CHAPTER 353
H.P. 648 - L.D. 901
An Act to Allow Minors under 16 Years of Age to Work at Certain Commercial Places of Amusement
Emergency preamble. Whereas, Acts of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
Whereas, low rates of unemployment in southern Maine have caused a severe shortage of labor in recent tourist seasons that has made it difficult for tourist businesses to recruit workers; and
Whereas, the summer tourist season will begin within 30 days of adjournment; and
Whereas, if this legislation does not become effective until the normal effective date, a number of seasonal tourist businesses will not be able to benefit this year from the change in law this legislation would enact; and
Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 26 MRSA §773, first ¶, as amended by PL 1993, c. 434, §2, is further amended to read:
A minor under 16 years of age may not be employed, permitted or suffered to work in, about or in connection with any manufacturing or mechanical establishment, hotel, rooming house, laundry, except those commonly known as automatic laundries, dry cleaning establishments, bakery, bowling alley, poolroom, commercial places of amusement, including traveling shows and circuses, or in any theater or moving picture house or in conjunction with an amusement, game or show that allows or conducts betting. The provisions of this section pertaining to theaters do not apply to minors under 16 years of age who are employed or in training as theatrical actors or film actors.
Sec. 2. 26 MRSA §773, as amended by PL 1993, c. 434, §2, is further amended by adding at the end a new paragraph to read:
Notwithstanding other provisions of this section, a minor under 16 years of age may be employed at a commercial place of amusement operating at a permanent location, except that minors under 16 years of age may not be employed at games of chance as defined in Title 17, chapter 14 or hazardous occupations as determined by the director.
Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this Act takes effect when approved.
Effective May 31, 1997.
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