H-0672.1
HOUSE BILL 1722
State of Washington
69th Legislature
2025 Regular Session
By Representatives Connors, Schmidt, Dufault, and Barnard
Read first time 01/29/25. Referred to Committee on Labor & Workplace Standards.
AN ACT Relating to state restrictions affecting 16 and 17 year old students participating in secondary career and technical education programs and other state-approved career pathways; adding a new section to chapter 18.73 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 43.43 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 49.12 RCW; and creating a new section.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that school districts across the state have spent significant resources to develop and offer skill center programs and career and technical education programs for high school students. Many of these programs are designed to allow students to begin working in the field during or upon completion of the program; however, some state agencies have enacted rules that place age restrictions on when a student can start a program, test for a license or certification, or work in a profession for which they have been issued a certification or license. These restrictions are not required by federal law, are inconsistent with many other states, and are barriers to 16 and 17 year old students being able to continue with more advanced coursework or otherwise work in a profession after completing training and certification or licensure.
Therefore, the legislature intends to direct specified state agencies to revise rules or policies that have been identified as barriers to 16 and 17 year old students being able to continue with more advanced coursework or otherwise work in a profession after completing training and certification or licensure.