House Votes To Scrap Work Permits For 14, 15-Year-Olds

West Virginia teens may soon qualify for employment without a work permit, pending final approval from the state legislature and governor.

Current state law allows West Virginia youth to begin working at age 14. But 14 and 15-year-olds must first obtain a permit from their school superintendent. These permits outline the nature of employment, plus verify a teen’s age, school enrollment status and parental consent to work.

Senate Bill 427 would eliminate the permitting process for West Virginia teens seeking jobs. Under the bill, 14 and 15-year-olds would instead only need a certificate confirming their age from the state commissioner of labor or another “authorized” official.

The West Virginia House of Delegates passed the bill Thursday without discussion by a vote of 91 to 9. Just one Democrat — Del. Hollis Lewis, D-Kanawha — voted in favor of the bill. Just one Republican — Del. Elliott Pritt, R-Fayette — voted against it.

The bill now crosses the rotunda for a final review from the West Virginia Senate, where it passed with no votes in opposition on Feb. 28. If they grant the bill approval, it will be sent to the governor’s desk, where it could be signed into law.

The House passed a nearly identical bill during last year’s legislative session, but it never passed the Senate. Proponents of the bill then said it removed an overly onerous step toward employment for teens, but opponents worried it could expose minors to risks in the workplace.