Labor: youth employment; youth employment standards act; restore former provisions and modify penalties. Amends title & secs. 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 20, 21 & 22 of 1978 PA 90 (MCL 409.102 et seq.) & repeals secs. 4a, 4b, 4c & 4d of 1978 PA 90 (MCL 409.104a et seq.). TIE BAR WITH: SB 0497'25

SB 496 amends Michigan's Youth Employment Standards Act to restore previous work permit requirements and update related rules. It shifts the responsibility for issuing work permits from school officials to the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity after an 18-month transition period. The bill clarifies exceptions allowing minors as young as 11 to work in specific roles like sports refereeing, golf caddying, or farm work during school breaks, while maintaining safety standards for all youth employment. These changes directly affect minors under 18 seeking jobs, employers hiring them, schools issuing permits, and the Department of Labor enforcing the law. The bill also modifies penalties for violations and removes certain outdated provisions.