Bill bolstering career and technical education, loosening child labor laws passes committee
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – A bill expanding career and technical education, as well as loosening child labor laws for 16 and 17-year-olds, passed its first committee assignment on Thursday.
The legislation, HB 917, by Rep. John Snyder, R-Stuart, introduced the House version of the bill, while Sen. Corey Simon, R-Tallahassee, sponsored the Senate version.
Snyder’s bill, which passed the House Choice and Innovation Subcommittee 16-2, requires school districts provide at least two career-themed courses in every high school and middle school in the district.
It also requires the schools to have employers from various industries meet with teenagers to connect and discuss potential career opportunities.
The bill also allows for 16 and 17-year-olds to be employed on any residential or commercial construction site and work on a ladder at or below six feet, so long as the minor has earned an Occupational Health and Safety Administration 10 certification.
“Long before I got here, members were realizing the need to address the talent shortage in making sure that students in all education settings had the opportunities to be made aware of certain career and technical trades and skills,” Snyder said.
He explained that although the state has made “monumental” strides in helping address the issue, it is now time to “evaluate what has worked and what has not worked” throughout the state.
Rep. Angie Nixon, D-Jacksonville, expressed concerns with the minor-related portion of the bill, highlighting how it could lead to unsafe working conditions for 16 and 17-year-olds.
Snyder responded, explaining the supervisor requirements needed in order to employ the minors for the work.
“The individual who is supervising the work must be at least 21 years of age or older, that individual must have their OSHA 10 certification and have a minimum of two years of work experience to be considered a supervisor on that job site,” he said.
He added that the bill also states that minors are not allowed to work on any scaffolding, super structure or ladder above six feet.
Rep. Douglas Bankson, R-Apopka, thanked Snyder for pushing through the legislation in committee.
“To get to a highway, we can’t just simply jump from a side road onto there. We need an on-ramp,” he said. “And this is that perfect opportunity for our young people to find skills within themselves.”
“Thank you for working on this, getting it right and I am a strong ‘up’ on this bill,” he said.
If passed, the bill would take effect July 1.
