Advocacy News – Oct. 1, 2026
What employers need to know: Michigan is launching a new online system for youth employment permits that will change how employers hire workers under age 18.
- Beginning Oct. 2, 2026, the state will transition to the Youth Employment Permit Portal (YEPP), a centralized platform managed by the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO).
- The new system replaces the current process in which local school districts and nonpublic schools issue youth employment permits.
Why it matters: For employers that hire minors, permits can be completed online at any time, eliminating the need to coordinate with school offices, particularly during summer months or school breaks.
- Of note: A valid work permit issued by a Michigan school before YEPP launches will continue to be honored. Employers should keep existing school-issued permits on file, register their business in YEPP if they plan to hire minors and continue complying with all applicable youth-employment requirements. A new YEPP permit will only be required if the minor changes employers or begins working at a different worksite.
Key changes: Under the new system, employers must:
- Register with LEO before hiring minors.
- Complete youth employment permit requirements online through the statewide portal.
- Notify LEO when a minor’s employment ends.
- Benefit from a more standardized and accessible permitting process.
Go deeper: LEO recently hosted a webinar outlining the new system, transition timeline and employer responsibilities. Additional YEPP resources are also available.