Wisconsin Republicans propose eliminating work permits for 14- and 15-year-olds

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

Wisconsin Republicans propose eliminating work permits for 14- and 15-year-olds

BY HARM VENHUIZEN
Updated 6:27 PM EDT, August 18, 2023

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Children ages 14 and 15 would no longer need a work permit or parental permission to get a job under a bill Republican Wisconsin lawmakers released on Friday.

The proposal comes amid a wider push by state lawmakers to roll back child labor laws and despite the efforts of federal investigators to crack down on a surge in child labor violations nationally.

Under current law, 14- and 15-year-olds in Wisconsin are prohibited from working most jobs unless they have permission from a parent or guardian and have verified their age with the state Department of Workforce Development. The department can revoke youth work permits at any time if it believes a child’s safety is being threatened.

Sen. Cory Tomczyk and Reps. Clint Moses and Amy Binsfeld, the Republicans sponsoring the bill, called youth work permits “needless administrative barriers that slow down the hiring process.”

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Read more: https://apnews.com/article/wisconsin-child-labor-laws-permit-8c549598fb4ee9a8a3495e3ce17829d2