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Bill

SB 10

Employment prohibition exceptions; apprenticeship program for children 16 years of age or older.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Joe McNamara and 2 co-sponsors

Virginia bill creates employment exceptions for youth 16+ to participate in apprenticeships, potentially expanding vocational training while modifying existing child labor protections.

Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0099)
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Bill Summary · SB 10

Legislative bill overview

SB 10 creates exceptions to Virginia's child labor employment prohibitions to allow apprenticeships for youth ages 16 and older. The bill has advanced through Senate committees with a substitute version and is currently in the engrossment stage, moving toward floor consideration.

Why is this important

Child labor laws establish baseline protections for minors in the workforce. This bill directly modifies those protections by carving out a pathway for younger teenagers to enter formal apprenticeships, which could expand vocational training opportunities but also potentially alter the scope of worker protections for this age group.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope of apprenticeship definition: Unclear what specific occupations, industries, or work conditions would qualify under the apprenticeship exception, and whether safeguards around hazardous work remain intact
  • Worker protections trade-offs: Whether exempting apprentices from existing child labor rules (hours, conditions, safety requirements) creates gaps compared to standard employment protections
  • Equity and accessibility: Questions about whether apprenticeship pathways will be genuinely available to all youth or concentrated in certain communities, and whether this affects different demographic groups differently

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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