Republican State Lawmakers Seek to Eliminate Work Permits for 14 and 15-Year-Olds

Tuesday, August 22nd, 2023 -- 11:00 AM

(Hope Karnopp, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel) Three Republican lawmakers are seeking to eliminate work permits for 14- and 15-year-olds, a proposal that comes amid a national push to loosen regulations for young workers and at a time when child labor violations are increasing.

According to Hope Karnopp with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Sen. Cory Tomczyk, R-Mosinee, and Rep. Clint Moses, R-Menomonie, who are both business owners, introduced the proposal last week along with Rep. Amy Binsfeld, R-Sturgeon Bay.

In a memo seeking co-sponsors, the bill authors called work permits "needless administrative barriers that slow down the hiring process." The bill comes as businesses are struggling to find workers in the tight labor market.

"It’s important that young people have the opportunity to work without having to endure excessive government regulation," the authors said. The bill would effectively eliminate work permits for young employees in Wisconsin, as state law changed in 2017 to remove the requirement for 16- and 17-year-olds.

That law also replaced references of "child labor" in state statutes to the "employment of minors." Labor groups like the Wisconsin AFL-CIO opposed that effort, arguing permits protect young workers from exploitation and give parents a say in their child's employment.

"Work permits are an important piece of safety for children in the workforce, and we are opposed to any further reduction in the age which would require a work permit," AFL-CIO Wisconsin president Stephanie Bloomingdale said in an interview.

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