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Bill

HB 5409

AN ACT CONCERNING TROOPS-TO-TRADES INITIATIVES.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Saud Anwar and 17 co-sponsors

HB 5409 creates pathways enabling military veterans to transition into skilled trade careers through credential recognition and apprenticeship programs.

FILE NO. 149
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Bill Summary · HB 5409

Legislative bill overview

HB 5409 establishes or expands Connecticut's "Troops-to-Trades" initiatives, which facilitate the transition of military veterans into skilled trades careers such as construction, electrical work, plumbing, and HVAC. The bill likely creates pathways for credential recognition, apprenticeship programs, or training partnerships between military service and civilian trade industries.

Why is this important

Veterans often possess technical skills from military service that don't directly translate to civilian licensing requirements, creating barriers to employment despite their qualifications. Troops-to-Trades programs address unemployment and underemployment among veterans while filling critical labor shortages in skilled trades—sectors experiencing significant worker shortages across the United States.

Potential points of contention

  • Credential reciprocity standards: Disagreement over which military certifications should automatically qualify for civilian trade licenses, and whether standards are too lenient or too restrictive
  • Funding and implementation costs: Questions about state budget allocation, whether apprenticeship programs require new funding or repurpose existing resources, and who bears costs (state, employers, or veterans)
  • Apprenticeship wage requirements: Tension between keeping training affordable for veterans versus union wage standards and whether prevailing wage rules apply to transitioning service members

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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