SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) - Young players for four Western Hockey League teams in Washington will be exempted from certain labor laws that would have restricted their practice, conditioning, playing time and made them subject to the minimum wage.
Gov. Jay Inslee signed a bill Monday that covers all players between 16 and 20 years of age who play for a team in a regional, national or international league.
The Spokesman-Review reports the bill was designed specifically to answer a complaint with the Labor Department about WHL players in Spokane, Seattle, Everett and the Tri-Cities. The complaint contended the players are professional athletes who should be subject to all wage and hour laws.
Commissioner Ron Robinson says the WHL faces similar questions from labor departments in other states and provinces where it has teams.
Related:
