The bill amends section 448.110 of the Florida Statutes to establish specific conditions under which employers are not required to adhere to state minimum wage requirements for certain employees engaged in structured work-based learning opportunities, such as internships or pre-apprenticeships. These opportunities are limited to a maximum duration of nine months or two full-time semesters, each consisting of at least 15 credit hours. Employees may voluntarily opt out of receiving the state minimum wage by signing a waiver, which must acknowledge their right to the state minimum wage and confirm that they are knowingly choosing to accept a lesser amount. Employers are prohibited from coercing employees into opting out, and if the employee is a minor, parental consent is required for the waiver to be valid.

Additionally, the bill stipulates that employers must pay employees at least the federal minimum wage, and any waiver to opt out of the state minimum wage is only valid for nine months from the start of employment. After this period, employees must be compensated at or above the state minimum wage, regardless of their job title. The bill also includes a severability clause, ensuring that if any part of the law is deemed invalid, the remaining provisions will still be enforceable. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
H 541 Filed: 448.110
H 541 c1: 448.110
H 541 c2: 448.110