LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Kentucky lawmakers are looking at child labor regulations. House Bill 255 would restrict the number of hours a minor could work during a school week. HB 255 has cleared the house floor and now it heads to the Senate for consideration. 

Student Andrew Lasley‘s day is far from over once he leaves school.

“About to go home. Get my sort of a midday break before I got to go to work,” said Lasley, who’s a senior at Atherton High School in Louisville. 

He is one of thousands of Kentucky high schoolers with a part-time job.

“As long as my work is slow enough to where I can focus on my homework and everything. Make sure my grades aren’t slipping,” said Lasley. 

If HB 255 passes, some restrictions on work hours for 16- and 17-year-olds would be lifted.

Currently, teenagers like Lasley can work up to six hours on a school day as long as they’re off by 10:30 p.m.. 

“It’s a very comfortable spot just because I’m able to manage my school and work. I have my time in between,” said Lasley. 

The Kentucky Department of Education shared a statement with Spectrum News 1 about the bill that says, in part, “Given statewide issues with chronic absenteeism, continued efforts to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic learning loss and our efforts to ensure every learner graduates with the academic competencies they will need in adulthood.

“We are hopeful any legislation will reflect that work opportunities for students should be secondary to the importance of school attendance and meaningful engagement in learning.” 

Similar to federal laws, HB 255 does not specify the amount of hours 16- and 17-year-olds can work during the school week.

“Right now it’s about 4-8:30 every night and then Saturday’s they can range from 7-8 hours,” said Lasley. 

Lasley said he is comfortable with the amount he works and that it gives him time to make money and focus on his future.  

House Bill 255 would teens decide how they plan to balance life outside of the school day.