Latest news with #SB427
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
WV House committee advances bill repealing work permits for children
The House Government Organization Committee on Wednesday approved Senate Bill 427 with an amendment from Del. Kayla Young, pictured here. The bill would repeal the work permit process for 14- and 15-year olds in the state. Young's amendment clarifies that an age certificate must include a job description supplied by the employer, not the child seeking employment. (Perry Bennett | West Virginia Legislative Photography) A bill that would repeal the work permit requirements for West Virginia 14- and 15-year-olds seeking employment is nearing a vote in the House of Delegates. The House Government Organization Committee on Wednesday signed off on Senate Bill 427 on Wednesday. The minimum legal age to work in West Virginia is 14. Currently, state law requires 14- and 15-year-olds who want to work to get a permit from their school superintendent. The permit includes age certification, a commitment by the employer to employ the child legally, a description of the work the child is applying to do, a signature by the child's principal saying that they're attending school, and parental consent. If SB 427 becomes law, employers seeking to hire the teenagers would be required to obtain an age certificate verifying the child's age from the state Division of Labor and the written consent of the child's parent or guardian. The age certificate would include the child's age, name and date of birth as well as information about the job they're seeking, among other things. The committee adopted an amendment from Del. Kayla Young, D-Kanawha, that the job description listed on an age certificate be supplied by the employer as opposed to the child. Brooke Farber, deputy commissioner and counsel for the state Division of Labor, testified that the agency prefers that the job description come from the employer to ensure that the job doesn't violate restrictions on children working in hazardous working conditions. State and federal law prohibits minors from working in certain hazardous occupations, including roofing, mining, operating fork lifts and others. 'We just want to make sure, and a 14 or 15 year old might not necessarily be familiar with a hazardous occupation, so that would be it,' she said. The bill will next go to the floor of the House of Delegates to be read three times before delegates vote on the bill.
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
WV Senate passes bill repealing work permit for 14- and 15-year-olds, bill now moves to House
Senate Workforce Committee Chair Sen. Rollan Roberts, R-Raleigh, addresses the Senate on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025 in Charleston, Senators unanimously passed a bill that would exempt 14- and 15-year-olds from needing a work permit to seek employment. (Will Price | West Virginia Legislative Photography) A bill advancing in the West Virginia Legislature would allow 14- and 15-year-olds to work without first obtaining a work permit. The Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill 427 Friday. Currently, state law requires 14- and 15-year-olds who want to work to get a permit from their school superintendent. The permit includes age certification, a commitment by the employer to employ the child legally, a description of the work the child is applying to do, a signature by the child's principal saying that they're attending school, and parental consent. If SB 427 becomes law, employers seeking to hire the teenagers would be required to obtain an age certificate verifying the child's age from the state Division of Labor and the written consent of the child's parent or guardian. The bill would not change the law that prohibits children under 18 from working in certain dangerous jobs, such as logging or demolition, according to Senate Workforce Committee Chair Sen. Rollan Roberts, R-Raleigh. 'Overall, the bill would make it easier for teenagers seeking job opportunities in the state to begin learning valuable skills,' Roberts said. The House of Delegates passed a similar bill last year, but the bill did not make it through the Senate. Opponents of the legislation argued that repealing the work permit process could leave some children open to exploitation by their parents. The bill will next go to the House of Delegates for consideration. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
