Signed by Governor Patrick Morrisey

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to amend and pass a bill that authorizes parental consent instead of a worker's permit for the employment of minors under the age of 16 in West Virginia.

Highlights:

• Amends current child labor laws to authorize parental consent for 14- and 15-year-olds to work in West Virginia instead of requiring them to obtain a worker’s permit (Sec. ).

• Prohibits minors under 18 from working in certain dangerous jobs, including, but not limited to (Article 6, Sec. 21-6-3):

• Logging; or 

• Demolition.

• Requires employers seeking to hire minors to obtain an age certificate verifying their age from the state Division of Labor and the written consent of their parent or legal guardian (Article 6, Sec. 21-6-3).

• Specifies that employers found to have violated these provisions to be guilty of a misdemeanor offense and subject to the following penalties, including (Article 6, Sec. 21-6-3):

• For a first offense, a fine of between $50 and $200;

• For second or subsequent offenses, a fine of between $200 and $1,000 and/or confined to a county or regional jail for no more than 6 months.

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill shall take effect immediately upon passage and approval by the Governor (Article 6, Sec. 21-6-3).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes parental consent instead of a worker's permit for the employment of minors under the age of 16 in West Virginia.

Highlights:

• Amends current child labor laws to authorize parental consent for 14- and 15-year-olds to work in West Virginia instead of requiring them to obtain a worker’s permit (Sec. ).

• Prohibits minors under 18 from working in certain dangerous jobs, including, but not limited to (Article 6, Sec. 21-6-3):

• Logging; or 

• Demolition.

• Requires employers seeking to hire minors to obtain an age certificate verifying their age from the state Division of Labor and the written consent of their parent or legal guardian (Article 6, Sec. 21-6-3).

• Specifies that employers found to have violated these provisions to be guilty of a misdemeanor offense and subject to the following penalties, including (Article 6, Sec. 21-6-3):

• For a first offense, a fine of between $50 and $200;

• For second or subsequent offenses, a fine of between $200 and $1,000 and/or confined to a county or regional jail for no more than 6 months.

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill shall take effect immediately upon passage and approval by the Governor (Article 6, Sec. 21-6-3).

Full Bill Text