Relates to work hours for lifeguards

BILL NUMBER:S3686

Title of bill

An act to amend the labor law, in relation to work hours for lifeguards

Purpose or general idea of bill

This legislation would allow certified lifeguards age 16-17 years old, to work for up to five hours on any day preceding a school day other than a Sunday or holiday with certain exceptions.

Summary of specific provisions

Amends paragraph a of subdivision 1 of section 143 of the labor law, as amended by chapter 546 of the laws of 1992.

Justification

Currently, minors sixteen and seventeen years of age may not be employed for more than four hours on any day preceding a school day other than on a Sunday or holiday while school is in session. Though this law aims to protect minors and encourage them to remain in school, certain situations warrant an exemption. Under this legislation, an employer who receives and maintains both the written consent of the minor's parent or guardian and a certificate provided by the school that states the student is in satisfactory academic standing, along with the student's certified lifeguard documentation, he or she may employ that student in a lifeguard position for up to five hours. For the most part, establishments such as hotels or private facilities who employ lifeguards, have shifts longer than four hours. Students, who have worked hard and demonstrated that they are responsible individuals by meeting the qualifications and testing to become a certified lifeguard, often miss out on these jobs because they are not allowed to work the full shift. In addition, many seniors in high school do not have a full day of school. In some cases seniors are out of school by noon and have an entire afternoon where they could be gainfully employed as opposed to hanging around the malls or at home. Giving responsible teenagers the opportunity to work these lifeguard shifts allows them to earn money for their future and, hopefully, for college. It also keeps them busy carrying out a responsible and meaningful job.

Prior legislative history

2013-2014: A.5224 - Passed Assembly/S.3597 - Died in Labor; 2011-2012: A 367-Passed Assembly/S.7162 - Referred to Labor; 2009-2010: S.494 Referred to Labor/A.2541 - Passed Assembly; 2007-2008: S.6245 - 3rd Reading Calendar/A.9228 - Passed Assembly;

Fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

Immediately.