Bill
Bill > LD644
ME LD644
An Act to Expand Employment Opportunities for Minor Students by Eliminating Certain Work Limitations
summary
Introduced
02/20/2025
02/20/2025
In Committee
02/20/2025
02/20/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
05/14/2025
05/14/2025
Introduced Session
132nd Legislature
Bill Summary
This bill repeals the provisions of law specifying that a minor 16 or 17 years of age may not work: 1. More than 50 hours in any week when the minor's school is not in session; 2. More than 24 hours in any week when the minor's school is in session; 3. More than 6 hours in any day when the minor's school is in session; 4. More than 10 hours in any day when the minor's school is not in session; 5. More than 6 consecutive days; 6. After 10:15 p.m. on a day preceding a day on which the minor's school is in session or after 12 midnight on a day that does not precede such a school day; or 7. Before 7 a.m. on a day on which the minor's school is in session or before 5 a.m. on any other day. The bill also repeals the provision of law specifying that a minor under 17 years of age may not be employed during the hours that the public schools of the town or city in which the minor resides are in session. The bill also repeals record-keeping requirements regarding work hours for minors.
AI Summary
This bill proposes to eliminate several existing legal restrictions on employment for minors in Maine, effectively expanding work opportunities for students aged 16 and 17. Specifically, the bill repeals previous limitations that regulated the number of hours and times minors could work, including restrictions on working more than 50 hours per week when school is not in session, working more than 24 hours per week during school sessions, and limiting work hours between specific times of day. The legislation removes record-keeping requirements related to minor work hours and eliminates provisions that previously prevented minors under 17 from working during school hours. The bill maintains some protections, such as prohibiting parents from employing their minor children in hazardous occupations as defined by federal regulations, and retains exemptions for certain types of work like agricultural employment and summer camp work. Additionally, the bill slightly modifies language around work exemptions, replacing terms like "provided" with "as long as" and removing some specific maritime work exemptions. Overall, the bill aims to give teenage workers more flexibility in employment by removing what are perceived as overly restrictive work limitations.
Committee Categories
Labor and Employment
Sponsors (10)
Alicia Collins (R)*,
Richard Bradstreet (R),
Scott Cyrway (R),
Gary Drinkwater (R),
Sharon Frost (I),
Kimberly Haggan (R),
Rachel Henderson (R),
Wayne Parry (R),
Jennifer Poirier (R),
David Rollins (D),
Last Action
Placed in Legislative Files (DEAD) (on 05/14/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=644&snum=132 |
| Fiscal Note: Text | https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/bills_132nd/fiscalpdfs/FN064401.pdf |
| BillText | https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/getPDF.asp?paper=HP0412&item=1&snum=132 |
Loading...