- Connecticut General Assembly approves measure barring most businesses from prohibiting cash payments
- Another approved bill orders the Department of Economic and Community Development to create a plan to assist disabled residents to enter the workforce
- A provision in another piece of legislation creates a task force to study the insurance costs borne by businesses in Connecticut’s distressed municipalities
Summary by Dirk Langeveld
As the Connecticut General Assembly enters the last days of its 2021 session, lawmakers have unanimously passed bills aimed at preserving cash payments at businesses, creating opportunities for workers with disabilities, and studying higher insurance costs that certain businesses face.
- H.B. No. 5312 barring businesses from prohibiting cash as an acceptable form of payment or charging a higher price for cash payments. Certain businesses and transactions are exempted, including any purchases that are not made in person.
- H.B. No. 6121 requires the Department of Economic and Community Development to develop a plan to assist disabled residents to enter the workforce. The plan is to be completed by July 2022, and the proposal suggests that businesses may offer incentives such as training programs and modified interviews.
- H.B. No. 6590 includes several expansions to the Connecticut Unfair Insurance Practices Act. One provision establishes a task force to complete a study of insurance costs borne by businesses in Connecticut’s distressed municipalities by the end of the year.