PHOENIX — Today, the Industrial Commission of Arizona (ICA) announced the formation of a Youth Labor Task Force. This task force will carefully review Arizona’s youth labor laws and rules and evaluate current external factors that influence youth labor. The task force, comprised of leaders from the public sector, private sector, industry organizations, and youth labor law, will ultimately develop and deliver specific and actionable recommendations to the Commission to improve youth labor conditions.
“I served as Industrial Commission Chief Counsel forty years ago and, as such, represented the State Labor Department in child labor law cases, “said ICA Chairman Dennis Kavanaugh. “Those laws were antiquated back then. Penalties and sanctions are the same in 2026. It is time to review those laws and to update them in light of today’s Arizona workplaces and school operations. Our goal should be to strengthen protections for minors in Arizona workplaces and provide better guidance for Arizona parents, employers, and students.”
The formation of the task force follows multiple inquiries from the Industrial Commission members, who, after seeing cases with multiple youth labor law infractions, noticed that administration provisions appear outdated and less effective.
A youth labor task force is critical to modernize Arizona’s approach to youth employment and address outdated laws, enforcement mechanisms, and the realities of today’s workforce,” said ICA Labor Director Melissa Spurgeon. “The framework governing youth employment has remained largely unchanged for decades despite the evolving labor market. This is our opportunity to strengthen Arizona’s future workforce.”
Industry leaders understand the importance of protecting Arizona’s youth and are eagerly participating to ensure employers are educated and appropriately hiring youth. Many employment opportunities prepare youth with invaluable experience so they can eventually augment Arizona’s premier workforce.
