Connecticut General Statutes/Title 31/Chapter 556/Section 31-2

CGS § 31-2. Powers and duties of commissioner.

(a) The Labor Commissioner shall collect information upon the subject of labor, the hours of labor, the earnings of laboring individuals and the means of promoting their material, social and intellectual prosperity, and may 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.

(b) The commissioner may adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, for all programs within the jurisdiction of the Labor Department, including, but not limited to, employment and training programs in the state.

(c) 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.

(d) 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.

(e) The commissioner may enter into contractual agreements, as may be necessary, for all programs, activities, services and grants within the jurisdiction of the Labor Department, including, but not limited to, employment and training programs in the state and the application for and use, administration or repayments of any federal funds made available or allotted under any federal law.

(f) (1) The powers and duties enumerated in this section shall be in addition to any other powers and duties conferred to the Labor Commissioner in any other provision of the general statutes.

(2) Nothing in this section shall limit any other powers or duties conferred to the Labor Commissioner in any other provisions of the general statutes.

Short History

(1949 Rev., S. 3776; September, 1957, P.A. 11, S. 13; P.A. 73-164, S. 1, 5; P.A. 76-209, S. 1; P.A. 77-614, S. 479, 610; P.A. 78-303, S. 122, 136; P.A. 89-292, S. 3, 6; P.A. 92-210, S. 1; P.A. 14-131, S. 12; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 21-2, S. 212; P.A. 22-67, S. 1; P.A. 23-117, S. 2; P.A. 24-147, S. 1.)

Long History

History: P.A. 73-164 deleted provisions concerning bureau of labor statistics, substituted reference to “the general powers conferred upon the office of the labor commissioner under the general statutes or in accordance with federal law” for detailed listing of specific powers and made other language changes; P.A. 76-209 restored provisions re bureau of labor statistics and re specific powers of commissioner, specified that persons need not leave “the vicinity of their residences or places of business” to give depositions and made minor language changes; P.A. 77-614 deleted provisions re bureau of labor statistics and re appointment of deputy commissioner, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 78-303 required commission to collect and collate population and employment data, to make projections re employment and to analyze data concerning present job requirements and potential needs of new industry; P.A. 89-292 added Subsecs. (b) and (c) concerning the commissioner's responsibilities for employment and training programs; P.A. 92-210 added Subsec. (d) authorizing the commissioner to request the attorney general to bring an action in superior court; P.A. 14-131 added Subsec. (e) re duty of commissioner to assist state agencies, boards and commissions in recognizing military training and experience for professional or occupational licensure, effective July 1, 2014; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 21-2 amended Subsec. (a) by adding Subdiv. designators (1) and (2), deleting provision re analysis of data and inclusion of statistical details in commissioner's annual report and making a technical change, amended Subsec. (b) by replacing provisions re administration of coordination of employment and training programs, implementation of Connecticut Employment and Training Commission plan and development and maintenance of comprehensive inventory of programs with provision allowing adoption of regulations for all programs within jurisdiction of Labor Department, deleted former Subsec. (c) re provision of staff and other resources to commission, and redesignated existing Subsecs. (d) and (e) as Subsecs. (c) and (d), effective July 1, 2021; P.A. 22-67 amended Subsec. (b) to remove the requirements that Labor Commissioner collect and collate population and employment data and data concerning present job requirements and potential needs of new industry, effective May 23, 2022; P.A. 23-117 amended Subsec. (a) by deleting “its relation to capital,” replacing “men and women” with “individuals”, deleting “and moral” and making technical changes, effective June 27, 2023; P.A. 24-147 added Subsec. (e) authorizing commissioner to enter into contractual agreements, and added Subsec. (f) clarifying that commissioner's duties not limited to provisions of this section, effective June 6, 2024.