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Proposed bill would allow 18-year-olds to work at bars in Washington

The state allowed young adults under the age of 21 to work the jobs during the pandemic and now hopes to bring it back permanently.

OLYMPIA, Wash. — In most states working in a bar or tavern is restricted to those 21 years old and older —no matter what the job.

But the state of Washington is considering joining a handful of other states that allow those 18 years old and older to be able to work away from the bar, doing "back of the house" jobs like cook or dishwasher.

State Representative Kevin Waters, a Republican from Stevenson, is proposing it because there is a need for workers.

“We heard from bars and taverns especially up here in Olympia that it’s a major issue and they're missing staff literally now, and it's a workforce issue,” said Waters.

The state allowed young adults under the age of 21 to work the jobs during the pandemic to ease the hiring challenges bar businesses were facing.
That ended last September, but the challenges did not.

So WA House Bill 1730 would bring it back and make it permanent, if lawmakers in Olympia agree to it.

The change would bring bars and taverns into line with what restaurants do, even those with full services bars, like the Main Event Sports Grill on Vancouver’s Main Street.

Co-owner and bartender Steve Hilken said the proposed law makes sense.

“It just means that it'll open it up. And honestly, what it's really going to do is, it's going to strengthen the restaurant community,” said Hilken.

Hilken said he has plenty of friends in the "bar only" business and he's sure they can follow the same rules he does.

“You have to do your due diligence and have to do all that stuff to make sure everyone's safe and to keep them away from it, but if you have everything in place and you continue to follow those guidelines, then you're going to do it and you're going to help them learn the industry, and it's going to help everyone out,” said Hilken.

Rep. Waters' family is in the brew pub business, so he grew up with it.

“And this can be a trade,” he said. “I mean, I worked in restaurants and bars where people were veterans, and they were good at it and they started when they were 16 years old.”

And now those not of the drinking age may soon be able to get a start in "21 and over" establishments.

House Bill 1730 passed out of committee and is now making its way through the Washington legislature, and while not all are in favor, Waters believes it has good support and will ultimately be successful.

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