Labor: youth employment; youth employment standards act; modify penalties for certain violations. Amends secs. 3, 20, 21 & 22 of 1978 PA 90 (MCL 409.103 et seq.).

SB 965 modifies the Youth Employment Standards Act in Michigan to update penalties for employers who violate rules regarding the hiring of minors. The bill clarifies that the minimum employment age is 14, while allowing specific exceptions for 11- and 13-year-olds working as referees, caddies, or in farming under strict conditions. It also increases the maximum administrative fine for violations from $500 to $5,000 and raises criminal penalties for repeat offenders and those who cause serious harm to a minor on the job.