Topline
Two bills that could loosen child labor laws are moving through the Florida legislature, making it easier for teens to work longer hours in more dangerous jobs, as the state battles a labor shortage which some critics say is made worse by a crackdown on undocumented immigrant workers.
Key Facts
A Florida bill that was passed by a state senate committee Wednesday could allow 16- and 17-year-olds to work on construction projects in residential areas, as long as the projects are lower than six feet, a revision from the original text that sought to allow the teens to work on roofs.
A separate bill called Employment and Curfew of Minors is moving through the state house legislature committee, and intends to allow 16- and 17-year-olds to work up to 40 hours a week (30 is the current law), even when school is in session.
The latter bill, introduced by Republican state Rep. Linda Chaney, would force 16- and 17-year-olds to be given the same amount of breaks as adults — and employers are not required under Florida law to give employees 18 and older paid or unpaid breaks — a change to the current law which requires 30 minute breaks every four hours.
Minors who are 16- and 17-years-old who aren’t enrolled in school or are enrolled in homeschool or virtual programs would be allowed to work during school hours if Chaney’s bill becomes a law.
News Peg
Some experts are attributing the new labor laws to a crackdown on undocumented workers. “These issues are very closely intertwined,” Jennifer Sherer, director of the Economic Analysis and Research Network at the nonprofit Economic Policy Institute, told theTampa Bay Times. She added that Florida’s anti-immigrations laws are “jeopardizing the workforce.” Democratic state Rep. Ashley Gant told local digital media organization Local 10 these lenient child labor laws are “a blow back a shortage of workers due to the anti-immigration bill that was passed and signed into law last session.”
Chief Critics
Non-partisan organization Florida Policy Institute issued a letter signed by around 100 other advocacy groups urging lawmakers to reject the child labor bills introduced into the legislature. The group said “overworking teens and denying them breaks” is not the answer to labor shortages that have affected industries like construction and hospitality. Democratic state Rep. Anna Eskimi criticized the “hypocrisy” of Florida Republicans, saying they “don’t think teens can handle learning about sexuality and gender identity—but [are]
happy to stick them on the graveyard shift at a 7-Eleven, even if they have an exam the next day.” Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) accused Republicans Wednesday of preferring lenient child labor laws over allowing “immigrants into their community” to work during job shortages.
Big Number
955. That’s how many cases of child labor law violations the Department of Labor reported in 2023, a 14% increase from 2022. Over $8 million in penalties were issued—an 83% increase from the previous year—and 5,800 employed children were in violation, an 88% increase from 2019.
Key Background
At least 10 states have proposed bills to loosen child labor laws between 2021 and 2023, according to a report by the Economic Policy Institute. Youth labor force participation has been declining for 20 years as more minors are in favor of pursuing education, causing lawmakers to respond with more lenient labor legislation, according to the report. After Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds passed a law in May 2023 rolling back child labor restrictions, the Department of Labor sent Iowa lawmakers a letter stating some of the regulations—like allowing 16- and 17-year-olds to operate dangerous power-driven machines and work in demolition—were “inconsistent” with federal law. Wisconsin lawmakers proposed legislation in 2023 that would no longer require 14- and 15-year-olds to obtain a work permit or parental permission to work. New Hampshire passed a bill in 2022 extending the hours teenagers could work, and lowering the age minors could bus tables where alcohol was served to 14.
Further Reading
Iowa governor signs bill loosening child labor laws (AP News)
Wisconsin Republicans propose eliminating work permits for 14- and 15-year-olds (AP News)
Uncertain and afraid: Florida’s immigrants grapple with a disrupted reality under new law (AP News)
Sununu signs bill that makes changes to youth employment rules (SeaCoast Online)
