Connecticut General Statutes 10-20b – Connecticut career certificate. Compliance with state and federal laws and regulations. Student and employer requirements. Compensation
(a) Except for the provisions of chapter 567, all state and federal laws and regulations relating to employment, apprenticeship and occupational licensing shall apply to students in a program leading to a Connecticut career certificate pursuant to section 10-20a. Employers found to be in violation of a federal or state labor law may be prohibited from participation in the program.
(b) Students participating in such programs shall not: (1) Replace any employee or cause any reduction in hours of work, wages or employment benefits of any employee of an employer participating in the program; or (2) be employed in a job from which an employee of a participating employer has been laid off and for which he retains recall rights. No employer shall terminate the employment of any of its employees or otherwise reduce its workforce or work hours in order to fill a vacancy so created with a student participating in the program. The participation of any employer who is a party to one or more collective bargaining agreements covering work to be performed by a student participating in the program shall be conditioned on the written concurrence of each labor organization that is a party to such an agreement.
(c) The employment of students in programs established pursuant to section 10-20a shall be in compliance with sections 31-23 and 31-58 and shall be paid employment, unless the Labor Commissioner, or the commissioner’s designee, in consultation with the Commissioner of Education, or the commissioner’s designee, receives and approves a written request from the principal of the school or the chief executive officer of the agency operating the program in which the student is enrolled, or the designee of such principal or chief executive officer, that such employment not be paid because such employment (1) includes worksite experiences that are generally not paid employment, such as community service activities or field trips, or (2) is an internship. The terms of compensation shall be (A) negotiated between the employer and such principal or chief executive officer, or the designee of such principal or chief executive officer, (B) accepted by the student, (C) based on the nature of the work and the status of the student-worker as a student, (D) reasonable for the actual work performed, and (E) in compliance with the provisions of title 31 concerning the employment of minors.