ICYMI: Legislation to Increase Penalties for Child Labor Violations Becomes Law

Law Increases Financial Penalties for Violating Child Labor Laws

Denver, CO – Governor Jared Polis Signs Legislation to Strengthen Child Labor Laws

Law increases financial penalties for businesses that violate the law, incentivizes reporting and improves transparency

DENVER, CO –  Governor Jared Polis yesterday signed legislation sponsored by Representatives Sheila Lieder and Judy Amabile into law administratively to ramp up financial penalties for businesses that violate child labor laws.

“Over the years, Colorado has made important progress to improve child labor laws – but we must ensure violators are held accountable for their actions,” said Rep. Sheila Lieder, D-Littleton. “Under current law, businesses face small or non-existent fines for child labor violations that could be putting our youth at risk. Our law significantly increases financial penalties to hold bad actors accountable, and importantly, keep our youth safe. We’re also committed to protecting those who speak out about child labor violations from retaliation, and this bill sets up guidelines to ensure those whistleblowers are protected.”

“We need to ensure our state’s child labor laws are working as intended – the health and safety of our youth depends on it,” said Rep. Judy Amabile, D-Boulder. “This law encourages violation reporting, improves transparency around enforcement measures, and increases penalties for violations of these common sense protections. Outlined in the law are additional whistleblower protections to keep those who report child labor violations safe from retaliation. At the end of the day, we need to ensure our businesses are operating lawfully and our youth is protected, and this law brings us closer to that important goal.”

HB24-1095 updates the Colorado Youth Employment Opportunity Act of 1971 and strengthens the penalty structure. Under current law, first-time child labor law violators face no fines or fines of only a few hundred dollars. This law raises the total range a violator may be fined for first and repeated offenses. HB24-1095 also removes legal disincentives that keep victims of child labor violations from reporting and protect child workers from employer retaliation.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

The issue of child labor violations addressed in the article is connected to SDG 8, which focuses on promoting sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

The issue of protecting whistleblowers from retaliation is connected to SDG 16, which aims to promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all, and build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels.

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

The article highlights the need to hold businesses accountable for violating child labor laws and increase financial penalties for such violations. This aligns with Target 8.7, which aims to eradicate child labor.

Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children

The article mentions the importance of protecting whistleblowers who report child labor violations from retaliation. This aligns with Target 16.2, which aims to end all forms of violence against children.

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

The article emphasizes the need to increase financial penalties for businesses that violate child labor laws, indicating a commitment to reducing child labor. This aligns with Indicator 8.7.1, which measures the proportion and number of children engaged in child labor.

Indicator 16.2.3: Proportion of young women and men aged 18-29 years who experienced sexual violence by age 18

Although not explicitly mentioned in the article, protecting whistleblowers from retaliation is crucial in ensuring the safety of those who report child labor violations. This aligns with Indicator 16.2.3, which measures the proportion of young women and men who have experienced sexual violence.

4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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Fuente: cohousedems.com

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