What happened?

On March 21, 2025, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin signed House Bill 1667 and Senate Bill 1228 into law, amending Virginia Code § 40.1-100 to expand employment opportunities for youth in licensed barbershops and cosmetology salons.

Overview:

The new law allows children aged 16 and older to work in these establishments under three conditions:

• They are registered apprentices in a formal apprenticeship program,
• They are employed under a Board of Education-approved work-training program, or
• They hold a cosmetology or barber license issued by the Virginia Board for Barbers and Cosmetology.

This update builds on a 2023 amendment that permitted apprenticeships and now broadens access to include structured training and licensed professionals.

Employers should review their youth employment policies to ensure compliance with these expanded exceptions.

Source References

• Virginia SB 1228 – Barbers and Cosmetology, Board for; employment prohibition, children 16 years of age or older
• Virginia HB 1667 – Companion Bill
• Virginia Press Release – Work-Study Programs for Children Aged Sixteen Years or Older

This communication is intended solely for the purpose of conveying information. The present post might incorporate hyperlinks directing readers to websites managed by third-party entities. The inclusion of any links within this communication is meant to serve as points of reference and could encompass opinion articles from various law firms, articles from HR associations, official websites, news releases, and documents of government agencies, and other relevant third-party sources. Vensure has no authority over these external websites and bears no responsibility for their content. Furthermore, Vensure does not endorse the materials present on these websites. The contents of this communication should not be interpreted as legal advice or as a legal standpoint concerning specific facts or scenarios. Nor should it be deemed an exhaustive compilation of facts potentially pertinent to federal, state, or local laws. It is strongly advised that employers solicit legal guidance from an employment attorney when undertaking actions in response to any legal updates provided. This is due to the possibility of future alterations occurring in federal, state, and local laws, regulations, as well as the directives and guidelines issued by governing agencies. These changes may transpire at any given time, potentially rendering certain portions of the content within this update void or inaccurate.