as introduced - 93rd Legislature (2023 - 2024) Posted on 04/13/2023 08:21am
A bill for an act
relating to youth employment; modifying requirements for 16- and 17-year-olds
working in or about a construction or building project; requiring rulemaking.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
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This act shall be known as the "Paid Youth Trades Employment Opportunity Act."
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(a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, 16- and 17-year-olds may lawfully work
in or about a construction or building project.
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(b) The commissioner of labor and industry must amend Minnesota Rules, part 5200.0910,
to remove the prohibition of employment of 16- and 17-year-olds in or about a construction
or building project under Minnesota Rules, part 5200.0910, item F. The commissioner must
also amend Minnesota Rules, part 5200.0920, to clarify that employment of individuals
under age 16 years in or about construction sites remains prohibited. The commissioner
may use the good cause exemption under Minnesota Statutes, section 14.388, subdivision
1, to amend Minnesota Rules, parts 5200.0910 and 5200.0920.
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(c) Nothing in this section shall be construed to affect any existing law or rule regarding
work by 16- and 17-year-olds other than the general prohibition under Minnesota Rules,
part 5200.0910, item F. These existing rules include but are not limited to the remainder of
Minnesota Rules, part 5200.0910, and the Code of Federal Regulations, title 29, sections
570.50 to 570.68.
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(d) A 16- or 17-year-old must:
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(1) at a minimum, satisfactorily complete OSHA 10 training before beginning
employment in or about a construction or building project; and
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(2) wear personal protective equipment, including but not limited to a hard hat, safety
glasses, hearing protection, and work boots, as necessary at all times when working in or
about a construction or building project.
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(e) A 16- or 17-year-old working in or about a construction or building project is
prohibited from conducting the following work in or about a construction or building project:
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(1) scaffold erection or dismantling;
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(2) trench work, where a confined space permit is required;
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(3) roof work;
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(4) structural steel erection or dismantling;
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(5) heavy demolition;
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(6) work on scaffolding above 20 feet high;
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(7) heavy equipment operation; and
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(8) work where a personal fall protection safety harness is required by OSHA standards.
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(f) An employer that employs a 16- or 17-year-old working in or about a construction
or building project must:
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(1) have an experience modification rating of 1.00 or under;
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(2) certify that a supervisor of a 16- or 17-year-old working in or about a construction
or building project has completed OSHA 30 training; and
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(3) provide a maximum worker ratio of one 16- or 17-year-old employee to ten crew
employees.
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