Analysis

Topic:Employment as Hockey Referee
SPONSOR:Rep. Tesanovich, et al
HOUSE COMMITTEE:Committee on Labor and Occupational Safety

POSITION:The department has no position on the bill.

PROBLEM/BACKGROUND:The minimum age of employment for hockey referees is 14 years of age.

DESCRIPTION OF THE BILL:The bill amends the Youth Employment Standards Act to permit hockey referees' employment at 10 years of age.

SUMMARY OF ARGUMENTS:

PRO: Responds to a reported need for hockey referees to officiate amateur sports events Provides workers under 14 years employment opportunity. Provides employers a source of workers not covered by the minimum wage law.

CON:The affect of employment on the health and academic performance of workers 10-12 years old is unknown. Although 11 year olds may be employed as golf caddies, their employment typically occurs during the summer and does not conflict with school attendance. The apparent risk to health and safety (errant sticks and pucks, collisions with players) is greater than that for golf caddies.The minimum age of employment for hockey referees is changed, but other statutory requirements are unchanged. Ten year olds (elementary school students) can be required to work five consecutive hours without a meal or rest period, work up to 10 hours a day, and 48 hours a week. Minimum wage is not required for workers under 16 years of age. Employment of 10 year olds may conflict with federal child labor laws that establish 14 as the minimum age for general types of employment.

SUPPORTER/PROPONENTS: USA Hockey (governing body for amateur hockey referees) supports the bill.

FISCAL INFORMATION: The amendment increases coverage of the act. Specific employment numbers are not available. The department does not project additional staff will be needed to administer the amendment.

ECONOMIC IMPACT: Minimal economic impact is anticipated.