In a survey released this morning by Scioto Analysis, the majority of economists surveyed thought the proposed extension of hours eligible to be worked by 14 and 15 year olds would not meaningfully help these teenagers develop human capital. Senate Bill 30 would allow these teenagers to work until 9:00 p.m. during the school year, currently they can only work as late as 7:00 p.m. most nights.
Kevin Egan of the University of Toledo writes “the overall limit for hours worked for this group is the same, it just allows later hours to 9 pm. I expect very small to no impact on learning and human capital development, as the only change is allowing the hours of work to be a little later.”
Additionally, the majority of economists surveyed think this proposal might decrease safety for young workers. Jonathan Andreas of Bluffton University, one economist who agrees wrote “... not a big change, but it would increase the number of days that kids are commuting home after dark and the number of hours working after dark and more accidents happen after dark.”
The economists who disagreed pointed to the fact that some teenagers might substitute other risky behavior for later working hours. “14 and 15 year olds are probably safer with employers than other ways they would spend their time,” writes David Brasington of the University of Cincinnati.
The Ohio Economic Experts Panel is a panel of over 40 Ohio Economists from over 30 Ohio higher educational institutions conducted by Scioto Analysis. The goal of the Ohio Economic Experts Panel is to promote better policy outcomes by providing policymakers, policy influencers, and the public with the informed opinions of Ohio’s leading economists.