Assembly Approves Downey, Houghtaling & Speight Bill to Waive In-Person Requirement for Minors to Obtain Working Papers During COVID-19 Pandemic

          (TRENTON) – Taking action to make it easier for minors to safely obtain working papers and seek employment during the COVID-19 public health emergency, the full Assembly on Thursday voted 72-0 to advance legislation to waive the current requirement that minors must appear in-person before an issuing officer to have their application for working papers approved.

Under the measure (A-4804), sponsored by Assembly Democrats Joann Downey, Eric Houghtaling (both D-Monmouth) and Shanique Speight (D-Essex), the requirement could be fulfilled using audio-visual technology.

This legislation is one in a series of bills based upon recommendations from the coronavirus recovery Economic Advisory Council, established by Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, whose mission was to provide input and ideas to the State Legislature on how to help New Jersey’s economy recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The bill’s sponsors released the following joint statement:

“Though at times it may seem the pandemic has put our lives on pause, the world has kept turning, and young people are continuing to come of legal age to work. Some may want to get a job to learn responsibility and have a little extra spending money. Others may need to help support their families in these challenging times. This bill will allow minors to obtain working papers remotely, ensuring the process is safe, simple and secure.”