State Rep. Mike Hoadley today led House Republicans in passing legislation to remove the requirement for minors to obtain work permits in Michigan. 

“Young people benefit greatly from early work experience,” said Hoadley (R-Au Gres). “We owe it to them to remove the unnecessary barriers that delay these employment opportunities. My plan will simplify the hiring process while continuing to strengthen protections for minors.” 

HB 5727, introduced by Hoadley, would remove the requirement for minors to get work permits before being employed in the state of Michigan. Employers would instead verify a minor’s age by keeping a copy of an age certificate from the student’s school or through a photocopy of a passport or visa. The legislation promotes accountability by ensuring that schools notify an employer if a student is not in good standing because of attendance problems, poor grades, or disciplinary issues.  

The bill also limits how many hours minors under the age of 16 can work, including no more than 8 hours per day when school is out, a maximum of 18 work hours per week while school is in session, no more than 40 combined hours of school and work in a week, and no more than 6 workdays per week. 

“Many employers rely on young workers to fill entry-level positions, and many students rely on these jobs to save for college and gain valuable experience,” Hoadley said. “Rather than requiring an additional permit process, we should rely on straightforward age verification and continued oversight through schools when academic performance or attendance becomes a concern.” 

The bill now heads to the Senate for further consideration.