SF1229

Purpose

• This bill aims to change rules to allow 16- and 17-year-olds to work in or around construction or building projects, with safety requirements, and to authorize state rulemaking to implement these changes.

Key Provisions

• 16- and 17-year-olds may lawfully work in or around construction or building projects, subject to safety requirements.
• Before starting work, each 16- or 17-year-old must satisfactorily complete OSHA 10 training.
• The commissioner of labor and industry must amend Minnesota Rules part 5200.0910 to remove the prohibition on employing 16- and 17-year-olds in construction, and must amend Minnesota Rules part 5200.0920 to confirm that employment of individuals under age 16 remains prohibited.
• The commissioner may use the good cause exemption under Minnesota Statutes section 14.388 subdivision 1 to make these rule changes.
• The bill clarifies that these rule changes do not alter other laws or rules about work by 16- and 17-year-olds beyond the general prohibition currently in Minnesota Rules part 5200.0910 item F. Existing rules, including the remainder of Minnesota Rules part 5200.0910 and CFR Title 29 sections 570.50 to 570.68, still apply where relevant.

Changes to Law & Rulemaking

• Main change: remove the explicit prohibition on 16- and 17-year-olds working around construction under the referenced rules.
• Safety rule updates: establish OSHA 10 training as a prerequisite for youth employment in construction.
• Rulemaking process: authorizes the commissioner to modify the specified rules (5200.0910 and 5200.0920) using the good cause exemption.

Safety Training & Compliance

• OSHA 10 training is mandatory before employment in construction activities for 16- and 17-year-olds.
• The changes rely on updating state rules (5200.0910 and 5200.0920) and remain consistent with applicable federal standards (29 CFR 570.50–570.68).

Additional Details

• The measure emphasizes that the rule changes are limited to the health and safety framework already in place and do not modify other ongoing laws about youth work beyond the stated allowance for 16- and 17-year-olds in construction.

Relevant Terms

• 16-year-olds; 17-year-olds; construction; building projects; OSHA 10 training; Minnesota Rules part 5200.0910; Minnesota Rules part 5200.0920; item F; prohibition under 5200.0910; under age 16 prohibition; good cause exemption; Minnesota Statutes section 14.388 subdivision 1; Code of Federal Regulations title 29 sections 570.50 to 570.68; rulemaking; commissioner of labor and industry.