HR 549

                                               PRINTER'S NO.    3508
             THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
      HOUSE RESOLUTION
         No. 549
                                         Session of
                                           2026
INTRODUCED BY GLEIM, STAATS, STAMBAUGH, GAYDOS AND ANDERSON,
   JUNE 2, 2026
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS AND
   OPERATIONS, JUNE 3, 2026
                          A RESOLUTION
1 Urging the Congress of the United States and the United States
2    Secretary of Labor to review the child labor provisions of
3    the Fair Labor Standards Act and the occupational
4    restrictions issued under the act and take action to increase
5    employment and training opportunities for youth workers.
6    WHEREAS, Employers in Pennsylvania have consistently
7 complained about the inability to find qualified workers and the
8 "skills gap"; and
9    WHEREAS, It is imperative that the next generation of workers
10 be prepared to enter the workforce to fill available family-
11 sustaining job openings; and
12    WHEREAS, Entry into the workforce, on-the-job training and
13 pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs are some of the
14 most effective ways for younger workers to learn soft and hard
15 job skills; and
16    WHEREAS, Many workers involved in skilled trades and
17 occupations, such as carpentry, electrical work, other
18 construction trades and manufacturing occupations, are
19 approaching retirement and younger workers are not entering the
1 same occupations quickly enough to replace retiring workers; and
2WHEREAS, The occupational standards set by the United States
3 Secretary of Labor restrict youth participation and training in
4 many of the occupations and trades most in need of new workers;
5 and
6WHEREAS, Advances in industrial technology and best practices
7 in workplace safety have made tangible improvements in the
8 safety of all workers; and
9WHEREAS, Many youths regularly participate in athletics and
10 other extracurricular activities that exceed the hours
11 limitations which apply to youths participating in the
12 workforce; and
13WHEREAS, Occupational hours restrictions can make employers
14 hesitant to provide job opportunities to youth workers,
15 particularly youths 14 or 15 years of age, who may only work
16 three hours per school day and cannot work past 7:00 p.m.; and
17WHEREAS, Federal and State child labor standards place
18 restrictions on the hours that may be worked by minors of
19 different ages and the occupations in which minors can be
20 employed; and
21WHEREAS, There would be little impact to opportunities for
22 youth workers from child labor reforms enacted by the General
23 Assembly because the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act
24 would still apply to the vast majority of employers, even if
25 Pennsylvania law provides more flexibility to youth workers; and
26WHEREAS, The economy of Pennsylvania and the United States
27 will benefit from workers with better training and more job
28 experience; therefore be it
29RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the
30 Commonwealth of Pennsylvania urge the Congress of the United
20260HR0549PN3508  - 2 -
1 States and the United States Secretary of Labor to conduct a
2 review of the child labor provisions of the Fair Labor Standards
3 Act and the occupational restrictions issued under the act and
4 take action to increase employment and training opportunities
5 for youth workers; and be it further
6    RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the
7 Commonwealth of Pennsylvania urge the Congress of the United
8 States and the United States Secretary of Labor to consider the
9 current and future workforce needs in Pennsylvania and the
10 United States and take action to increase employment,
11 apprenticeship and training opportunities for youth workers in a
12 manner that does not compromise their health or safety; and be
13 it further
14    RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to
15 the presiding officers of each house of Congress, each member of
16 Congress from Pennsylvania and the United States Secretary of
17 Labor.
20260HR0549PN3508  - 3 -