Bill relaxing child labor laws in Florida passes final House committee, awaits vote

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Legislation loosening child labor laws across Florida passed its final House committee stop on Tuesday.

The House Commerce Committee passed the bill by Rep. Linda Chaney, R-St. Pete Beach, HB 49.

The legislation removes some child labor law restrictions for 16 and 17 year-olds relating to work hours, while maintaining restrictions for those 15 and under.

Sen. Danny Burgess, R-Zephyrhills, filed the Senate companion legislation, SB 1596.

If enacted, the law would allow for those in the age group to work as many hours as those above the age of 18. Additionally, the minors would be able to work earlier and later in the day compared to their current limitations.

Chaney explained during the committee that the new regulations would align Florida with liberal states, including, Illinois, New Jersey and Vermont, while also maintaining stronger child labor laws in the state compared to national standards.

She also pointed out the mental and physical benefits of teenagers gaining work experience while in school.

Along with legislators, several activists and lobbyists spoke in favor and opposition to the bill.

Two teachers from Hillsborough and Palm Beach County spoke against the bill because of their experiences with students who can’t stay awake and alert in class due to the students long and late working hours.

Other members of the public calling the legislation “egregious” connected the bill to concerns with child labor in coal mines and factories in the early 20th century.

Three high school students from Tallahassee spoke in favor of the bill, as it would allow them to save for college and other activities, while maintaining good grades and participating in athletics.

Liberty County School Superintendent Kyle Peddie also spoke in favor of the bill.

“Currently, with the 18-credit system, we have kids graduating at 16 and 17 with certifications and hopefully maybe either a vocational certification or maybe they’re ready to enter the postsecondary world and there ready to work,” Peddie said.

He explained that a lot of the regulations have been restricting those same minors from participating in the workforce during those situations.

Rep. Allison Tant, D-Tallahassee, said that she was “very concerned” about students aged 16 and 17 during the “very pivotal” time in their teenage years.

“My main concern is actually making children vulnerable to labor trafficking,” she said. “Florida is already the second worst labor trafficking state in the nation.”

Rep. Bob Rommel, R-Naples, and the chair of the committee, stood with Chaney and her bill, emphasizing the positive aspects of it.

“There’s so many children that their first job is when they graduate college and then they realize, ‘oh my God I have to listen to a boss or make a customer happy,’ and then they get disgruntled,” he said.

“We’re not forcing anybody to go to work,” he added. “We’re not forcing anybody to work hours. We’re not forcing anybody to take jobs.”