Work restrictions/age 16, 17

AN ACT Relating to the restrictions on the working conditions and 1
hours of sixteen- and seventeen-year olds meeting certain criteria; 2
adding a new section to chapter 49.12 RCW; and creating a new 3
section. 4
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:5
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. (1) The legislature finds that the 6
department of labor and industries has adopted rules outlining the 7
number of hours sixteen- and seventeen-year olds may work during 8
school and nonschool weeks. These rules currently allow students 9
participating in a bona fide college program, such as running start, 10
to work the same number of hours for any employer (s) during the 11
school weeks as allowed during nonschool weeks; however, a student 12
participating in a career and technical education program is not 13
provided the same opportunity to work more hours, including for 14
employers who are approved by the career and technical education 15
program. Many students enrolled in career and technical education 16
programs are focused on gaining more on-the-job experience to help 17
propel them in their future careers, and want to spend more hours 18
working for an employer tied with their career and technical 19
education program. For example, a student may attend traditional high 20
school classes in the morning until lunch and then participate in 21
H-0068.1
HOUSE BILL 1121
State of Washington 69th Legislature 2025 Regular Session
By Representatives McClintock, Schmidt, Jacobsen, and Orcutt
Prefiled 12/23/24. Read first time 01/13/25. Referred to Committee
on Labor & Workplace Standards.
p. 1 HB 1121
work-based learning at an approved employer jobsite for the remainder 1
of the school day with opportunity to work more than four hours per 2
day. 3
(2) Therefore, the legislature intends to direct the department 4
of labor and industries to revise the current rules outlining the 5
hours sixteen- and seventeen-year olds may work during school weeks, 6
so that students enrolled in a bona fide college program and a career 7
and technical education program are treated equitably and both are 8
allowed to work the same number of hours during school weeks as 9
permitted during nonschool weeks. 10
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 49.12 11
RCW to read as follows: 12
(1) The rules adopted under this chapter must allow a sixteen- or 13
seventeen-year old minor to work the same number and frequency of 14
hours during the school year as would be permitted during school 15
vacations or holidays if: 16
(a) The minor is enrolled in a bona fide college program; or17
(b) The minor is enrolled in a career and technical education 18
program and the work is performed for an employer approved by the 19
program. 20
(2) For purposes of this section, "career and technical education 21
program" refers to a work-based learning program approved by the 22
office of the superintendent of public instruction or the minor's 23
school district, including but not limited to core plus programs.24
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p. 2 HB 1121