Labor & Employment Law Daily Wrap Up, LOCAL LEGISLATION—OHIO—Governor DeWine vetoes bill that would allow 14- and 15-year-olds to work until 9 p.m. on school nights, (Dec 4, 2025)

By Brandi O. Brown, J.D.

“I believe it unwise to provide for 14- and 15-year-olds to work, on a school night, that late at night. I see no compelling reason to deviate from current law.”

Yesterday, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine vetoed a bill that would have allowed children as young as 14 years of age to work until 9 p.m. on school nights. Current law in the state already provides that 14- and 15-year-olds can work until 7 p.m. on school nights. Under the vetoed law, parents and legal guardians could approve 14- and 15-year-old children to work those two additional hours.

“Learning to work is an essential part of growing up,” Governor DeWine acknowledged. But he noted that he believes it is “unwise to provide for 14- and 15-year-olds to work, on a school night, that late at night. I see no compelling reason to deviate from current law.”

Current law. He adds:

“Under current law, 14- and 15-year-old children CAN work up to 9 pm during the summer months and during any school break longer than 5 days in duration (i.e., Christmas break and spring break). Further, under current law, those 16 and older can work up to 9 p.m. even on school nights. The only thing at issue here is whether, for 14- and 15-year-olds, DURING THE SCHOOL WEEK, the time when work must cease is 7 p.m. or 9 p.m. I believe the current law has served us well and has effectively balanced the importance of 14- and 15-year-old children learning to work, with the importance of them having time to study.”

The bill was supported primarily by Republican legislators in Ohio, with only a few exceptions.

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