Recently the Legislature approved HF 397, which streamlines the process for teens to get a permit to work in Iowa.
The current process of getting a teen work permit is cumbersome, requiring parents and students to do a lot of running around. A teen must go to their school or a local Iowa Workforce Office to get the permit form. Next, they must have their employer sign off and their parent sign off. Then the teen must return to their school or Workforce Office to have them sign off. Once all the signatures are obtained, the form must be sent to the state Labor Commissioner at the Iowa Department of Workforce Development.
Under HF 397, the process is simplified by eliminating several steps. The teen may get the form needed to acquire a work permit from the web. Once their employer and parent sign off, the form is sent directly to the Labor Commissioner. This is a common sense way to eliminate red tape, while still protecting our kids from hazardous working conditions and long hours.
HF 397 has been sent to the Governor for his signature. If he signs the bill into law, it will take effect on June 1, just in time for the summer job season.
To learn more about current teen employment laws in Iowa, visit www.iowaworkforce.org/labor/iowateens.pdf.