Senate Bill 462 aims to amend existing child labor laws in Wisconsin by raising the age at which minors require a work permit from under 16 years to under 18 years. This change means that all individuals under 18 will now need a written permit to be employed, including in street trades, which previously had specific age restrictions. The bill also introduces a new provision allowing minors to work as election inspectors without a permit. Additionally, it amends various sections of the statutes to remove references to the previous age limit and to clarify the requirements for obtaining permits.

The bill includes several key amendments, such as the requirement for employers to obtain permits for all minors and the stipulation that permits must be kept on file for inspection. It also emphasizes that permits are necessary for employment during school hours and specifies that a high school diploma or equivalency can be accepted as proof of completion of schooling. The legislation repeals a previous section that provided exceptions to these rules, thereby tightening regulations around the employment of minors. Overall, the bill seeks to enhance protections for younger workers by ensuring that all minors are subject to the same permit requirements.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 102.60(1m)(c), 102.60, 103.25(1), 103.25, 103.27(2), 103.27, 103.28(2), 103.28, 103.70(1), 103.70, 103.70(2)(a), 103.70(2)(b)(intro.), 103.71(1), 103.71, 103.74(intro.), 103.74, 103.80(2), 103.80, 103.81(1), 103.81, 103.81(2), 103.81(2m)