Editor’s note: The Portager publishes letters to the editor from the community. The opinions expressed are published not because they necessarily reflect those of the publication but because we feel they contribute meaningfully to the local discourse on matters of public interest.
I am writing to express serious concern over Ohio Senate Bill 30, which proposes extending the legal working hours for 14- and 15-year-olds during the school year — from the current 7 p.m. cutoff to 9 p.m., with parental and school consent. While framed as a way to increase employment flexibility, this bill directly threatens student health and school attendance — two areas already in crisis.
Sleep deprivation among adolescents is not just a nuisance; it’s a public health issue. Teens need 8–10 hours of sleep a night, yet most get far less. Research links lack of sleep in teenagers to increased risk of depression, poor concentration, and chronic health problems. Allowing young teens to work late into the evening will only deepen this deficit — especially when schools still start early and expect students to function at full capacity.
The situation is made worse by Ohio’s already troubling attendance rates. During the 2022–2023 school year, over 615,000 Ohio students — more than a quarter of the student population—were chronically absent. While there’s been slight improvement in 2023–2024, attendance remains one of our state’s biggest educational challenges. In fact, state leaders have pledged to cut chronic absenteeism by 50% over the next five years, recognizing the direct correlation between consistent attendance and academic success (Ohio Department of Education and Workforce).
Here’s the irony: At the same time this legislature is advancing a bill to extend teen work hours into the night, it is also considering a separate bill that would increase the number of hours a student must be in school to qualify for graduation. How can we claim to value education while making it harder for students to be healthy, rested, and present at school?
To make matters worse, because SB 30 requires school consent for extended work hours, it may pressure schools to comply to avoid losing enrollment. In Ohio’s open enrollment and vouchers environment, families may “shop around” for schools willing to sign off — even if doing so isn’t in the student’s best interest.
I urge lawmakers to hit pause on SB 30 and seriously consider the long-term effects this policy could have on Ohio’s students. We should focus on removing barriers to education and health — not creating new ones.
— Karen Taylor, Streetsboro
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