New Bill Seeks to Toughen Child Labor Penalties
OAN’s Stephanie Stahl
3:30 PM – Thursday, October 19, 2023
A new Senate bill has been formally introduced to strengthen child labor laws in the United States, following a recent surge in child labor violations. This bipartisan proposal aims to increase penalties for violations, establish new criminal penalties, and provide victims with the ability to file civil lawsuits and seek compensation.
The bill, spearheaded by Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) and Sen. Todd Young (R-Ind.), comes in response to a significant 69% increase in child labor violations reported by the Labor Department.
“Recent data shows that child labor exploitation is not a thing of the past or a problem limited to the developing world. This bipartisan bill would strengthen our nation’s labor laws to better protect our children,” Young said.
If approved, the bill will impose new consequences for habitual employment of minors, including a potential monetary penalty of up to $50,000 and a maximum imprisonment term of one year.
The legislation also seeks to raise child labor fines from a maximum of $15,000 to $132,270. In cases of serious injuries or death, companies could face fines of up to $601,150 per violation. The current maximum fine is $25,000.
Schatz expressed his motivation to act when he discovered that the fines for child labor violations were “miniscule,” with some industry representatives preferring to keep the fines low indefinitely.
“You know, a 16-year-old is killed in a sawmill and multiple other kids are injured and the penalty is so small as to constitute the cost of doing business,” Schatz said.
The Department of Labor has found child labor infractions in various industries, including fast-food establishments, slaughterhouses, factories, and construction sites.
Under federal regulations, individuals under 18 are generally prohibited from working in most manufacturing facilities due to workplace hazards.
Employers often face challenges in verifying a worker’s age, as some individuals present fake identification documents claiming they are over 18.
Over the past year and a half, several tragic incidents have highlighted the dangers faced by underage and illegally-employed children. In one instance, a 16-year-old boy was killed in a Wisconsin sawmill facility, where the company had hired nine children, aged 14 to 17, to operate dangerous machinery.
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What industries have been found to have child labor infractions, and what challenges do employers face in verifying a worker’s age
Workers in the United States. In response to these incidents, a new bipartisan Senate bill has been introduced to strengthen child labor laws and ensure better protection for children.
The bill, spearheaded by Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) and Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.), comes as a response to a significant increase of 69% in child labor violations reported by the Labor Department. The data shows that child labor exploitation is not limited to the developing world but exists within the United States as well.
Senator Young, one of the key proponents of the bill, stated, “This bipartisan bill would strengthen our nation’s labor laws to better protect our children.” The aim is to increase penalties for violations, establish new criminal penalties, and provide victims with the ability to file civil lawsuits and seek compensation.
Under the proposed legislation, habitual employment of minors will result in potential monetary penalties of up to $50,000 and a maximum imprisonment term of one year. Additionally, child labor fines will be raised from the current maximum of $15,000 to $132,270. In cases of serious injuries or death, companies could face fines of up to $601,150 per violation, compared to the existing maximum fine of $25,000.
The motivation behind the bill stems from the realization that fines for child labor violations were incredibly low, which some industry representatives found preferable. Senator Schatz expressed his concern, highlighting how “a 16-year-old is killed in a sawmill and multiple other kids are injured, and the penalty is so small as to constitute the cost of doing business.”
Child labor infractions have been found in various industries, including fast-food establishments, slaughterhouses, factories, and construction sites. Federal regulations prohibit individuals under 18 from working in manufacturing facilities due to workplace hazards. However, employers often face challenges in verifying a worker’s age, as some individuals present fake identification documents claiming to be over 18.
The introduction of the bill signals a commitment to address the dangers faced by underage and illegal workers. By imposing stricter penalties and increasing fines, the legislation aims to discourage the employment of minors and improve the overall safety standards for workers, particularly children.
In conclusion, the bipartisan Senate bill introduced to strengthen child labor laws in the United States is a response to the alarming increase in child labor violations. If approved, it will have far-reaching consequences for companies and individuals who exploit underage workers. By raising penalties and fines, the legislation aims to protect children and ensure that child labor violations are taken seriously and appropriately punished.
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