Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill authorizing 16- and 17-year-olds to work more than 30 hours per week with their parents’ approval. The bill signed by DeSantis is a scaled-back version of the plan originally proposed by Republican House members during the 2024 legislative session.
Republican Representative Linda Chaney of St. Pete Beach introduced the Youth Employment and Curfew Act, House Bill 49. Her original version would have allowed 16- and 17-year-olds to work more than 40 hours a week and more than eight hours a day, without breaks. It also would not have allowed parents to have a say in their children’s work hours.
Democrats raised objections, saying it would violate child labor laws.
The signing of HB 49 by the governor, which had drawn criticism from worker advocacy groups early in the session, took place without fanfare. In fact, his office announced the approval in a press release alongside 24 other bills the governor signed Friday afternoon.
The law will take effect on July 1 and will allow Florida minors over 16 to work more than 30 hours per week if a parent, guardian, or school superintendent grants permission in a waiver. Teenagers of the same ages could work more than eight hours on weekends and holidays.
Later, the Florida Senate revised the measure to give parents a voice. The final version would prohibit 16- and 17-year-olds from working more than eight hours if they have school the next day, unless it is a Sunday or holiday.
Originally, the bill exempted any break requirements for those over 16, but the final version signed by DeSantis states that older teenagers must have a 30-minute break every four hours if their shift lasts more than eight hours. Under the law set to take effect in a few months, employers could schedule 16- and 17-year-olds to work more than six consecutive days.
Still, 16- and 17-year-olds who are homeschooled and those attending virtual schools can work without any of the limitations the state imposes on minors.
Image: LaPatilla
