Thank you for the clarification, Clare! A lot to digest and implement going forward, but I am so very glad to finally understand the law. On Wed, Apr 30, 2025 at 2:59 PM Membiela, Clare (MDE) < MembielaC@michigan.gov> wrote:
Hello:
If the minor volunteering is under the direction, supervision of the library (ie the library is supervising, determining what they do, and certifying the hours), yes.
All minors aged 14-17 have required work permits for volunteering or working for some time. It doesn’t matter if the requirement is for school, a religious, or a civic group like scouts – if the library supervises and manages and directs the minor(s), and/ or verifies the hours as a volunteer for the library, the student must have a work permit, and the library must comply with the hours and noticing provisions of the act below.
There are some exceptions, but the exceptions are very situational and rarely apply to a library. A scout group volunteering at the library as a group (say, raking leaves) and under the supervision, direction and control of a scout leader (not a library staff member) may be exempted – but a library will want to consult their attorney because noncompliance can create problems for the library- and penalties.
For more information on obtaining work permits for minors (applicable UNTIL October 2026)
https://www.michigan.gov/leo/bureaus-agencies/ber/wage-and-hour/work-permits
For information on the amended hours and requirements currently in effect as of 4/2/2025
https://www.legislature.mi.gov/Laws/MCL?objectName=mcl-Act-90-of-1978
An infosheet on this topic is pending.
Thanks!
Clare
Clare D. Membiela, MLS, J.D.
Library Law Consultant
Library of Michigan
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).*
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*From:* Vicki Shurly <vshurly@tadl.org> *Sent:* Wednesday, April 30, 2025 1:41 PM *To:* Membiela, Clare (MDE) <MembielaC@michigan.gov> *Cc:* Don Priest <dpriest@southgate.lib.mi.us>; michlib-l < michlib-l@mcls.org>; Jack Buck <jbuck@richlandlibrary.org> *Subject:* Re: [Michlib-l] TAB Volunteers and YESA
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I am confused. Does the law then require those 14-18 to obtain a work permit to volunteer at a public library? Even when the juvenile is volunteering to fulfill hours required by a school, National Honor Society or scout group?
On Wed, Apr 30, 2025 at 1:29 PM Membiela, Clare (MDE) via Michlib-l < michlib-l@mcls.org> wrote:
Hello Don:
You are exactly correct. It has long been the legal understanding that “volunteer services” are included within YESA. MCL 409.104(3)(b) https://www.legislature.mi.gov/Laws/MCL?objectName=mcl-409-104 . Most of the legal underpinnings of this understanding would appear to be in the language of MCL 409.102(c) https://www.legislature.mi.gov/Laws/MCL?objectName=mcl-409-102, which is the definition you mention. The definition uses the words “permit,”. etc., but there is also no indication that “employ” as defined is tied to “payment” or “wages” in this law. Additionally, the exception in MCL 409.104(3)(b) specifies a specific type of entity- which implies that all OTHER volunteering or “work without pay” would NOT be exempt from the requirements.
It also should be noted that minors exempted from the work permit requirement for volunteering for 501(c)(3) non-profit corporations (such as charities, etc. – not libraries) WOULD be covered still by the other provisions of YESA.
The Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO), the agency tasked with oversight of YESA reinforces the inclusion of volunteers:
https://www.michigan.gov/leo/bureaus-agencies/ber/wage-and-hour/work-permits
I hope this is helpful!
Sincerely,
Clare
Clare D. Membiela, MLS, J.D.
Library Law Consultant
Library of Michigan
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).*
*[image: A picture containing text, room, gear, gambling house AI-generated content may be incorrect.]*
Acknowledge the incredible strength of students’ multilingual abilities. Seek the Michigan Seal of Biliteracy <https://www.michigan.gov/mde/services/flexible-learning/michigan-seal-of-biliteracy> for graduating seniors.
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Get personalized voter information on early voting and other topics at Michigan.gov/Vote <https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/>.
*From:* Don Priest <dpriest@southgate.lib.mi.us> *Sent:* Wednesday, April 30, 2025 9:33 AM *To:* Membiela, Clare (MDE) <MembielaC@michigan.gov> *Cc:* Jack Buck <jbuck@richlandlibrary.org>; michlib-l <michlib-l@mcls.org
*Subject:* Re: [Michlib-l] TAB Volunteers and YESA
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Clare,
I'm a bit confused by this, because I'm not seeing any mention of volunteers in the wording of the act. Are volunteers included because of the wording in the definitions, *(c) "Employ" means engage, permit, or allow to work *?
Donald Priest Director Southgate Veterans Memorial Library 14680 Dix-Toledo Rd. Southgate MI 48195 734-258-3002
------------------------------
*From: *"Membiela, Clare (MDE) via Michlib-l" <michlib-l@mcls.org> *To: *"Jack Buck" <jbuck@richlandlibrary.org>, "michlib-l" < michlib-l@mcls.org> *Sent: *Wednesday, April 30, 2025 8:59:23 AM *Subject: *Re: [Michlib-l] TAB Volunteers and YESA
Hello Jack:
I hope you are well!
You are essentially correct- Public libraries may not permit a minor under 14 to volunteer or work, period.
Teen Advisory boards would have to be reconfigured if they included minors aged 13 or under.
The 501(c)(3) exemption is correct, but the requirements are nuanced, so be wary of having say, your Friends’ group “hire” or engage a minor for volunteer work so that minor can work in the library – this would likely be a problem UNLESS the volunteer was working solely for the Friends doing Friends activities and under the direction and supervision of a Friend.
Libraries are almost never going to meet any of the exceptions for volunteers under 14.
Minors aged 13 and under can participate in library programs that include activities that appear “volunteer” (ie.: putting together packages for unhoused patrons, etc.), but the library should not offer to certify “service hours” or “volunteer hours” for these patrons., as that would be essentially making that minor a “volunteer,” and acknowledging that the library is violating the act.
The amended act can be found https://www.legislature.mi.gov/Laws/MCL?objectName=mcl-Act-90-of-1978 <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.legislature.mi.gov_Laws_MCL-3FobjectName-3Dmcl-2DAct-2D90-2Dof-2D1978&d=DwMFAg&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=-VnIYX9Tid_FwaJ-4wkEtsGiayf038erslqThRZiqB4&m=LdT-XvUDWOuwwsywPiY1tREti3OKO7z5PNboIEi80KfdKx7r_2cnWC9dbwbrlCJs&s=v0WLVeFnKUWsv5Op97NyaWEEHK3rQC5J7zrwOkl6Mx8&e=>
The work permit changed go into effect October 2, 2026. HOWEVER, the hours changes are already in effect as of April2, 2025.
The previous language of the act also made it a violation of the act to hire or engage minors under 14 (unless the organization met one of the exemptions).
If a library has a question, scenario, or policy they are uneasy about, it is best to consult the library’s attorney.
I hope this is helpful!
Sincerely,
Clare
Clare D. Membiela, MLS, J.D.
Library Law Consultant
Library of Michigan
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).*
*[image: A picture containing text, room, gear, gambling house AI-generated content may be incorrect.]*
Acknowledge the incredible strength of students’ multilingual abilities. Seek the Michigan Seal of Biliteracy <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.michigan.gov_mde_services_flexible-2Dlearning_michigan-2Dseal-2Dof-2Dbiliteracy&d=DwMFAg&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=-VnIYX9Tid_FwaJ-4wkEtsGiayf038erslqThRZiqB4&m=LdT-XvUDWOuwwsywPiY1tREti3OKO7z5PNboIEi80KfdKx7r_2cnWC9dbwbrlCJs&s=-09Zv-SO5X6UG4Bh-OrXhwg5abW4Iwmgoopgwnds8ao&e=> for graduating seniors.
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*From:* Michlib-l <michlib-l-bounces@mcls.org> *On Behalf Of *Jack Buck via Michlib-l *Sent:* Wednesday, April 30, 2025 7:30 AM *To:* michlib-l@mcls.org *Subject:* [Michlib-l] TAB Volunteers and YESA
*CAUTION: This is an External email. Please send suspicious emails to abuse@michigan.gov <abuse@michigan.gov>*
Hello -
I’m looking for clarification on the recent changes to Michigan’s Youth Employment Standards Act (YESA) and how they affect public library volunteer programs, particularly Teen Advisory Boards.
From what I understand:
- Minors aged 14 to 17 are required to obtain a work permit, including unpaid volunteer roles, unless the organization is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. - Public libraries are considered government entities, not 501(c)(3) organizations, so the exemption does not apply to us. - Minors under age 14 are generally not allowed to volunteer, unless they meet one of the limited exceptions defined in state law (such as youth sports or farm work).
If my interpretation is accurate, libraries will have to restructure TAB if they include 11-13 year olds.
I’d appreciate hearing how your library is handling this.
Thank you,
Jack Buck
Richland Community Library
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-- Victoria M. Shurly, Director Peninsula Community Library 2893 Island View Road Traverse City, MI 49686 231.223.7700 vshurly@tadl.org *"It is good to have an end to journey, but it is the journey that matters in the end." Ursula Le Guin*
