Bill would allow teens to work more during school year

Rep. Dusty Johnson, R-S.D., introduced a bill last week that would loosen federal work hour limitations for 14- and 15-year-olds. Students under 16 can only work until 7 p.m. during the school year, but Johnson’s bill would increase the time to 9 p.m. year-round. The bill would also raise students’ maximum weekly hours from 18 to 24.

Why did Johnson introduce the bill? If teenagers may participate in sporting events or play video games during the evening, they should also have the option to work, Johnson said in an interview over the Labor Day weekend. He wrote on his website that many teens like their summer jobs and would like to continue working during the school year. He said the bill, called the Teens Earning Everyday Necessary Skills Act, would not mandate teens to work more, but instead give them more flexibility to work.

Dig deeper: Read Lauren Dunn’s report in Schooled on the teen workforce making a comeback after COVID-19.