Ohio - Ohio lawmakers have passed a bill that would allow 14 and 15-year-olds to work later on school nights, but federal labor rules still prevent that from happening.

Senate Bill 50 would extend the latest allowable work time for minors under 16 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. during the school year, as long as a student has signed permission from a parent or guardian.

Students also must have a work permit issued by their school.

The proposal does not allow teens to work more hours, meaning the current limits of three hours per school day and 18 hours per school week would remain the same.

Opponents argue the change could blur the intent of child labor protections and negatively impact school performance.

"It’s going to create a lot of confusion for businesses when they’re trying to comply with the state law," said Hannah Halbert, executive director of Policy Matters Ohio, "which is in direct contravention to the federal law." 

Halbert said later work hours could shift the focus away from schoolwork, sleep and wellness.

"I think this is a real erosion of child labor protections," Halbert said.

Supporters said the bill gives students more opportunities to make money and gain work experience.

Rep. Tex Fischer, R-59, said parents and schools would still control when a student can work based on whether the student is performing well academically.

"The school has the ability to revoke that employment certificate if the kid’s grades are suffering," Fischer said, "So what we’re really talking about here is, you know, a sophomore in high school that wants to pick up an extra pick up an extra hour or two during the school year, bagging groceries."

Fischer said the bill is about personal choice, not weakening protections.

"Regardless of whether this law or federal law changes, it’s really just about empowering people to make their own economic choices," he said.

Although the bill has passed both chambers of the Legislature and now heads to Gov. Mike DeWine's desk, the change would not go into effect unless Congress updates federal law. 

Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, minors under 16 cannot work past 7 p.m. on school nights.