HB 221 Florida House · 2026 Regular Session

Minimum Wage Requirements

Summary

Minimum Wage Requirements; Exempts employer from state minimum wage requirements for specified employees; prohibits certain work-based learning opportunities from lasting longer than specified timeframe; authorizes employees to voluntarily opt out of state minimum wage requirements by signing waiver; prohibits employer from coercing employee into opting out of state minimum wage; provides requirements for waiver to be effective for minor employee; requires employers to pay employee at or above federal minimum wage; requires employee to be paid at or above state minimum wage at expiration of work-based learning opportunity.

Issues: ✗ Labor & Employment

Bill status died 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Oct 2025

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Oct 17, 2025 Last action Mar 13, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

H 221 Filed → H 221 c1 · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to clarify the definition of 'work-based learning opportunity' and update the duration limits for these programs. The maximum duration was changed from a fixed 9-month limit to a flexible standard of 252 days or two semesters, whichever is longer, with stricter limits (126 days or one semester) for employees under 18. Additionally, the requirement for parental consent for minors was strengthened to explicitly require the parent's signature in addition to the minor's.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded by adding a specific definition for 'work-based learning opportunity' to ensure clarity on what activities qualify for the minimum wage exemption.

REQUIREMENT

The maximum duration for work-based learning opportunities was changed from a fixed 9 months to 252 days or two semesters, whichever is longer.

For employees under 18, the maximum duration was reduced from 9 months to 126 days or one semester, whichever is longer.

DEFINITION

A new definition was added to specify that a 'work-based learning opportunity' must be developmentally appropriate, have learning objectives, explore multiple industry aspects, develop skills, assess performance, and comply with labor laws.

ELIGIBILITY

The requirement for parental consent for minors was updated to explicitly state that the parent must sign the waiver in addition to the minor employee.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Feb 24, 2026

Lower · Passed

Added to Commerce Committee agenda

lower

Feb 4, 2026

Lower · Passed

Now in Commerce Committee

lower

Feb 4, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported out of Careers & Workforce Subcommittee

lower

Feb 4, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable by Careers & Workforce Subcommittee

lower

Feb 2, 2026

Lower · Passed

Added to Careers & Workforce Subcommittee agenda

lower

Jan 29, 2026

Lower · Passed

Now in Careers & Workforce Subcommittee

lower

Jan 29, 2026

Committee

Referred to Commerce Committee

lower

Jan 29, 2026

Committee

Referred to Careers & Workforce Subcommittee

lower

Jan 28, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported out of Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee

lower

Jan 28, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable with CS by Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee

lower

Jan 26, 2026

Lower · Passed

Added to Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee agenda

lower

Oct 28, 2025

Lower · Passed

Now in Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee

lower

Oct 28, 2025

Committee

Referred to Commerce Committee

lower

Oct 28, 2025

Committee

Referred to Careers & Workforce Subcommittee

lower

Oct 28, 2025

Committee

Referred to Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee

lower

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors