Overview
- Senate Bill 50, passed by lawmakers in November, sought to extend the cutoff from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on nights before school with parent or guardian permission.
- DeWine’s veto message said the proposal offered no compelling reason to depart from current limits and would interfere with education.
- The federal Fair Labor Standards Act bars 14- and 15-year-olds from working past 7 p.m. during the school year, a restriction that remains in effect for covered employers.
- Ohio already permits 14- and 15-year-olds to work until 9 p.m. during summer and breaks of five days or longer, and 16- and 17-year-olds may work until 9 p.m. on school nights.
- Business groups supported the bill, while opponents argued it would expand lower-paid youth labor and weaken child labor protections.