LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Young people would be allowed to work for 22 hours a week regardless of the number of hours they're in school under a bill that won approval on Tuesday in the state House.
The legislation sets a 22-hour work week for 16-year-olds and 17-year-olds. Currently they are limited to 48 hours of work and school during the academic year.
Supporters of the bill said the change takes the burden off employers, particularly fast food chains and retailers that employ a large number of minors, to make sure their workers are staying under a combined 48 hours of work and school.
Michigan is one of three states that have a combined work and school cap, according to an analysis by the nonpartisan House Fiscal Agency.
Rob Gifford, director of the Michigan Restaurant Association, said the bill would eliminate confusion when workers employ students from different districts.
Opponents of the bill, including Gov. Jennifer Granholm, were concerned it would allow teenagers to work too many hours.
Students are in school an average of just over six hours per day, or 30 hours per week, the House Fiscal Agency said. Minors would be allowed a combination of 52 hours of work and school, four hours more of work than is the case now, the agency said.
The House voted 75-31 to send the bill to Granholm.
The Democratic governor doesn't support the bill because she thinks high school students should be spending more time on their school work than at a job, spokeswoman Liz Boyd said.
Rep. Doug Hart of Rockford was the only Republican to vote against the bill with 30 Democrats.
Sixty-two Republicans and 13 Democrats voted for the bill. Democrats who voted "yes" were: Frank Accavitti of Eastpointe, Dianne Byrum of Onondaga, Jennifer Elkins of Lake, Matt Gillard of Alpena, Mike Murphy of Lansing, Bill O'Neil of Allen Park, Jim Plakas of Garden City, Joe Rivet of Bay City, Michael Sak of Grand Rapids, Doug Spade of Adrian, Steve Tobocman of Detroit, Lisa Wojno of Warren and Dave Woodward of Royal Oak.
Three Democrats didn't vote: Rich Brown of Bessemer, Alma Stallworth and Ken Daniels, both of Detroit.
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The young workers bill is Senate Bill 320. | 
