ASSEMBLY LABOR COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 5547

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  JUNE 16, 2025

      The Assembly Labor Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Assembly Bill No. 5547.

      As amended, this bill amends child labor laws to provide that a minor who is 14 or 15 years of age may be employed as a professional athlete by a national sports association, league, or team following 11:30 p.m. of any day in the event that employment is a continuation of a workday which begins before 11:30 p.m. but ends later due to return travel or due to a match or game time delay, with a special written permit from the minor's parents or legal guardian. 

      Under current law, a minor who is 14 or 15 years of age may be employed as a professional athlete by a national sports association, league or team until 11:30 p.m. of any day.

      As amended, bill permits the Department of Labor and Workforce Development to establish a process for applying and receiving a waiver from the evening time limits due to exigent or extraordinary circumstances.  In determining whether the application constitutes exigent or extraordinary circumstances, the department is required to consider:

      (1) the number of days of work that would exceed the evening time limit;

      (2) the nature of the work;

      (3) the time of year of the work;

      (4) how the work will impact the minor’s well-being, including but not limited to, academic and physical well-being; and

      (5) any other factor deemed relevant as determined by the Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:

      The committee amended the bill to permit the Department of Labor and Workforce Development to establish a process for applying and receiving a waiver from the evening time limits due to exigent or extraordinary circumstances.  In determining whether the application constitutes exigent or extraordinary circumstances, the department is required to consider:

      (1) the number of days of work that would exceed the evening time limit;

      (2) the nature of the work;

      (3) the time of year of the work;

      (4) how the work will impact the minor’s well-being, including but not limited to, academic and physical well-being; and

      (5) any other factor deemed relevant as determined by the commissioner.