NJ Teens May Work More Hours Under New Assembly Bill

NEW JERSEY - Garden State lawmakers are considering new legislation to allow teens to permanently work more hours in New Jersey amid increased staffing needs this summer.

A4222, which would make permanent a 2021 expansion allowing 16- and 17-year-olds to work a maximum of 50 hours per week up from 40 hours, was passed unanimously in the state’s Assembly Labor Committee on Thursday. A companion bill in the Senate is scheduled for a committee hearing.

Sponsored by Sen. Vin Gopal (D-Monmouth), the proposed legislation would also expand working hours for 14- and 15-year-olds to mirror federal laws, which permits up to 40 hours of work in the summer months, as well as increase the amount of time a minor under 18 can work before a required break from five to six hours.

Parental consent for a minor to work would also be eliminated under the bill, but parents can still opt-out their children for extended summer working hours, according to the bill. School districts would also be removed from the working papers process; a centralized statewide database would be implemented instead, with a one-time online registration required for minors.

The bill proposal comes amid a nationwide staffing shortage in retail, restaurants and tourism, as well as patrols in beaches and state parks, prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, some Jersey Shore beaches that faced closures due to lack of lifeguard staffing in 2021 are poised to see the same issue repeat this year. Read more: Lifeguard Shortages Affect One-Third Of Public Swimming Pools In U.S.