Legislation aimed at loosening child labor restrictions advances in Kentucky

Frankfort, KY — A bill that would allow 16- and 17-year-olds to work longer and later hours, among other child labor law rollbacks, is advancing in the Kentucky Legislature.

Sponsored by Rep. Phillip Pratt (R-Georgetown), H.B. 255 was approved by the Kentucky House with an 60-36 vote on Feb. 22. It now advances to the state Senate.

The legislation would repeal the current daily work limit of six hours on school days, eight hours on non-school days and 30 hours a week during the school year. It also would remove a statute that gives the state’s commissioner for workplace standards the power to promulgate future protections for teen workers that he or she deems necessary.

Kentucky allows 16- and 17-year-olds to work more during a school week if they receive parental permission and maintain at least a 2.0 grade-point average.

Pratt and his Republican colleagues who support the bill contend it allows teens who want or need to work more flexibility, offers valuable life skills, and falls in line with federal standards. Opponents, however, claim the legislation opens the door for employers to take advantage of low-income youth, makes teens choose between prioritizing work or school, and allows teens to work more hazardous jobs.

Speaking on the House floor before the vote, Pratt – who owns a landscaping and lawn care business – said allowing more teens to enter the workforce “is not just an educational or social issue, but an economic imperative.”