(A) The Director of the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation, in cooperation with the State Firefighters Association, may establish a junior firefighters program, consistent with all applicable state and federal child labor laws, for the purpose of encouraging, educating, and training qualified youth to enter the fire service as a career. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, qualified youth under eighteen years of age shall be allowed to participate in training activities offered by local fire departments, the Office of the State Fire Marshall, and the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation. As used in this subsection, the term "qualified youth" means an uncompensated fire department or rescue squad member who is between fourteen and eighteen years of age.

(B) Participants in the junior firefighters program are not considered employees of the State and are not considered eligible for unemployment compensation upon termination from the program; however, participants are entitled to all other work benefits, including workers’ compensation or its equivalent.