S.F. No. 3240 - Paid Youth Trades Employment Opportunity Act

• Permits 16- and 17-year-olds to lawfully work in or about construction or building projects, removing the current prohibition under Minnesota Rules, part 5200.0910, item F.

• Requires the Commissioner of Labor and Industry to amend Minnesota Rules parts 5200.0910 and 5200.0920 to clarify that employment of individuals under age 16 remains prohibited at construction sites.

• Mandates that 16- and 17-year-olds complete OSHA 10 training before employment and wear personal protective equipment including hard hats, safety glasses, hearing protection, and work boots at all times.

• Prohibits young workers from performing eight categories of high-risk work: scaffold erection/dismantling, trench work requiring confined space permits, roof work, structural steel work, heavy demolition, scaffolding work above 20 feet, heavy equipment operation, and work requiring fall protection harnesses.

• Requires employers to maintain a worker experience modification rating of 1.00 or under, ensure supervisors have completed OSHA 30 training, and maintain a maximum ratio of one young worker per ten crew employees.