Ohio Governor Mike DeWine vetoes child work bill

OHIO (WJW) — Governor Mike DeWine is standing by his veto of Senate Bill 50, which would’ve permitted 14 and 15-year-olds to work after 7 p.m. 

“I did not see a compelling need, frankly, to change that,” he said. “It is pretty much the law in this country at 7 o’clock, so this would be a rather dramatic change in the law.”

The proposed law would have extended the work window for teenagers until 9 p.m. year-round, including school nights, with parental permission.

State Representative Mark Johnson believes it would’ve been good for teenagers.

“There’s so much responsibility to be learned in a work environment,” he said. “We’re raising an entire generation that goes through high school and goes through college even without a lick of work environment experience.”

Johnson said “guardrails” are already in place to prevent students from overworking.

Teenagers must have a work permit signed by both the school administrator and a parent or guardian, which can be revoked if their grades fall. 

“They can only work three hours a day and a total of 18 hours a week,” Johnson said. 

The Ohio Restaurant and Hospitality Alliance came out in support of it, arguing that it would help businesses facing staffing shortages in retail and the food service industry.

“Early work changed my life. I started working, actually, at the age of 14, and you know that experience taught me customer service, communication skills and responsibility,” said Donovan O’Neil, State Director of Americans for Prosperity Ohio.

But not everyone agrees, and some think the change could become a slippery slope that infringes upon child labor laws.

“We have been fighting for child labor laws for so long. Why are we changing stuff? I feel like this is regressing backwards,” said Jamie Shumaker, Executive Director of AFL-CIO Central Ohio.

Shumaker believes kids should focus on their education and supports the veto.

“They’re in school, they play sports, they have homework. I know how exhausting it is,” she said.

Despite the veto, the law remains in play, with lawmakers deciding their next move.

Rep. Johnson said both a legislative override and a compromise of 8 p.m. are being considered.

A legislative override would have to start in the Ohio Senate and must be supported by the House.

That action could take months.

Johnson said if the Senate moves forward, they have the votes in the House to support it.