Governor Ned Lamont has signed new legislation, Public Act 26-17, empowering the state comptroller to withhold payments from contractors and subcontractors on state-funded public works projects when stop-work orders are in effect due to violations of Connecticut's prevailing wage statutes.
Previously, the state comptroller was required to continue payments to contractors even while the Connecticut Department of Labor had issued stop-work orders for prevailing wage violations. This new law closes that loophole, allowing payments to be withheld until cases are resolved and workers are repaid.
Governor Lamont said, "Our administration is committed to protecting the rights of Connecticut workers and will stand by them to ensure they are being compensated fairly and in accordance with the law." He added that the legislation acts as a strong deterrent to wage theft.
Comptroller Sean Scanlon, a leading proponent, said, "The premise of this law is simple: if you don’t pay workers what they’re owed on a taxpayer-funded project, the state’s not going to pay you until you make it right." The bill passed the House 107-40 and the Senate 31-5.
Effective October 1, 2026, this measure provides the state with an additional tool to ensure compliance with wage laws and hold those who violate these rules accountable, reinforcing protections for workers across Connecticut.