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SB68

Alaska SB 68: Changes to Rules on Working Hours and Minors

Last scannedSep 21, 2026, 12:32 AM

In one sentence

This bill updates rules for flexible work schedules, changes the age requiring special permission to hire minors from under 17 to under 16, adds a family exemption, and increases daily hour limits for young workers.

What it does

  • Increases the maximum hours allowed per day in voluntary flexible work plans from 10 to 12 if total weekly hours stay at or below 40.
  • Lowers the age threshold so that employers must get written permission to hire minors under 16 instead of under 17.
  • Allows family members to employ a minor without special authorization if they own and operate the business or boat directly supervising the work.
  • Increases the daily combined limit for school attendance and employment from nine hours to ten hours for minors under 16.
  • Removes previous sections of law that allowed exceptions for certain types of employment outside standard rules.

Who it affects

  • Employers in Alaska who hire workers on flexible schedules or employ minors.
  • Minors under the age of 16 seeking jobs or working part-time while attending school.
  • Family members, defined as parents, grandparents, adult siblings, aunts, or uncles, who own businesses and wish to directly supervise a minor relative at work.

Limits and unknowns

  • The bill text does not list a specific date when these changes will officially take effect.
  • The rules apply only within the State of Alaska and do not cover federal employment laws or other states.

Plain language

Terms to know

Voluntary flexible work hour plan
A written agreement between an employer and employee that allows different daily or weekly hours than the standard schedule, subject to department approval.
General written authorization
Official permission from the state commissioner required for employers who want to hire minors under 16 years old.

Official record

Sources

Validated
Official bill pageIntroduced textCurrent bill text

Official summary

EMPLOYMENT OF MINORS An Act relating to employment; relating to voluntary flexible work hour plans; relating to the employment of minors; and relating to hours worked by minors employed in the state.

Official activity

Bill history

  1. (S) Minutes (SSTA)Min
  2. (S) Heard & HeldText
  3. (S) STATE AFFAIRS at 03:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)Text
  4. (S) REFERRED TO STATE AFFAIRS65
  5. (S) GOVERNOR'S TRANSMITTAL LETTER65
  6. (S) FN1: ZERO(LWF)65
  7. (S) STA, L&C65
  8. (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS65