Effort to strengthen penalties for child labor violations passes House Committee

A bill that would significantly increase penalties for child labor law violations

A bill that would significantly increase both civil and criminal penalties for employers found to have violated child labor laws received a favorable report Wednesday in the House Judiciary Committee.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

• Goal 4: Quality Education
• Goal 5: Gender Equality
• Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
• Goal 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

Senate Bill 119, sponsored by Sen. Robert Stewart, D-Selma, aims to address crimes against children and protect their rights, aligning with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) including Quality Education (Goal 4), Gender Equality (Goal 5), Decent Work and Economic Growth (Goal 8), and Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions (Goal 16).

Increased Civil Penalties for Child Labor Law Violations

1. The first category of child labor law violations includes employing someone under 16 in a prohibited occupation, allowing anyone under legal drinking age to serve alcoholic beverages, or employing a minor in unsanitary conditions.
2. The civil penalties for this category would increase from a flat $300 fine to a fine of at least $300.
3. The second category of child labor law violations includes more serious offenses such as employing minors under 16 to operate dangerous machinery or employing minors in the adult entertainment industry.
4. The civil penalties for this category would be increased from $1,000 to $5,000 to between $5,000 and $10,000.

Harsher Criminal Penalties for Violations

• If a violation of child labor laws by an employer causes serious injury or death to an individual:
• A first-time offense would be raised from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class C felony.
• Second and subsequent violations would be elevated from a Class C felony to a Class B felony, punishable with up to 20 years in prison.

Sen. Stewart emphasized the need for stronger penalties, stating that current state fines for child labor violations are inadequate. He highlighted recent incidents in Alabama where children were harmed due to unsafe working conditions.

Support from the Alabama Department of Labor

Sen. Stewart collaborated with the Alabama Department of Labor when crafting the bill, and the department expressed its support for the proposal.

Unanimous Support from the Judiciary Committee

The bill received unanimous support from members of the Judiciary Committee, indicating a collective commitment to protecting children’s rights and ensuring their safety in the workplace.

Amendments to the Bill

The bill had originally included harsher civil penalties for less serious violations of child labor laws. However, an amendment introduced by Sen. Arthur Orr changed the language and reduced the civil penalty for certain violations.

Increasing Illegal Employment of Children and Teens

The number of illegally employed children and teens in the United States has been on the rise, with a significant increase of over 49% in 2023 compared to the previous year, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.

Notable examples in Alabama include workers as young as 12 being employed by major suppliers for Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Corporation. These violations led to substantial fines against the suppliers, highlighting the importance of enforcing child labor laws.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The issues highlighted in the article are connected to SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth and SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article’s content, the specific targets that can be identified are:

• Target 8.7: Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labor, end modern slavery and human trafficking, and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labor
• Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article mentions indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:

• Indicator: Increase in civil and criminal penalties for employers found to have violated child labor laws
• Indicator: Harsher criminal penalties for employers found in violation of child labor laws causing serious injury or death

4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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Source: aldailynews.com

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