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Scott bill to extend youth firefighting hours approved by committee

Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus    June 10, 2026 | 2:36 PM

HARRISBURG, June 10 – State Rep. Greg Scott, D-Montgomery, today announced that his legislation that would extend the working hours for minors serving as volunteer emergency service members was approved by the Pa. House Labor & Industry Committee.

Under the state’s current Child Labor Act, minors can engage in training or firefighting activities until 10 p.m. the night before a school day. Yet on weekends, holidays, and over summer academic breaks, that curfew is only 9 p.m.

Scott’s bill would extend the training and firefighting curfew for minors to 10 p.m. any night of the year.

“This is a small change to our Child Labor Act that will make it easier for minors to get the training they need to excel at emergency response and better serve their communities,” said Scott. “Our volunteer emergency service organizations have historically low membership right now, and it impacts their response times. Adequately training minors who volunteer and show interest in supporting their neighborhoods in this way is vital to the future of these organizations.”

Under state law, youth may join a volunteer fire company as young as age 14, with written consent from a parent or guardian.