Pa. House passes bill hiking child labor fines, with growing partisan divide – PennLive

Pa. House passes bill hiking child labor fines, with growing partisan divide  PennLive

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Mar 25, 2025 - 05:30
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Pa. House passes bill hiking child labor fines, with growing partisan divide – PennLive

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Child Labor Violations in Pennsylvania

Introduction

In a significant move towards addressing child labor violations, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives has passed a bill for the second time in less than two years. This bill aims to increase penalties for such violations, highlighting the growing partisan divide on this issue.

The Bill and Voting Results

The bill, which can be accessed here, was passed by the House with a vote of 117 to 85. Notably, all Democrats supported the bill, while most Republicans opposed it.

Penalty Hike for Employers

The bill proposes an increase in fines for businesses that employ underage workers. Currently, the fines stand at $500 for the first offense and $1,500 for subsequent offenses. If the bill becomes law, these fines will be raised to $1,000 and $3,000, respectively.

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

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.

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 (relevant to measuring the prevalence of child labor).
  • Indicator 8.7.2: Number of victims of human trafficking per 100,000 population (relevant to measuring progress in eradicating human trafficking).

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.
  • Indicator 8.7.1: Proportion and number of children aged 5-17 years engaged in child labor, by sex and age group (relevant to measuring the prevalence of child labor).
  • Indicator 8.7.2: Number of victims of human trafficking per 100,000 population (relevant to measuring progress in eradicating human trafficking).

Source: pennlive.com