Hello: Starting today, October 2, 2026, employers hiring or engaging minors under the age of 18 must register in the Youth Employment Permit Portal (YEPP) and utilize this portal to obtain work permits for minors being hired or engaged as volunteers in accordance with the Youth Employment Standards Act (YESA). This applies to minors who are hired or engaged as volunteers on or after today, October 2, 2026. If a library has questions regarding how this portal and new requirements may impact their hiring or volunteer programs, they should consult their library's attorney. A tutorial of the YEPP system can be found https://www.michigan.gov/leo/bureaus-agencies/ber/wage-and-hour/youth-employ... [LEO Banner] LEO's Latest New Youth Employment Permit Portal Helps Protect Michigan’s Young Workers [Michigan Youth Employment Portal Showcase]<https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.michigan.gov%2Fleo%2Fbureaus-agencies%2Fber%2Fwage-and-hour%2Fyouth-employment-standards-act-yesa%2Fyepp%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/010001a0fda4b168-44962a56-e1fc-48c7-a5a0-52dbf8eac8aa-000000/fG2-7RZr1WcbBZjuanxrZa_1pVsX3MOpNupkRL8RF8w=452> LEO is encouraging employers to register for the new Youth Employment Permit Portal (YEPP),<https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.michigan.gov%2Fleo%2Fbureaus-agencies%2Fber%2Fwage-and-hour%2Fyouth-employment-standards-act-yesa%2Fyepp%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/2/010001a0fda4b168-44962a56-e1fc-48c7-a5a0-52dbf8eac8aa-000000/_qhihyaLi1O9DdjqGJPYkvPa_EvCNLRp5EeSW2QCPJA=452> an online system that will modernize Michigan’s youth employment permit process and transition responsibility for issuing permits from schools to the state. "Michigan is committed to modernizing government services while maintaining strong protections for young workers," said Susan Corbin, director of LEO. "The new Youth Employment Permit Portal allows us to provide greater consistency in how youth employment requirements are administered and monitored across the state, setting them up for success not just in their first job, but throughout their careers." Beginning Oct. 2, 2026, employers and minors will use YEPP to complete the youth employment permit process through one centralized statewide system. The new portal will create greater consistency in how youth employment requirements are administered, reduce administrative responsibilities for schools and give LEO a more direct role in overseeing youth employment requirements. The policy change is part of a broader effort to modernize Michigan’s approach to youth employment and ensure young workers are employed safely and lawfully. State Rep. Phil Skaggs sponsored House Bill 5594 to update the Youth Employment Standards Act, which was signed into law as Public Act 196 of 2024. Moving the permitting process to the state gives LEO greater visibility into youth employment, creates a consistent statewide process for employers and young workers, and allows schools to focus on their educational mission. Learn more and get started on the YEPP website<https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.michigan.gov%2Fleo%2Fbureaus-agencies%2Fber%2Fwage-and-hour%2Fyouth-employment-standards-act-yesa%2Fyepp%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/3/010001a0fda4b168-44962a56-e1fc-48c7-a5a0-52dbf8eac8aa-000000/GYj7FepuTuYNXMFgGioLVp80FKBy-OAyYY2YpiSg6es=452>. Read the full YEPP press release<https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.michigan.gov%2Fleo%2Fnews%2F2026%2F10%2F01%2Fnew-youth-employment-permit-portal-helps-protect-michigan-young-workers%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/010001a0fda4b168-44962a56-e1fc-48c7-a5a0-52dbf8eac8aa-000000/ixN1ICdoULTgQ-WparLQSgJL6BndKIAsKepceIjcVn8=452>. Clare D. Membiela, MLS, J.D. Library Law Consultant Library of Michigan MembielaC@michigan.gov<mailto:MembielaC@michigan.gov> 517-335-8132 The research and resources above are for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing legal advice. You should contact your attorney to obtain advice with respect to any particular issue or problem. “the State may not, consistently with the spirit of the First Amendment, contract the spectrum of available knowledge.” Griswold v. Connecticut, 381 U.S. 479, 482 (1965). [Michigan's Top 10 Strategic Education Plan] Michigan’s Top 10 Strategic Education Plan<https://www.michigan.gov/mde/resources/michigan-top-10-strategic-education-plan> provides focused direction to drive educational achievement in support of all learners. [Michigan.gov/Vote logo] Get personalized voter information on early voting and other topics at Michigan.gov/Vote<https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/>.
