Governor Ron DeSantis has signed House Bill 49 into law, allowing 16- and 17-year-olds in Florida to work additional hours with parental or guardian consent. The legislation was praised by NFIB State Executive Bill Herrle.
“House Bill 49 simply puts control back in the hands of parents and guardians if their 16- or 17-year-old has decided they want to work more than 30 hours in a week," said Herrle. He emphasized that early employment is crucial for young people to acquire skills necessary for future success.
“For many young people, this first job is the key to gaining the skills they need to be successful for the rest of their lives. Many of these young people go on to own and operate businesses of their own using the very skills they learned early on in these jobs," he stated.
Herrle also noted that the bill ensures that teens will not work at the expense of their education or under unsafe conditions. “House Bill 49 simply gives parents and guardians the right to decide what’s right for their teens and helps Florida’s small businesses find workers,” he added.
NFIB, which advocates for small and independent businesses across the country, supports this legislative change as it aligns with its mission.