(ALBANY, NEW YORK) - Governor Kathy Hochul has unveiled New York’s first-ever Youth Workers Bill of Rights, first announced in her 2024 State of the State address as part of an effort to bolster protections for New York’s youngest Workers.

Governor Hochul tasked the New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) with developing and distributing the Youth Workers Bill of Rights in partnership with the New York State Education Department and creating a vital resource that details essential rights and protections for every youth Worker.

The Youth Workers Bill of Rights builds on the Governor’s commitment to addressing last year’s troubling rise in child labor violations and protecting young people in the workplace.

“Every Worker in our State deserves a fair, safe work environment, especially our young people,” Governor Hochul said. “My administration is taking action to ensure that our youngest Workers feel empowered, protected, and well-informed, and by fulfilling my State of the State commitment to creating our first-ever Youth Workers Bill of Rights, we are continuing to make strides toward making New York the safest and most Worker-friendly State in the Nation.”

Written in clear and accessible language, the Youth Workers Bill of Rights seeks to educate first time Workers as they prepare to enter the labor market by explaining the rights all New York Workers enjoy, as well as the protections that are specific to Workers under the age of 18.

The Bill of Rights will be distributed to every young Worker upon receiving their working papers.  It will be available in various formats, including a print pocket guide available in schools and NYSDOL Career Centers for easy reference a downloadable poster for educators and administrative staff to hang in schools, and online for broad accessibility.

Key protections outlined include the right to: The Minimum Wage; A safe and discrimination-free workplace; and Filing a complaint without fear of retaliation.

The Youth Workers Bill of Rights is available online at NYSDOL’s new Youth Worker Information Hub.

This hub, which seeks to be an educational resource for young people as they prepare to enter the workforce, includes important information regarding protections for young people, such as permitted working hours during the school day, how to be sure they are being paid the correct Minimum Wage, and a full list of prohibited occupations for children under the age of 18.

For More On This Labor News Story, Go To: Governor Hochul Unveils New York’s First-Ever Youth Workers Bill of Rights to Help Protect and Empower Young Employees | Governor Kathy Hochul (ny.gov)