Albany, New York – Child labor violations are on the rise across the United States, prompting numerous states to consider updating their child labor laws. While some states are seeking to strengthen protections for young workers, many others are attempting to weaken existing laws. The push for changes in child labor regulations comes as businesses, especially those in the service industry, have faced labor shortages since the start of the pandemic. This has led to an increase in hiring teenagers, whose wages are typically lower than those of adults.
Experts in labor argue that the surge in child labor violations over the past decade can be attributed to a tight labor market, prompting employers to hire more teens, as well as the arrival of migrant children from Latin America. Data from the Labor Department shows that in 2023, the rate of teenagers aged 16 to 19 working or seeking work reached its highest level since 2009.
The current patchwork of state laws regulating child labor has prompted a major effort to change them, with at least 16 states seeking to weaken their child labor laws and 13 states aiming to strengthen them. Among these states, there are a total of 43 bill proposals. Additionally, since 2022, 14 states have passed or enacted new child labor laws.
Federal law prohibits minors from working in hazardous jobs such as manufacturing, roofing, meatpacking, and demolition. This includes restrictions such as not allowing 14 and 15-year-olds to work past 7 p.m. on school nights or 9 p.m. on weekends. Most states have laws that are stricter than federal regulations, but there is a current effort by Republican lawmakers, supported by various associations including restaurant associations and home builders associations, to loosen these restrictions.
One lobbying group, the Foundation for Government Accountability based in Florida, has been active in drafting or lobbying for bills that seek to strip child labor protections in at least six states. For example, a new law in Indiana repeals work-hour restrictions for 16- and 17-year-olds, allowing them to work past 10 p.m. on school days. In Florida, Governor Ron DeSantis signed a law that removes all hours restrictions for 16- and 17-year-olds, even allowing them to work overnight shifts.
Despite the efforts to weaken child labor laws, some states are pushing to strengthen protections for young workers. Virginia recently approved a bill that would increase employer penalties for child labor violations. Other states such as Michigan, Pennsylvania, Iowa, Nebraska, and Colorado are also aiming to raise penalties for child labor violations, citing the current fines as insufficient deterrents for employers.
Labor advocates argue that stricter penalties alone are not enough to address the issue, as many states have limited resources for enforcing child labor laws. Therefore, Colorado legislators have introduced a comprehensive package to crack down on employers that violate child labor laws. The proposed legislation includes higher fines for violations, the creation of a fund dedicated to enforcement, and the public availability of information on companies that break child labor laws.
The debate over child labor laws involves competing perspectives. Supporters of relaxing restrictions argue that it provides more opportunities for young workers, improves work ethic, and aligns with federal standards. On the other hand, those advocating for stricter regulations emphasize the need to protect young workers from exploitation and dangerous working conditions.
As the discussion continues, it remains critical to strike a balance between providing opportunities for young workers and ensuring their safety and well-being. The outcome of these debates will determine the level of protection afforded to young workers across the United States.