Connecticut General Statutes 20-341 – Penalties for violations
(a) Any person who wilfully engages in or practices the work or occupation for which a license is required by this chapter or chapter 399b without having first obtained an apprentice permit or a certificate and license for such work, as applicable, or who wilfully employs or supplies for employment a person who does not have a certificate and license for such work, or who wilfully and falsely pretends to qualify to engage in or practice such work or occupation, including, but not limited to, offering to perform such work in any print, electronic, television or radio advertising or listing when such person does not hold a license for such work as required by this chapter, or who wilfully engages in or practices any of the work or occupations for which a license is required by this chapter after the expiration of such person’s license, shall be guilty of a class B misdemeanor, except that no criminal charges shall be instituted against such person pursuant to this subsection unless the work activity in question is reviewed by the Commissioner of Consumer Protection, or the commissioner’s authorized agent, and the commissioner or such agent specifically determines, in writing, that such work activity requires a license and is not the subject of a bona fide dispute between persons engaged in any trade or craft, whether licensed or unlicensed. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (d) or (e) of section 53a-29 and subsection (d) of section 54-56e, if the court determines that such person cannot fully repay any victims of such person within the period of probation established in subsection (d) or (e) of section 53a-29 or subsection (d) of section 54-56e, the court may impose probation for a period of not more than five years. The penalty provided in this subsection shall be in addition to any other penalties and remedies available under this chapter or chapter 416.
Attorney's Note
Under the Connecticut General Statutes, punishments for crimes depend on the classification. In the case of this section:| Class | Prison | Fine |
|---|---|---|
| Class B misdemeanor | up to 6 months | up to $1,000 |
Terms Used In Connecticut General Statutes 20-341
- Apprentice: means any person registered with the Labor Department for the purpose of learning a skilled trade. See Connecticut General Statutes 20-330
- Person: means an individual, partnership, limited liability company or corporation. See Connecticut General Statutes 20-330
- Probation: A sentencing alternative to imprisonment in which the court releases convicted defendants under supervision as long as certain conditions are observed.
(b) The appropriate examining board or the Commissioner of Consumer Protection may, after notice and hearing, impose a civil penalty for each violation on any person who (1) engages in or practices the work or occupation for which a license or apprentice registration certificate is required by this chapter, chapter 394, chapter 399b or chapter 482 without having first obtained such a license or certificate, or (2) wilfully employs or supplies for employment a person who does not have such a license or certificate or who wilfully and falsely pretends to qualify to engage in or practice such work or occupation, or (3) engages in or practices any of the work or occupations for which a license or certificate is required by this chapter, chapter 394, chapter 399b or chapter 482 after the expiration of the license or certificate, or (4) violates any of the provisions of this chapter, chapter 394, chapter 399b or chapter 482 or the regulations adopted pursuant thereto. Such penalty shall be in an amount not more than one thousand dollars for a first violation of this subsection, not more than one thousand five hundred dollars for a second violation of this subsection and not more than three thousand dollars for each violation of this subsection occurring less than three years after a second or subsequent violation of this subsection, except that any individual employed as an apprentice but improperly registered shall not be penalized for a first offense.
(c) If an examining board or the Commissioner of Consumer Protection imposes a civil penalty under the provisions of subsection (b) of this section as a result of a violation initially reported by, a municipal building official in accordance with subsection (c) of section 29-261, the commissioner shall, not less than sixty days after collecting such civil penalty, remit one-half of the amount collected to such municipality.
(d) A violation of any of the provisions of this chapter shall be deemed an unfair or deceptive trade practice under subsection (a) of section 42-110b.
(e) This section shall not apply to any person who (1) holds a license issued under this chapter, chapter 394, chapter 399b or chapter 482 and performs work that is incidentally, directly and immediately appropriate to the performance of such person’s trade where such work commences at an outlet, receptacle or connection previously installed by a person holding the proper license, or (2) engages in work that does not require a license under this chapter, chapter 394, chapter 399b or chapter 482.