AUGUSTA (AP) — Maine’s Democratic-led House has rejected a bill to change the work permit process for minors and allow children less than 16 years old to work in bowling alleys or movie theatres.

Republican Gov. Paul LePage’s administration said teens often have to wait a long time to get work permits over the summer. The bill would allow minors younger than 16 years old to get permits directly through the Department of Labor when school isn’t in session, instead of making them to go through their school superintendent first.

But opponents said it’s an effort to weaken child labor laws and that cutting superintendents out of the process is a bad idea.

The House killed the bill Wednesday by a vote of 85-58. It now heads to the Senate.

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filed under:
children, department of labor, Maine, minors, work
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