A bill that targets employment restrictions for minors has moved forward in the Florida legislature.
HB 49, which is titled “Employment and Curfew of Minors,” passed the full house on Thursday with a vote of 80 to 35.
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If it becomes law, 16 and 17-year-olds would be able to work earlier hours, more than eight hours per day on a school night and more than six days in a row.
It also allows 16 and 17-year-olds to work the same number of hours as a person who is 18 or older.
HB 49 was filed by House Republican Linda Chaney, St. Pete Beach.
The bill also addresses how and when minors ages 15 or younger can work. Read about it here.
A similar bill, SB 1596, which removes some restrictions for 16 and 17-year-olds who are working across the state, moved forward in the Florida Senate last Tuesday.
If it becomes law, SB 1596 would allow the workday to begin at 5:30 a.m. for 16 and 17-year-olds, and for the workday to end at midnight.
16 and 17-year-olds would still only be able to work eight hours max in one day.
The Senate committee for Commerce and Tourism favored the bill in a 4-1 vote last Tuesday.
If signed into law by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, HB 49 or SB 1596 will go into effect on July 1, 2024.