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SB 427 West Virginia Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Permitting certain teenagers to work without obtaining work permit

SB 427 removes the requirement for teenagers aged 14-17 to obtain a work permit when working in specific sectors like agriculture, restaurants, or retail stores. It directly affects minor employees in these industries by eliminating a prior administrative step for employers. The bill amends existing labor law to exempt these young workers from permit mandates, streamlining employment for eligible teens in covered job types. This change took effect when the bill was signed into law on April 24, 2025.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2025
Senate Passage
Apr 2025
House of Delegates Passage
Apr 2025
Signed into Law
Aug 2025
Introduced Feb 13, 2025 Signed Aug 8, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

sb427 sub h go am _1 adopted.htm → Enrolled Committee Substitute · 4 edits · Apr 24, 2025
MODERATE
This bill repeals the old work permit system for 14- and 15-year-olds and replaces it with a new age certificate system. The change matters because it simplifies the process for employers to hire minors by removing the need for a specific work permit while still requiring proof of age and parental consent.
Scope change
The bill applies to all employers in West Virginia hiring children aged 14 or 15, shifting the focus from a 'work permit' to an 'age certificate' issued by the State Commissioner of Labor.
REQUIREMENT

Eliminated the requirement for 14- and 15-year-olds to obtain a traditional work permit as a condition of employment.

Added a new requirement for employers to obtain an age certificate issued by the State Commissioner of Labor before employing 14- or 15-year-olds.

Changed the documentation process to require proof of age (birth certificate) and parental consent on the new age certificate instead of a work permit application.

ENFORCEMENT

Added specific penalties for individuals who illegally issue age certificates or provide false information regarding a child's age or job description.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 28, 2025 · House of Delegates Apr 11, 2025

How they voted

32–0
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 33
Feb 28, 2025
D Democratic2
2 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican31
30 Yea 1
96% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
38
Key actions
9
Committee
5
Amendments
1
Apr 24, 2025
Signed into law
Approved by Governor 4/24/2025
upper
Apr 12, 2025
Signed into law
Approved by Governor 4/24/2025 - House Journal
lower
Apr 12, 2025
Signed into law
Approved by Governor 4/24/2025 - Senate Journal
upper
Apr 12, 2025
Upper · Passed
Senate concurred in House amendments and passed bill (Roll No. 575)
upper
Apr 11, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed House (Roll No. 504)
lower
Apr 10, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee amendment adopted (Voice vote)
lower
Apr 10, 2025
Introduced
Amendment reported by the Clerk
lower
Apr 9, 2025
Lower · Passed
With amendment, do pass
lower
Mar 3, 2025
Committee
To House Government Organization
lower
Mar 3, 2025
Committee
To Government Organization
lower
Mar 3, 2025
Introduced
Introduced in House
lower
Feb 28, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate (Roll No. 46)
upper
Feb 25, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee substitute reported
upper
Feb 13, 2025
Introduced
Introduced in Senate
upper
0 primary · 1 co-sponsor

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.