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Empowering Teenagers Through the Power of Work

Teenagers deserve the freedom of finding a job, earning part-time income, and learning valuable skills. But outdated government permission slips are standing in the way—and they aren’t required under federal labor law.

Over the years, 16 states—from Oregon to Florida—have decided government “youth work permits” are unnecessary hurdles to teenage employment. After all, why should state bureaucrats and school administrators have the power to keep students from working a part-time job?

States across the nation agree: This decision should be left solely to parents and their teenagers, while keeping state and federal safety protections in place. Other states should follow suit.

DOES A TEENAGER UNDER 18 NEED TO GET GOVERNMENT PERMISSION TO WORK IN YOUR STATE?

Let Our Youth Thrive: Remove Unnecessary Work Permit Requirements

  • Restore decision-making to parents
  • Streamline the hiring process
  • Remove administrative barriers for young Americans
  • Help solve the labor shortage
  • Modernize work

Click here to read the full one-pager.

Our Youth Workforce Experts
Alli Fick

Research Director

Haley Holik

Senior Fellow

At FGA, we don’t just talk about changing policy—we make it happen.

By partnering with FGA through a gift, you can create more policy change that returns America to a country where entrepreneurship thrives, personal responsibility is rewarded, and paychecks replace welfare checks.