Florida lawmakers pass child labor law exempting homeschool students
Florida lawmakers pass child labor law exempting homeschool students WFLA
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Florida Legislature Passes Watered-Down Version of Child Labor Bill
Video above: Legislature introduces “superior” bill restricting kids from social media
Introduction
The Florida Legislature has passed a revised version of a child labor bill that has faced criticism from labor advocates. The bill, known as HB-49, was introduced by Republican Rep. Linda Chaney, who represents part of Pinellas County.
Changes to Work Restrictions
The original version of the bill proposed the elimination of work restrictions for teenagers who have school the next day, as well as the requirement for a 30-minute break after four consecutive hours of work.
Labor Organizations’ Criticism
The proposed changes in the bill drew criticism from labor organizations, including the FL-CIO labor union. However, union leaders later approved the amended version of the bill.
Removal of Proposed Changes
As the bill progressed through committee, some of the proposed changes were removed. The current version of the law eliminates all time regulations for homeschool students and those enrolled in virtual school.
Debate and Concerns
During the debate on the bill, Democrats raised concerns about the exemption for homeschool students, questioning whether it could lead to the exploitation of teenage students by their parents, forcing them to work full-time. However, Sen. Danny Burgess (R-Zephyrhills), another lawmaker from the Tampa Bay area, argued in favor of the bill based on his experience as a homeschool parent. He believed that teenagers who finish their school duties early should be allowed to work.
Work Hour Restrictions
The revised bill sets a cap of 30 hours per week for 16 and 17-year-old workers, unless they have already graduated, are homeschooled, or their parent fills out an exemption form. If the bill is signed into law by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, older teenagers would be allowed to work seven days a week but would be restricted to 8-hour days.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
- SDG 4: Quality Education
The issues highlighted in the article are related to child labor laws and education for homeschool and virtual school students. SDG 8 focuses on promoting sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all. SDG 4 focuses on ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- 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 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.
The article discusses a child labor bill that has been criticized by labor advocates. This connects to Target 8.7 of SDG 8, which aims to eradicate forced labor and eliminate the worst forms of child labor. Additionally, the article mentions changes in regulations for homeschool students and those enrolled in virtual school. This relates to Target 4.1 of SDG 4, which focuses on ensuring that all children have access to quality primary and secondary education.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Indicator 8.7.1: Proportion and number of children aged 5-17 years engaged in child labor, by sex and age group.
- Indicator 4.1.1: Proportion of children and young people (a) in grades 2/3; (b) at the end of primary; and (c) at the end of lower secondary achieving at least a minimum proficiency level in (i) reading and (ii) mathematics, by sex.
The article does not explicitly mention indicators, but it discusses child labor regulations and changes in education for homeschool and virtual school students. The proportion and number of children engaged in child labor can be used as an indicator for measuring progress towards Target 8.7 of SDG 8. Additionally, the article raises concerns about the potential exploitation of teenage homeschool students, which relates to the need for ensuring minimum proficiency levels in reading and mathematics for children in different grades, as indicated by Indicator 4.1.1 of SDG 4.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Indicator 8.7.1: Proportion and number of children aged 5-17 years engaged in child labor, by sex and age group. |
| 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. | Indicator 4.1.1: Proportion of children and young people (a) in grades 2/3; (b) at the end of primary; and (c) at the end of lower secondary achieving at least a minimum proficiency level in (i) reading and (ii) mathematics, by sex. |
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Source: wfla.com
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