Over the last few years, several states have passed or attempted to pass laws that relax existing child labor restrictions. Such changes have the potential to impact the workforce, workplace safety, and claims management down the line.
Recently, Florida, Maine and West Virginia have introduced new bills that could allow for expansions to child labor.
Florida Senate Bill 918 and Florida House Bill 1225 would allow 16- and 17-year-olds to work more than eight hours a day on school nights, before the hours of 6:30 AM and after 11:00 PM on school nights, and over 30 hours a week while school is in session, without mandated breaks. Additionally, the bills would allow for 14- and 15-year-olds who have graduated from high school, are home-schooled, or attending virtual school to work similar hours.
Maine Legislative Document 644 would expand employment opportunities for minor students by eliminating certain work limitations. Minors aged 16 or 17 would be allowed to work:
- More than 50 hours per week when school is not in session
- More than 24 hours per week when school is in session
- More than 6 hours per day when school is in session
- More than 10 hours per day when school is not in session, and
- More than 6 consecutive days
- After 10:15 PM on a day preceding a school day
- After 12 midnight on a day that does not precede a school day
- Before 7:00 AM on a school day
- Before 5:00 AM on non-school days
- During the hours that public schools where the minor resides are in session
Furthermore, this bill would eliminate record-keeping requirements regarding work hours for minors.
Maine also introduced Legislative Document 618 which would allow minors under 16 years of age to work until 9:00 PM during the school year, and until 10:00 PM during summer vacation. And finally, Maine Legislative Document 112 would allow businesses to pay employees in secondary school 50% of the state’s minimum wage.
Meanwhile, West Virginia Senate Bill 427 would remove work permit requirements for 14 and 15 year-olds. According to the bill, only written parental/guardian consent would be required, along with an age certificate from the state Division of Labor. The bill authorizes the Division to issue such age certificates, solely based on receiving proof of age in the form of a birth certificate or attested transcript thereof, issued by the registrar of vital statics.
A child of 14 or 15 would be able to work any gainful occupation, except as noted in §21-6-2., which lists exceptions involving heavy machinery and motor vehicles, explosives and flammable substances, radiation, forging and smelting, mining, slaughter and meat packing, excavation, demolition, and more.
