Florida House passes child labor bill that would let teens work more

Florida House Passes Bill to Modify Child Labor Protections

Florida House members passed a bill on Thursday that would roll back some child labor protections and allow teenagers to work longer hours during the school year. Critics argue that this legislation, sponsored by Rep. Linda Chaney, R-St. Pete Beach, would have a negative impact on the health and education of teenagers. However, proponents claim that it would benefit the economy and provide more opportunities for teenagers.

Although the House has approved their bill with an 80-35 vote, there are significant differences between their legislation and the Senate’s. Senators have emphasized that their bill is narrower in scope, creating a distinction between the two chambers.

Key Points about the Bill

• The House bill (HB49) would allow 16- and 17-year-olds to work more than eight hours in a day, even if school is the next day, or more than 30 hours a week when school is in session.
• Initially, the bill eliminated all restrictions on 16- and 17-year-olds working in the early morning or late at night. However, after receiving criticism, Chaney amended the bill to maintain rules that limit these teenagers from working later than 11 p.m. or earlier than 6 a.m. on a school day, similar to current law.
• Under the bill, homeschooled, virtual school attendees, and dropouts would be allowed to work during school hours.
• The requirement for teenagers to have breaks every four hours of work would be eliminated. The bill states that teens should receive breaks in the same manner as other employees, which may mean no breaks at all. Florida employers are not obligated to provide food or rest breaks by law.

Before the House vote, Democrats presented 10 amendments aiming to weaken the legislation or reintroduce certain safeguards. However, all of these amendments were voted down or disqualified.

Advocacy Group and Funding

• The draft legislation was written by the conservative advocacy group Foundation for Government Accountability and then passed on to Chaney’s aide, according to records from the Florida House of Representatives.
• The organization has been involved in other efforts to roll back child labor laws in different states.
• The foundation receives significant funding from billionaire Richard Uihlein, who has donated over $2 million to Gov. Ron DeSantis over the years.

Supporters’ Perspective

• Chaney argues that the bill benefits businesses and provides opportunities for teenagers. She emphasizes that the bill does not change any of the state’s restrictions on teens working hazardous jobs.
• Chaney believes that teenagers want to work, but existing restrictions discourage employers from hiring them and prevent them from obtaining the desired hours.
• The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association supports the bill. Samantha Padgett, the group’s vice president of government relations, claims that current restrictions are outdated and make staffing particularly challenging on Sunday evenings.
• Padgett states that mandated break restrictions for teens are especially problematic in the restaurant industry as they often occur during busy periods.
• According to Padgett, employers would be more inclined to hire 16- and 17-year-olds if the restrictions were relaxed.

Opponents’ Perspective

• Several teachers traveled to Tallahassee to express concerns that longer working hours for kids would leave them with less time to focus on their schoolwork. They also mentioned how their students already experience fatigue during class.
• Other opponents fear that under the proposed changes, a teenager could be fired for requesting shorter hours before a final exam or other academic needs. Rep. Robin Bartleman, D-Weston, shared her own experience of working at a Winn-Dixie during junior high school and how her boss threatened to fire her if she didn’t stay late.
• Democrats opposing the bill highlighted the increase in child labor violations in Florida. According to an analysis of U.S. Department of Labor data conducted by the Florida Policy Institute, child labor violations in Florida rose by nearly 60% from 2021 to 2022. The Florida Policy Institute is against the legislation.
• Rep. Ashley Gantt, D-Miami, stated that the children who would be most exploited are those from low-income backgrounds.

Differences in the Senate Bill

• The Senate bill, sponsored by Sen. Danny Burgess, R-Zephyrhills, also addresses when teenagers can work but differs from the House bill in several key aspects.
• Sen. Burgess described the Senate bill (SB1596) as distinct from other bills that have gone through the process.
• The Senate bill maintains some of the state’s child labor laws, including the prohibition on 16- and 17-year-olds working more than eight hours on a day preceding a school day and a limit of 30 hours of work per week during the school year. However, it introduces exceptions that allow teens to work more than eight hours on holidays and Sundays.
• The Senate bill permits teens to work as early as 5:30 a.m. and as late as midnight on days before school.
• Furthermore, the Senate bill specifies that any employer who schedules a minor in violation of the law may face a second-degree misdemeanor or fines.
• Unlike the House bill, the Senate bill allows homeschooled teenagers to work early in the morning as well as during school hours.

Other Bills Affecting Child Labor in Florida

• Another controversial bill filed by Sen. Corey Simon, R-Tallahassee, and Rep. John Snyder, R-Stuart, has garnered attention this session.

• SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

  1. SDG 4: Quality Education

     • Target 4.1: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable, and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes.
     • Target 4.4: By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs, and entrepreneurship.

     The article discusses how opponents of the bill fear that longer working hours for teenagers will result in less time to focus on their school work. This connects to SDG 4, which aims to provide quality education for all. The targets under SDG 4 that are relevant to this issue are ensuring that all girls and boys complete free, equitable, and quality primary and secondary education (Target 4.1) and increasing the number of youth with relevant skills for employment (Target 4.4).

  2. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

     • 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 8.8: Protect labor rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all workers, including migrant workers, in particular women migrants, and those in precarious employment.

     The article discusses how proponents of the bill argue that it would help the economy and offer teenagers more opportunity. This connects to SDG 8, which aims to promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all. The targets under SDG 8 that are relevant to this issue are eradicating forced labor and child labor (Target 8.7) and promoting safe and secure working environments for all workers (Target 8.8).

  Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

  SDGs	Targets	Indicators
  SDG 4: Quality Education	Target 4.1: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable, and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes. Target 4.4: By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs, and entrepreneurship.	No specific indicators mentioned in the article.
  SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth	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 8.8: Protect labor rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all workers, including migrant workers, in particular women migrants, and those in precarious employment.	No specific indicators mentioned in the article.

  Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.

  Source: tampabay.com

   

  

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