The proposed bill, titled the "On-the-Job Workforce Training Act," amends section 448.110 of the Florida Statutes to introduce new provisions regarding minimum wage requirements for certain employees participating in work-based learning opportunities. Specifically, the bill exempts employers from state minimum wage obligations for employees involved in structured work-study, internships, or pre-apprenticeship programs, provided these employees voluntarily opt out of receiving the minimum wage. The bill establishes a maximum duration for these work-based learning opportunities—252 days for general employees and 126 days for those under 18—while also defining what constitutes a "work-based learning opportunity" and outlining the necessary criteria for such programs.

Additionally, the bill mandates that employees who opt out of the state minimum wage must do so by signing a waiver, which must be acknowledged by a parent or guardian if the employee is a minor. Employers are prohibited from coercing employees into waiving their rights to the minimum wage. Furthermore, the bill stipulates that, upon completion of the work-based learning opportunity, employees must be compensated at or above the state minimum wage, regardless of their job title. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
H 221 Filed: 448.110
H 221 c1: 448.110