BISMARCK – The North Dakota State Senate passed a bill Friday that would allow 14- and 15-year-olds to work past 9 p.m. at sports events in the summer months.
North Dakotans must be 14 years old to be employed, and currently youth 14 and 15 years old can work 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. from Labor Day to May 31 and 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. between June 1 and Labor Day. Senate Bill 2132 would allow youth 14 and 15 years old to work later than those hours if they are working as an assistant at a professional sporting event and receive parental consent.
The bill lists some of the duties that the youth may be employed to do which include pregame and postgame set up and tear down, providing food, drinks, and towels for players, and running errands.
Sen. Michelle Axtman, R-Dis. 7, Bismarck, said the bill would make North Dakota’s child labor laws align with the federal child labor laws.
The Senate originally passed the bill at the beginning of session, and the House added an emergency clause so youth can begin working these hours this year. The Senate passed the bill again 46-0.
