NJ Teens Can Work Longer Summer Hours Under New Law

NEW JERSEY - New Jersey teens can now permanently work longer summer hours under a bill signed into law Tuesday by Gov. Phil Murphy amid increased staffing needs across the state.

The bill (A4222) makes permanent a 2021 expansion allowing 16- and 17-year-olds to work a maximum of 50 hours per week up from 40 hours and up to 10 hours per day in the summer. It was passed 40-0 in the state Senate and 74-3 in the Assembly.

The legislation also expands 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 is also eliminated under the law, but parents can still opt-out their children for extended summer working hours.

School districts will 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 starting in June 2023.

The new law 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.