Teenagers shouldn’t feel the brunt of our state’s failure to invest in work supports for Alabamians. Current law protects 14- and 15-year-olds by the common-sense step of requiring work permits through their schools if they are going to work. This helps ensure that the teenager is capable of performing in school and working as well.
SB 53, sponsored by Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, would remove this guardrail for child workers. This bill was carried over to a future date in the House Commerce and Small Business Committee on March 6. Your representative needs to hear from you that you oppose SB 53 and they should, too.
Teenagers aren’t the solution to Alabama’s workforce issues, and removing child labor protections won’t fix Alabama’s problems. Under this bill, school workers would lose the ability to protect middle school and high school students unprepared to fulfill both work and school roles.
Please email your senator today and ask them to oppose SB 53.