What's happening
The bill allows minors over age 12 to work as referees for youth sports under specific safety and supervision conditions.
Why it matters
Expands early work opportunities. By allowing minors as young as 12 to serve as referees, the bill creates new pathways for youth to gain work experience, responsibility, and confidence at an earlier age than previously permitted under New York labor law.
Builds youth leadership and community skills. Serving as referees can help minors develop decision-making, communication, and conflict resolution abilities, all while contributing positively to their local sports communities.
Imposes important safety and supervision requirements. The bill only permits this work if the minor is trained, tested, and supervised according to established safety standards, and if a parent/guardian is present or has given written consent, ensuring a balance between opportunity and child welfare.
Limits work to protect education and well-being. By restricting the work to 20 hours per week and only when school is not in session, the bill aims to prevent interference with the minor’s academic responsibilities and personal development.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Let Kids Referee Youth Sports
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Committed to rules
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.438
- Referred to labor
- Returned to senate
- Died in assembly
- Referred to labor
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 61–1
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
Show 2 earlier actions
- 1st report cal.519
- Referred to labor
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Let Kids Referee Youth Sports
In Assembly Committee · Labor · Sponsor Michael DenDekker
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3375
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 23, 2017
Introduced by Sen. GRIFFO -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Labor
AN ACT to amend the labor law, in relation to permitting a minor over twelve years of age to work as a referee for athletic games or competitions under certain circumstances
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 2 of section 130 of the labor law is amended by adding a new paragraph i to read as follows:
i. A minor over twelve years of age as a referee at an athletic game, competition or tournament, involving competitors who are twelve years of age or younger, hosted by an athletic association or organization that has trained and tested such minor in accordance with established safety standards, for a duration of twenty hours or less per week and during times when school is not in session and the minor is accompanied by the parent or guardian or has presented the written consent of the parent or guardian.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD05640-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the labor law, in relation to permitting a minor over twelve years of age to work as a referee for athletic games or competitions under certain circumstances
Purpose
An act to amend Subdivision 2 of § 130 of the labor law to allow a minor over twelve years of age, after completing proper training, to act as a referee at athletic games, competitions and tournaments involving competitors who are eleven years of age or younger.
Summary of provisions
This bill would amend § 130 the Labor Law, which prohibits employment of minors under the age of fourteen years, to include an additional exception. Currently, there are exceptions for minors under the age of fourteen that permit them to be employed under certain circumstances. This bill would add the following exception: A minor over twelve years of age who acts as a referee at an athletic game, competition or tournament, involving competitors who are twelve years of age or younger, hosted by an athletic association or organization that has trained and tested such minor in accordance with established safety standards, for a duration of twenty hours or less per week and during times when school is not in session with the written consent of a parent or guardian.
Justification
It is currently common practice for children aged twelve and over to serve as a referee for younger children's sporting events. This provides the host organization with an official for their games at less than half the cost of hiring an adult referee, and provides the child referee with a safe and enjoyable way to make money. Recently, concerns have arisen that this common practice is in conflict with current labor law. This legislation will add referee to the list of exceptions to Labor Law § 130, allowing children aged twelve and over to officiate games for children aged eleven and under for no more than twenty hours per week and only when school is not in session with the written consent of a parent or guardian.
Legislative history
2015-16 - S. 3519/A. 4127 - Labor Committee.
2014 - S. 6857/A. 3650a - Labor Committee.
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
Immediate.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.