higher Education, as appropriate, shall permit representatives of the administrator to conduct periodic audits, including on-site inspections, for the purpose of reviewing such board's, nonpublic entity's, or president of the Board of Regents for Higher Education's adherence to the confidentiality and security provisions of the written agreement; and
(K) Statement that the regional workforce development board, nonpublic entity, or president of the Board of Regents for Higher Education, as appropriate, shall reimburse the administrator for all costs incurred by the administrator in making the requested information available and in conducting periodic audits of the board's, nonpublic entity's, or president of the Board of Regents for Higher Education's procedures in safeguarding the information.
(3) Any employee or agent of a regional workforce development board, nonpublic entity, or president of the Board of Regents for Higher Education, as appropriate, who discloses any confidential information in violation of this section and the written agreement, entered into pursuant to subdivision (2) of this subsection, shall be fined not more than two hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than six months, or both, and shall be prohibited from any further access to confidential information.
Sec. 8. Section 4-124uu of the general statutes is repealed. (Effective from passage)