GOVERNOR MIKE DEWINE HAS VETOED SENATE BILL 50, WHICH WOULD HAVE ALLOWED 14- AND 15-YEAR-OLDS IN OHIO TO WORK UNTIL 9 P.M. ON SCHOOL NIGHTS. THE GOVERNOR’S DECISION AVOIDS A DIRECT CONFLICT WITH FEDERAL CHILD LABOR LAW, WHICH LIMITS WORK HOURS FOR YOUNGER TEENS TO 7 P.M.

EDUCATION AND LABOR ADVOCATES SAY THE VETO PROTECTS STUDENTS FROM HAVING TO CHOOSE BETWEEN SCHOOLWORK AND LATE-NIGHT JOB SHIFTS. OHIO EDUCATION ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT JEFF WENSING SAID STUDENTS NEED TIME FOR HOMEWORK, REST, AND “TO BE A KID.”

SUPPORTERS OF THE VETO ALSO NOTE THAT STATES WHICH HAVE TRIED TO EXTEND TEEN WORK HOURS, LIKE IOWA, HAVE SEEN BUSINESSES HIT WITH FEDERAL FINES FOR VIOLATING NATIONAL LABOR RULES.

POLICY MATTERS OHIO SAYS RESEARCH SHOWS LATE WORK HOURS CAN HURT GRADES AND LEAD TO HIGHER DROPOUT RISKS. THE GROUP SAYS OHIO SHOULD NOW LOOK AT ENDING THE SUB MINIMUM YOUTH WAGE OF $7.25 AN HOUR TO ENSURE TEENS WHO DO WORK ARE PAID FAIRLY.

ADVOCATES CALL THE GOVERNOR’S VETO AN IMPORTANT STEP IN PROTECTING STUDENTS, EMPLOYERS, AND OHIO’S FUTURE WORKFORCE.