TEENS Act

Bill Number

H.R. 3545

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Labor and Employment

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-05-21: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

Last Updated

2025-07-21T19:44:15Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The TEENS Act (H.R. 3545) aims to modify child labor rules under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) of 1938 to allow teenagers aged 14 to 16 to work more hours during school weeks without it being classified as "oppressive child labor." The goal is to provide greater flexibility for young workers to gain skills and earnings while attending school.

Key Provisions

• Hour Limits During School Weeks: Teens aged 14-16 can work up to 24 hours per week during any week when school is in session, provided the work does not exceed this limit.
• Work Schedule Restrictions: Employment must start no earlier than 7:00 a.m. and end no later than 9:00 p.m., based on the local time zone where the work occurs.
• Exemption from Oppressive Labor Classification: These conditions ensure that the specified hours do not count as oppressive child labor (a term in the FLSA referring to work that harms a minor's health, safety, or education), regardless of other federal rules on hour limits.
• Scope: Applies only to non-hazardous jobs already permitted for this age group under the FLSA.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Under current FLSA rules (Section 3(l)), minors aged 14-15 are limited to 3 hours per school day and 18 hours per school week for non-agricultural work, with work generally confined to after-school hours (typically 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.).
• This bill raises the weekly cap to 24 hours during school weeks and extends the end time to 9:00 p.m., while keeping the start time at 7:00 a.m.
• It creates a specific exemption tied to these hours, overriding potential classifications of excessive work as oppressive, but does not alter rules for hazardous occupations or non-school periods.

Potential Impacts

• On Citizens: Teens aged 14-16 may have more opportunities for part-time jobs, potentially increasing their earnings, work experience, and skills, but could face risks of fatigue or reduced study time if schedules conflict with school.
• On Employers: Businesses, especially in retail, food service, or other youth-friendly sectors, gain flexibility to hire and schedule young workers longer during school weeks, possibly easing labor shortages.
• On Government Agencies: The Department of Labor (which enforces the FLSA) would need to update guidance and enforcement to incorporate this exemption, potentially requiring minimal new resources for compliance checks.
• International Relations: No direct impacts, as this is a domestic labor law change.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Teen Workers (Ages 14-16): Primary beneficiaries or those most impacted, gaining expanded work options but needing to balance school.
• Parents and Guardians: Involved in approving work permits and schedules for minors under FLSA rules.
• Employers: Small businesses and industries reliant on youth labor, such as fast food or seasonal jobs.
• Educators and Schools: May see indirect effects on student attendance, homework, or performance if work hours increase.
• Department of Labor: Responsible for implementing and overseeing the changes.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Strengthens FLSA exemptions but maintains core protections against hazardous work; could lead to court challenges if seen as weakening child welfare standards, though it aligns with federal authority over interstate commerce (the basis for the FLSA).
• Constitutional: No apparent conflicts with the Constitution, as it involves regulating economic activity under Congress's commerce powers; avoids issues like equal protection by targeting a specific age group uniformly.
• Political: Sponsored by Republican representatives, it reflects debates on youth employment and economic opportunities versus child protection; may spark discussions on balancing work with education, especially in rural or low-income areas where teen jobs are common.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Johnson, Dusty [R-SD-At Large]

Cosponsors (2)

Rep. Nehls, Troy E. [R-TX-22], Rep. Mann, Tracey [R-KS-1]

Recent Actions

• 2025-05-21: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
• 2025-05-21: Introduced in House
• 2025-05-21: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Teenagers Earning Everyday Necessary Skills Act — issued 2025-05-21 — PDF (2 pages)