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Panel divided over penalty increases and permit revocations for youth work programs
Summary
Proposed changes to minor labor law would raise penalties and expand L&I authority to revoke minor work permits after repeated violations; labor groups supported stronger enforcement while construction and apprenticeship groups warned of chilling effects on training programs.
Senate Bill 57 56, a proposed substitute modifying penalties for violations of minor labor laws and limiting variances for hazardous work, drew testimony both for and against stronger enforcement.
Committee staff said the substitute raises penalties for infractions involving minor work permits and recordkeeping, and creates penalty tiers up to $71,000 for violations resulting in serious physical harm or death; penalties may be doubled for willful or repeated violations. The bill would require L&I to revoke a minor work permit for specified repeat or serious violations and would bar variances allowing minors to perform hazardous activities normally prohibited by age.
Supporters including unions, building trades, apprenticeship programs and safety advocates said higher penalties and stricter permit revocation rules are needed to protect children participating in student-learner and work-based programs. "These solutions will ensure greater accountability for contractors who hire children, improve compliance with child labor laws and enhance safety for our children in the workforce," testified a building-trades representative.
Opponents including Associated General Contractors and construction-industry training groups warned that the proposed sanctions could have a chilling effect on apprenticeship and youth training programs that teach minors to use equipment safely. Industry witnesses recommended separating wage-and-hour and health-and-safety enforcement and urged preserving the ability to teach equipment use to 16- and 17-year-olds under supervised apprenticeship programs.
Committee members asked staff for further data and analysis; staff noted a partial fiscal note showing L&I revenues and costs. No committee action was taken Tuesday.
