Thursday, May 19, 2011

Maine poised to let teens work longer hours

The nation's most rural state appears ready to let teenagers work longer hours during school times, partly at the behest of service- and tourism-related industries. Last night the Maine House of Representatives voted 78-69, almost entrely on party lines, to let minors work 24 hours a week during the school term, up from 20, and to let them work until 10:15 p.m. on school nights, up from 10 p.m.

"Bill supporters argued that the current law — the most restrictive in New England — placed unnecessary financial burdens on teens and their families and was unrealistic given the balancing act that many young people already manage," reports Kevin Miller of the Bangor Daily News. "Democrats countered that allowing teens to work up to six hours a day during the school week — up from the current limit of four hours — would barely leave time for them to complete homework and get adequate sleep." (Read more)

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