A new Maine law aiming to get 14- and 15-year-olds to fill hospitality jobs in a tight market went into effect on Sunday.

The bill, sponsored by Sen. Brian Langley, R-Ellsworth, was partially aimed at loosening Maine’s tight hospitality job market in a tourist season where the state is seeing record low unemployment levels.

It allows 14- and 15-year olds to apply to the Maine Department of Labor to work in jobs formerly limited to 16-year-olds in bowling alleys, movie theaters and amusement parks. It also lets them work in certain areas in hotels and bakeries that aren’t deemed dangerous.

For example, they can work in a bakery as a cashier or cake decorator, but only if baking goes on in a separate room. In hotels, they can mow lawns or work in lobbies, but they can’t clean rooms. It became law on Sunday without Gov. Paul LePage’s signature. 

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