More Wisconsin teenagers would be able to work jobs without obtaining permits under a Republican-authored bill the state Assembly approved and sent to Gov. Tony Evers on Tuesday, according to the Associated Press. The new bill eliminates the requirement for 14- and 15-year-olds.
The proposal doesn’t change state law governing how many hours minors can work or prohibiting them from working dangerous jobs.
The bill would cost the state about $216,000 in revenue annually from lost permit fees and eliminate the state Department of Workforce’s only means of gathering child labor data, according to a fiscal estimate from the agency; however, supporters say the measure would eliminate red tape for both employers and teenage job applicants and bolster the state’s workforce.
The bill, which was approved by the Senate in October, passed in the Assembly by a 62–34 vote. The measure goes next to Evers, who will likely veto it. He nixed a bill in 2022 that would have allowed 14- and 15-year-olds to work longer summer hours.
