TEENS Act

This bill changes federal child labor rules for 14- to 16-year-olds during weeks when school is in session. It says the government cannot call their work “oppressive” just because of hours if they work no more than 24 hours that week and only between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.

Key points

• Who is affected: Teens ages 14–16 and their employers
• What changes: Allows up to 24 work hours in a school week; work must start no earlier than 7 a.m. and end by 9 p.m.
• When it applies: Only during weeks when school is in session

What this means day to day: Teens could take on more shifts during the school year, as long as they stay within the 24-hour weekly limit and the 7 a.m.–9 p.m. time window. Employers get clearer limits on scheduling younger workers during school weeks.