Pennsylvania HB 1726: An Act amending the the act of October 24, 2012 (P.L.1209, No.151), known as the Child Labor Act, further providing for definitions, for occupations and establishments, for employment of minors in a performance and for duties of employer; repealing provisions relating to work permit; and further providing for administration and for newspaper delivery.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 2126
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 1726
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY MOUL, BERNSTINE, STENDER, M. JONES, T. JONES,
COOK, SMITH, STAATS, ANDERSON, E. NELSON, ZIMMERMAN, ROWE,
JAMES AND GILLEN, JULY 11, 2025
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON LABOR AND INDUSTRY, JULY 14, 2025
AN ACT
Amending the act of October 24, 2012 (P.L.1209, No.151),
entitled "An act regulating child labor; conferring powers
and duties on the Department of Labor and Industry and the
Department of Education; imposing penalties; and making a
repeal," further providing for definitions, for occupations
and establishments, for employment of minors in a performance
and for duties of employer; repealing provisions relating to
work permit; and further providing for administration and for
newspaper delivery.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. The definition of "work permit" in section 2 of
the act of October 24, 2012 (P.L.1209, No.151), known as the
Child Labor Act, is amended to read:
Section 2. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
* * *
["Work permit." A transferable work permit allowing
employment of a minor.]
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* * *
Section 2. Sections 4(d)(3), 5(c)(5) and 8(a), (b) and (d)
(3) of the act are amended to read:
Section 4. Occupations and establishments.
* * *
(d) Occupations for minors less than 14 years of age.--An
individual less than 14 years of age may be employed as follows:
* * *
(3) An individual who is at least 12 years of age may be
employed as a youth sports official [and shall not be
required to procure a work permit]. Youth sports officials
who are 12 and 13 years of age shall be subject to the same
limitations established in section 3 for individuals who are
14 and 15 years of age.
Section 5. Employment of minors in a performance.
* * *
(c) Entertainment permits.--The following shall apply:
* * *
[(5) The work permit requirements of section 9 do not
apply to the issuance of permits under this section.]
* * *
Section 8. Duties of employer.
(a) [Work permits and parental] Parental authorization.--
(1) Unless a minor has the items listed in paragraph
(2), a minor may not be employed or permitted to work:
(i) in, about or in connection with an
establishment; or
(ii) in an occupation.
(2) To be employed, a minor under 16 years of age must
have [all of the following:
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(i) A work permit.
(ii) For individuals who are under 16 years of age,]
a written statement by the minor's parent or legal
guardian acknowledging understanding of the duties and
hours of employment and granting permission to work
subject to the provisions of 18 Pa.C.S. § 4904 (relating
to unsworn falsification to authorities).
(3) Before employing a minor, an employer shall [do all
of the following:
(i) Verify the work permit under paragraph (2)(i).
(ii) Receive the verified statement under paragraph
(2)(ii).] receive the verified statement under paragraph
(2).
[(4) An individual who is more than 16 years of age
employed in the distribution, sale, exposing or offering for
sale of any newspaper, or any minor who can demonstrate that
he is working independently of the newspaper publisher in
this work, shall not be required to procure a work permit.
(b) Notification.--The employer shall notify the issuing
officer in writing of the employment of a minor and shall detail
the normal duties and hours of employment within five days after
the beginning of employment and shall include the age and permit
number of the minor. On termination of employment of a minor,
the employer shall notify the issuing officer within five days
of the final day of employment that the minor no longer is
employed by the employer.]
* * *
(d) Records.--An employer shall maintain the following
records at the workplace:
* * *
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(3) For each minor, the employer shall keep a copy of
[the work permit,] the original verified permission statement
required in subsection (a) [and a copy of the letter sent to
the issuing officer announcing the employment of the minor].
* * *
Section 3. Section 9 of the act is repealed:
[Section 9. Work permit.
(a) Form and content.--
(1) A work permit shall be issued on a wallet-sized form
prescribed by the department. The work permit shall contain
the following information related to the minor:
(i) Name.
(ii) Sex.
(iii) Date and place of birth.
(iv) Place of residence.
(v) Color of hair and eyes.
(vi) Any physical work restrictions.
(2) The work permit shall certify that:
(i) the holder has personally appeared before the
issuing officer and has been examined;
(ii) all papers required by law have been examined,