DeWine vetoes bill to lower working age for teens

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine vetoed the following bill:

Senate Bill 50, to amend sections 3331.02 and 4109.07 of the Revised Code regarding age and schooling certificate requirements and work hours for a person under 16 years of age.

Governor DeWine issued the following veto message: 

"Learning to work is an essential part of growing up.  Businesses across Ohio each day give young people the opportunity to learn the so-called soft skills that will serve them well when they become adults.  In analyzing this bill, it is important to define what it would do and what it would not do.

"The bill would, for the first time, allow 14- and 15-year-olds to work up to 9 p.m. on SCHOOL NIGHTS. Our child work rules have been in place, across this country, for many years.  They have provided that 14- and 15-year-olds can work after school up to 7 p.m. This bill would extend that time to 9 p.m. I believe it unwise to provide for 14- and 15-year-olds to work, on a school night, that late at night. I see no compelling reason to deviate from current law.

"Under current law, 14- and 15-year-old children CAN work up to 9pm during the summer months and during any school break longer than 5 days in duration (i.e., Christmas break and spring break). Further, under current law, those 16 and older can work up to 9 p.m. even on school nights.  The only thing at issue here is whether, for 14- and 15-year-olds, DURING THE SCHOOL WEEK, the time when work must cease is 7 p.m. or 9 p.m.  I believe the current law has served us well and has effectively balanced the importance of 14- and 15-year-old children learning to work, with the importance of them having time to study.

"For the reasons set forth above, this veto is in the public interest."

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