Assembly hears AB215 to restrict late-night school‑night shifts for 16–18‑year‑old students; sponsors cite safety and academic impacts

The Assembly Commerce and Labor Committee heard Assembly Bill 215 on March 20, a bill that would limit work hours for minors who are 16 or older and enrolled in high school. The amendment presented to the committee would prohibit work between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. on nights preceding a school day for a child 16 to under 19 who is enrolled in the current academic year and not emancipated. Exemptions in the amendment include performances in stage or movie productions and some hospitality or summer roles; a school district or juvenile court may grant an exemption if in the student’s best interest.

Sponsor Assemblymember Danielle Monroe Moreno said the measure grew out of conversations with students at Shadow Ridge High School and aims to protect academic progress and safety. “It’s our responsibility as legislators to make sure we are not setting kids up to fail,” Monroe Moreno said. Co‑sponsors included Assemblymembers Brian Hibbetts and Cynthia Moore.

Two students from Shadow Ridge testified about the bill. Teagan Clark, a senior, described repeated late shifts that left her sleeping four to six hours and relying on energy drinks; she said exhaustion impaired grades and social relationships. “Working late shifts…has put me in difficult situations. Driving home alone…posed safety concerns,” Clark said. Karissa Murdoch described working long evenings and scorekeeping late games; she said switching away from those late hours restored her grades and mental health.

Teachers and school administrators supported the bill. Coach and teacher Matt Nighswonger and other educators described high school students who are chronically tired in class and said the bill would protect academic attainment. RISE, Goodwill of Southern Nevada, the NAACP Las Vegas chapter and the City of North Las Vegas also offered support.

Employers and the Nevada Restaurant Association testified neutral; restaurant representatives said many small businesses rely on student workers and asked for continued dialogue about practical implementation. Some lawmakers raised concerns about families that depend on teens’ earnings; Assemblymember Carter urged sensitivity to multigenerational, immigrant households where student income supports a family. Sponsors noted the amendment allows summer and performance exceptions and a juvenile‑court or school district waiver process.

Committee members asked how the rule would apply to students in online or year‑round programs; sponsors said the restriction would attach to a student’s scheduled school day so summer breaks and non‑school days would not be restricted. Sponsors also clarified the weekly hour cap in the amendment is 40 hours during the academic year, with broader latitude in summer.

No committee vote on AB215 was recorded during the hearing. The sponsors asked members to consider the amendment on the desk and continue stakeholder discussions.