At the fitness center where he works in Hiawatha, Kansas, Kacer Knudson does whatever is needed to help keep the gym running smoothly. The 17-year-old high school junior sets up new memberships, checks that the exercise equipment is working, and even mops the floor. But his favorite part of the job is interacting with the facility’s members.
“I like being out in front of people trying to make them happy, just talking to them and explaining what the machines do,” Kacer says.
During the school year, Kacer works about 10 hours a week, juggling his job with school and cheerleading practice. But he hopes to pick up more shifts this summer to earn extra spending money and to help his family save for his college tuition.
Across the country, lawmakers are backing new legislation that would allow teens like Kacer to do just that—by loosening some child labor protections at the state level.