- Rep. Linda Chaney (R-Florida) spearheads initiatives to ease child labor restrictions, supported by Florida House Republicans.
- The proposed changes would allow younger minors to work longer and in riskier jobs, raising safety and welfare concerns.
- Central to the legislative push is the Foundation for Government Accountability (FGA) and its affiliate, the Opportunity Solutions Project; they argue against current labor restrictions.
- Their influence has spread to states like Iowa, Missouri, and Arkansas, impacting worker age verification laws.
- A 69% increase in illegally employed minors since 2018 suggests employers may prioritize younger workers over wage/benefit enhancements.
- FGA’s vice president emphasizes family freedom and less government interference, while the Biden administration sees the changes as harmful.
- The significant influence of Florida’s figures and think tanks is central to the national conversation on child labor laws.
Recent initiatives, notably from Rep. Linda Chaney (R-Florida) and supported by Florida House Republicans, have sought to ease child labor restrictions, allowing younger minors to work longer and in riskier jobs (Orlando Weekly). This move has raised significant concerns about the safety and welfare of young workers, casting doubts on some Republican stances on youth protection.
Central to this legislative push is a conservative Florida-based think tank, the Foundation for Government Accountability (FGA), and its affiliate, the Opportunity Solutions Project (The Week). These organizations argue that current labor laws hinder beneficial job experience for teenagers and constrain parental rights. Their influence has extended beyond Florida, making significant headway in states like Iowa, Missouri, and even Arkansas, where their input helped pass legislation that relaxed age verifications for workers under 16.
The Labor Department has flagged a 69% increase in illegally employed minors since 2018, indicating that some employers might be prioritizing younger workers over improving wages or benefits (Newsweek).
FGA’s vice president, Nick Stehle, positions the debate as a matter of family freedom, advocating for less governmental intrusion in parental decisions regarding teenage employment (PBS). However, the Biden administration has criticized these moves as detrimental to minors.
Given these developments, understanding the motivations behind these legislative changes, especially the outsized influence of Florida figures and think tanks, becomes crucial in the national dialogue on child labor laws.
Florida Proposes Child Labor Rollback to Allow Minors to Work Night Shifts
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Florida's Rep. Linda Chaney has introduced a bill, HB 49, aiming to ease child labor restrictions for 16 and 17-year-olds, allowing them to work longer hours and during school days. This move comes amidst national debates on child labor laws, given the ongoing worker shortage after the pandemic. Florida, having a larger portion of its labor force working now than pre-pandemic, sees this as a potential solution. The bill proposes treating 16 and 17-year-olds similarly to adults in employment contexts and will be discussed further in committee reviews. If approved, it will take effect on July 1, 2024.
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Florida Republican wants to loosen state's child labor laws with new bill
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Rep. Linda Chaney, a Florida House Republican, has proposed a bill (HB 49) for the 2024 legislative session that seeks to ease work-hour restrictions for 16 and 17-year-olds. The bill aims to eliminate the state law provision preventing these minors from working before 6:30 a.m. or after 11 p.m. and limiting them to eight hours on school days and 30 hours a week during the school session. The legislation suggests treating these minors similarly to adults in terms of employment hours.
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Some lawmakers propose loosening child labor laws to fill worker shortage
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To address worker shortages, several U.S. states, predominantly led by Republican lawmakers, are considering loosening child labor laws, permitting minors to work longer hours, including on school nights, and in riskier roles, such as serving alcohol. While proponents argue these changes expand work experience for teenagers and parental rights, child welfare advocates express serious concerns about diminishing protections for young workers. Reports highlight a considerable increase in child labor violations in recent years, with certain businesses supporting these legislative shifts to tap into the teenage workforce. However, critics emphasize the need to prioritize the safety and well-being of minors over addressing labor shortages.
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A conservative lobbying group is reportedly behind most state efforts to loosen child labor laws
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Several states are aiming to relax child labor laws, with many attributing the push to the conservative Florida-based think tank, the Foundation for Government Accountability (FGA), and its affiliated lobbying group, the Opportunity Solutions Project. While these groups argue the reforms give teens valuable job experience and enhance parental rights, critics suggest they bypass popular sentiment and compromise child safety. The Biden administration labeled such laws as "irresponsible" and hazardous, especially in light of a reported 69% surge in minors unlawfully employed since 2018. FGA asserts its motive is to diminish government intervention in the decision-making process between parents and their children's work ambitions.
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