Committee hears bill to let 16- and 17-year-olds in CTE programs work the same weekly hours as college-track peers

House Bill 11-21 would change work-hour rules for 16- and 17-year-olds enrolled in approved career and technical education (CTE) programs, allowing those students to work the same number and frequency of hours during a school week that are currently permitted for students in bona fide college programs.

The staff briefing said the bill ‘‘extends an additional exemption for a minor enrolled in a career and technical education program when that work is performed for an employer approved by the program’’ and ‘‘effectively codifies current L&I rules authorizing this for minors in bona fide college programs like Running Start,’’ according to Kelly Leonard, staff to the committee.

Sponsor Representative Stephanie McClintock (R), who represents the 18th Legislative District, told the committee she carries the bill to help students who gravitate to hands-on trades get paid work experience. "I appreciate being able to present my bill today," McClintock said. She described CTE programs as a pathway that "kept him plugged into school, kept him interested," speaking from personal experience about her son who completed a high-school welding program and later joined the Pipefitters Union.

Supporters from the construction and maritime training community told the committee the bill would improve equity between workforce pathways. Mike Ennis of the Building Industry Association of Washington said the change would "put skilled trade careers on equal footing as college programs, allowing them to work the same hours weekly" and help students graduate with both credits and job experience. Caitlin Keane of Northwest Maritime said allowing on-the-job experience in CTE programs "is critical for a sustainable next-generation workforce." The Association of Washington Businesses and other industry groups also signaled support.

Opponents were not prominent at the hearing; questions focused on how existing permit and authorization processes work. Staff noted the underlying safeguards remain: employers must obtain a minor work permit, parental and school authorization are required, the program must be approved by the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, and L&I rules on time-of-day and prohibited duties continue to apply.

No formal action or vote was taken. Committee members deferred further action while continuing stakeholder discussions.

If advanced, the bill would alter which minors may work longer hours during weeks when they participate in approved CTE work-based learning for an employer approved by their program.