Looser child labor standards revived by committee that had temporarily blocked bill • Kentucky Lantern
Looser child labor standards revived by committee that had temporarily blocked bill • Kentucky Lantern Kentucky Lantern
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Bill Allowing Longer Working Hours for Teenagers Advances in Senate Committee
FRANKFORT — A bill that would allow some teenagers to work longer and later hours advanced out of a Senate committee Friday just a day after the same committee had blocked it.
House Bill 255
House Bill 255, sponsored by Rep. Phillip Pratt, R-Georgetown, was passed 7-4 out of the Senate Economic Development, Tourism, & Labor Committee in a special-called meeting. Republican Sens. Phillip Wheeler and Brandon Storm joined the minority of Democrats in opposing the bill. The bill had failed to receive enough votes to pass the committee on Thursday
- State law limits the number of hours that 16- and 17-year-olds can work on a school day to six. That limit increases to eight hours on a non-school day and up to 30 hours total during a school week, unless they receive parental permission to work more and maintain at least a 2.0 grade point average.
Alignment with Federal Child Labor Law
HB 255 would remove those state limits to align with federal child labor law, which doesn’t have any daily or weekly hour work limits for teenagers aged 16 and 17.
Concerns and Testimony
Speaking to the committee, Jamie Link, secretary of the state Education and Labor Cabinet, reiterated concerns that removing the limits could harm young Kentuckians.
Support for the Bill
Rep. Richard Heath, R-Mayfield, the chair of the House Agriculture Committee who was presenting the bill in lieu of the sponsor, said he didn’t “necessarily agree” with Link’s testimony.
“It’s a good thing this wasn’t a law when I was growing up. Our dad wouldn’t have been able to put out a crop,” Heath said. “Obviously I support the bill.” Child labor laws do not apply to children working on their parents’ farm.
Changes in State Law
The bill also deletes language in state law that mirrors federal prohibitions on employing 14- and 15-year olds in hazardous occupations, such as jobs that require the use of ladders, railroad cars and conveyors and loading and unloading goods from motor vehicles, according to Dwayne Hammonds, the Kentucky Division of Wages and Hours director.
Education and Labor Cabinet General Counsel Jessica Williamson also said state labor officials wouldn’t be able to enforce those hazardous occupation standards even though they would still be prohibited under federal law.
Opposition to the Bill
Opposing the bill, Sen. Reggie Thomas, D-Lexington, said, “When it comes to allowing 14- to 17- year olds to engage in labor that’s dangerous, harmful and threatens their life, and Kentucky has no oversight on that — we’re taking away Kentucky’s oversight — count me out on that.”
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
- SDG 4: Quality Education
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 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.
- SDG 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.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Indicator for SDG 8.7: Proportion and number of children aged 5-17 years engaged in child labor, by sex and age group.
- Indicator for SDG 4.4: Proportion of youth (aged 15-24 years) not in education, employment, or training.
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| 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. | Proportion and number of children aged 5-17 years engaged in child labor, by sex and age group. |
| SDG 4: Quality Education | 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. | Proportion of youth (aged 15-24 years) not in education, employment, or training. |
The article addresses the issues related to child labor and its potential impact on young Kentuckians. These issues are connected to SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, which aims to promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment, and decent work for all. Additionally, the article also touches upon the importance of education for young people, aligning with SDG 4: Quality Education.
Based on the article’s content, the specific targets that can be identified are SDG 8.7, which focuses on eradicating forced labor and child labor, and SDG 4.4, which aims to increase the number of youth with relevant skills for employment. These targets highlight the need to protect young workers and ensure they have access to quality education and skills training.
The article mentions the indicator for SDG 8.7, which is the proportion and number of children aged 5-17 years engaged in child labor, by sex and age group. This indicator can be used to measure progress towards eradicating child labor and ensuring the well-being of young workers. Additionally, the article implies the indicator for SDG 4.4, which is the proportion of youth (aged 15-24 years) not in education, employment, or training. This indicator reflects the need to provide educational and employment opportunities for young people.
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Source: kentuckylantern.com
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