TEENS Act

The TEENS Act would amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to expand the working hours allowed for teenagers aged 14 to 16 during weeks when schools are in session. Specifically, it would permit these youths to work up to 24 hours per week (an increase from current limits) and restrict work to between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. local time. The bill also includes a safeguard: the Secretary of Labor may not deem such employment “oppressive child labor” solely because of the number of hours worked if these conditions are met. The bill is titled the Teenagers Earning Everyday Necessary Skills Act (TEENS Act) and was introduced in the House on May 21, 2025, and referred to the Education and Workforce Committee. In effect, the TEENS Act relaxes certain child labor restrictions for younger teens while school is in session, allowing more hours within a broader daily window as long as the weekly cap and time-of-day constraints are observed. It frames this change as a means to help teens gain work experience and skills, while maintaining a standard that such employment not be treated as oppressive if the specified limits are followed.