Highlights
Impacted Employers: All employers in Connecticut
Effective Date: October 1, 2026
Summary: Employers must provide reasonable break times for nursing employees under state law, and must provide a new notice about reasonable accommodations for disabilities. The law also enhances workers’ compensation benefit for certain workers.
Next Steps: Review the law in full and determine whether any changes to policies and practices should be made.
The Details
Connecticut has enacted legislation that will mandate that employers provide reasonable break times for nursing employees under state law, require employers to provide a new notice about reasonable accommodations for disabilities, and enhance workers’ compensation benefit for certain workers.
Reasonable Break Time for Nursing Employees
Connecticut law requires employers to make reasonable efforts to provide a room or location for a nursing employee near the work area, that: (1) is private, (2) has or is near a refrigerator or other employee-provided portable cold storage device, and (3) has access to an electrical outlet.
Effective Oct. 1, 2026, Connecticut will also require employers to provide reasonable break times for an employee to express breastmilk for the employee’s nursing child or to breastfeed at the workplace, in addition to the employee’s scheduled breaks.
ADA Notice
Effective Oct. 1, 2026, employers must provide written notice to employees of the right to reasonable accommodations under the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Employers must provide this notice:
- At the start of employment to new hires;
- By Jan. 29, 2027, to existing employees; and
- Within 10 days to an employee who informs the employer that they have a disability.
The law directs the Connecticut Department of Labor to create a notice. An employer may comply with the notice requirements by displaying the version created by the department in a conspicuous place, accessible to employees, at the employer's place of business.
Enhanced Workers’ Compensation Benefits
Effective Oct. 1, 2026, employees of health care providers and certain teachers will be eligible to receive enhanced workers' compensation benefits if they are unable to work due to a physical or negligent assault while performing their duties within the scope of their employment. Review the text of the law for details.
Next Steps
Review the law in full and determine whether any changes to policies and practices should be made.