AUGUSTA — A legislative committee has rejected a bill that sought to allow lower minimum wages for youths and remove limits on their school-week work hours.

The Committee on Labor, Commerce, Research and Economic Development on Friday voted to kill the bill.

It would have established a wage for trainees or secondary students under 20 years of age at $5.25 per hour for their first 180 days of employment, and eliminate the maximum number of hours a minor 16 years of age or older can work during school days. Maine’s current minimum wage is $7.50 per hour.

Opponents are still worried about a separate bill that won the committee majority’s support today. The original version also sought to repeal limits on the hours youths can work.


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