2024 Senate Bill 963

AI Analysis – Experimental

Senate Bill No. 965 proposes amendments to the Youth Employment Standards Act of 1978 (PA 90). The bill revises sections 3, 20, 21, and 22 of the Act, specifically addressing the employment conditions for minors. The primary provisions include prohibiting the employment of minors in hazardous or injurious occupations unless a deviation is granted under section 20. The minimum age for employment is set at 14 years, with exceptions for minors aged 11 to 13 in specific roles such as youth athletic program referees, golf caddies, and bridge caddies, provided certain conditions are met.

The bill mandates the director to establish rules regarding the working conditions, safety, health, and personal well-being of minors and to grant deviations from these standards if deemed in the best interests of the minor and the community. However, deviations cannot permit employment between 12 a.m. and 5 a.m. or in hazardous occupations. The director is also tasked with enforcing the Act, including inspecting workplaces and imposing administrative fines up to $5,000 per violation, with collected fines deposited into the general fund.

Significant changes to existing laws include stricter penalties for violations. Employers found guilty of employing minors in violation of the Act face escalating penalties: misdemeanors for first offenses, felonies for subsequent offenses, and severe penalties if a minor is killed or suffers great bodily harm while working. Fines range from $5,000 to $500,000, and imprisonment terms vary from one year to 20 years, depending on the severity and recurrence of the offense.

The legislation impacts various stakeholders, including employers, minors, and regulatory authorities. Employers must adhere to stricter regulations and face substantial penalties for non-compliance, while minors benefit from enhanced protections against hazardous work conditions. The director's role is expanded to include more rigorous enforcement and the ability to seek judicial remedies against violators.