(a) The Labor Commissioner shall, within available appropriations, establish the Office of the Unemployed Workers' Advocate within the Labor Department to provide assistance to individuals who are unemployed.
(b) The Office of the Unemployed Workers' Advocate may:
(1) Assist unemployed individuals seeking benefits administered by the Labor Department under chapter 567;
(2) Assist unemployed individuals to understand their rights and responsibilities with respect to benefits administered by the department under chapter 567;
(3) Provide information to the public, state agencies, legislators and others regarding the problems and concerns of unemployed individuals and make recommendations for resolving such problems and concerns;
(4) Assist unemployed individuals with the filing of appeals in connection with the benefits administered by the department under chapter 567;
(5) Analyze and monitor the development and implementation of federal, state and local laws, regulations and policies relating to unemployed individuals and recommend changes the office deems necessary to the appropriate federal, state or local governmental entity;
(6) Receive and review complaints of unemployed individuals and make recommendations to the commissioner for resolving such complaints;
(7) Access prior employment records of an unemployed individual to the extent permitted under state and federal law;
(8) Establish and maintain an Internet web site and a toll-free number, or any other free calling option, to allow unemployed individuals access to the services and information provided by the Office of the Unemployed Workers' Advocate; and
(9) Take any other actions necessary to fulfill the purposes of this section.
(c) Not later than October 1, 2021, the Labor Commissioner shall designate an Unemployed Workers' Advocate, who shall serve at the pleasure of the commissioner, to manage the daily activities and duties of the Office of the Unemployed Workers' Advocate. The Unemployed Workers' Advocate shall have the necessary qualifications to perform the duties of said office, including, but not limited to, having expertise and experience in the fields of unemployment compensation benefits and advocacy for the rights of unemployed individuals. Within available appropriations, the Unemployed Workers' Advocate shall appoint and employ such assistants, employees and personnel as deemed necessary for the efficient and effective administration of the activities of the office.
(June Sp. Sess. P.A. 21-2, S. 32.)
History: June Sp. Sess. P.A. 21-2 effective June 23, 2021.
Structure Connecticut General Statutes
Chapter 556 - Labor Department
Section 31-1. - Labor Department. Commissioner.
Section 31-2. - Powers and duties of commissioner.
Section 31-2a and 31-2b. - Statistical services. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Section 31-2d. - Office of Workforce Competitiveness. Orders. Regulations.
Section 31-3. - Investigation of employment. Special agents authorized.
Section 31-3a. - Manpower development and planning studies and programs.
Section 31-3aa. - Report re self-employment assistance pilot program.
Section 31-3b. - Contracts with or funds from public or private agency or source.
Section 31-3bb. - Program report cards re employment placement.
Section 31-3c. - Job training program for specific employers.
Section 31-3cc. - Collection and analysis of data re gender and other bias in training programs.
Section 31-3d. - Work training opportunities programs.
Section 31-3dd. - Recommendation re budget targets.
Section 31-3ee. - Pilot program for TFA recipients. Report on pilot program for TFA recipients.
Section 31-3f. - Employment training benefits voucher.
Section 31-3ff. - Job Training Partnership Act payments.
Section 31-3g. - Assistance to displaced homemakers. Regulations.
Section 31-3gg. - One-stop centers.
Section 31-3h. - Governor's Workforce Council; duties.
Section 31-3hh. - Regional workforce development board contracts. Regulations.
Section 31-3i. - Governor's Workforce Council: Members.
Section 31-3ii. - Adult education pilot program for incumbent workers. Report.
Section 31-3j. - Regional workforce development boards: Definitions.
Section 31-3jj. - Job training; English as a second language instruction.
Section 31-3k. - Regional workforce development boards: Duties and responsibilities.
Section 31-3kk. - Funds for incumbent worker training programs.
Section 31-3l. - Regional workforce development boards: Members.
Section 31-3ll. - Incumbent Worker Training Program. Regulations.
Section 31-3m. - Agencies involved in employment and training. Duties and responsibilities.
Section 31-3mm. - Youth employment and training funds.
Section 31-3n. - Regulations. Duties of Labor Commissioner and Chief Workforce Officer.
Section 31-3nn. - Mortgage crisis job training program.
Section 31-3o. - Duties of the Governor's Workforce Council.
Section 31-3pp. - Subsidized Training and Employment program.
Section 31-3rr. - Career ladder in green technology industry.
Section 31-3s. - Subsidized employment program for general assistance recipients.
Section 31-3u. - Assistance to employers for job training and meeting ISO 9000 quality standards.
Section 31-3uu. - Unemployed Armed Forces Member Subsidized Training and Employment program.
Section 31-3w. - Establishment of state-wide network of job centers.
Section 31-3ww. - Qualified apprenticeship training program.
Section 31-3x. - Funding. Application for federal waivers.
Section 31-3xx. - Quick-reference guide for workers fifty years of age or older.
Section 31-3y and 31-3z. - Self-employment assistance: Definitions. Regulations.
Section 31-3yy. - Report cards re employment placement programs.
Section 31-4. - Immigrant laborers; protection; penalty for defrauding; printed material re rights.
Section 31-5. - State employment bureaus. Branches.
Section 31-8. - Appeal from orders of commissioner.
Section 31-9. - Factory inspection. Deputy commissioner. Report.
Section 31-10. - Deputy inspectors. Prosecution for violations.
Section 31-11. - Hindering inspector.
Section 31-11a. - Employee Dislocation Allowance Fund established.