Christie Order Allows Teenagers To Volunteer In Rebuilding Efforts
photo courtesy of Samaritanspurse.org
Teenagers are allowed to perform construction work as volunteers for non-profit organizations assisting New Jersey residents in rebuilding from the devastation of Superstorm Sandy thanks to an Executive Order signed by Governor Chris Christies yesterday.
Many of the young people assisting homeowners clean up and rebuild over the last 9 months have been doing so in violation of New Jersey’s Labor Law which prohibits anyone under the age of 18 from coming within 30 feet of construction work. As the law became more common knowledge, charities were turning young volunteers away.
Assemblywomen Mary Pat Angelini (R-Monmouth) and Marlene Caride (D-Bergen and Passaic) proposed legislation last month that would permit youthful good works, but the bill could take a year or more to pass and become effective.
Christie’s order, which can be viewed here, permits minors between 14 and 17 years of age to volunteer for non-profits engaged in housing construction through the end of this year.
Posted: July 10th, 2013 | Author: Art Gallagher | Filed under: #STTS, Chris Christie, Hurricane Sandy, Superstorm Sandy | Tags: Chris Christie, Executive Order, Labor Law, Marlene Caride, Mary Pat Angelini, Teenage Volunteers, Voluteerism | 6 Comments »