Employment

New provisions added prohibiting political subdivisions from establishing minimum wages different from state or federal standards and from awarding preferences based on vendor wages or employment benefits.

New requirements added to section 218.077 regarding wage and employment benefits requirements by political subdivisions with specific exceptions for employees of the political subdivision itself and contractors.

Effective date for the political subdivision provisions changed to September 30, 2025, with a grandfather clause for contracts entered before that date.

Bill title changed from 'employment of minors' to 'employment' to reflect the expanded scope including political subdivision provisions.

Page count increased from 4 to 6 pages due to the addition of new political subdivision provisions.

Restructured the statute to separate restrictions for minors 15 and under from those 16-17, with clearer time limits for work hours and meal breaks.

Added a new exemption for minors employed in domestic service in private homes, by their parents, or as pages in the Florida Legislature.

Removed the Department of Business and Professional Regulation's authority to grant waivers of employment restrictions for minors.

Added a new provision stating that a minor's presence at a workplace during working hours is prima facie evidence of employment.

Added exemptions for minors in home education programs, approved virtual instruction programs, and those qualifying for hardship waivers based on economic necessity or family emergency.

Expanded the list of minors exempt from certain restrictions to include all ages 14-17 who have graduated high school or received a high school equivalency diploma.

Set the effective date of the act to July 1, 2025.

Allows minors aged 14 to be employed during the summer vacation of the calendar year in which they turn 14, provided federal law permits it.

Increased weekly work hour limit for minors aged 15 and under from 8 hours to 15 hours during school sessions.

Adjusted evening work hour restrictions for minors aged 16 and 17 from 11 p.m. to 10 p.m. when school is scheduled the following day.

Removed the Department of Business and Professional Regulation's authority to grant waivers of employment restrictions for minors.

Reordered and renumbered subsections of the statute to clarify the hierarchy of employment restrictions by age group.