04/20/2023

Reviewing an Ohio Child Labor Bill With an Employment Lawyer

Ohio SB 30 would allow children under the age of 16 to work until 9:00 p.m.

Current Ohio law prevents minors under the age of 16 from working later than 7:00 p.m. during the school year. Ohio SB 30, currently under consideration by the House Committee on Commerce and and Labor, would allow children under the age of 16 to work until 9:00 p.m. any time during the year if their parent or guardian permits them to do so.

Proponents of the legislation have testified that the bill would be good for kids interested in getting work experience. “So much of a young person’s time today is spent in front of a screen,” said Tod Bowen, a representative of the Ohio Restaurant Association (ORA), in his testimony during the Commerce and Labor Committee’s April 18 meeting. “Employment opportunities, especially in sectors like foodservice, retail and hospitality, really do provide young people the chance to interact with the public and learn critical life skills.”

Christopher Ferruso, the Ohio State Director of the National Foundation of Independent Businesses (NFIB), wrote in his proponent testimony that SB 30 could help fill employment vacancies, bringing an economics benefit, as well.

Please select this link to read the complete article from WTAP-NBC.