Strengthening Child Labor Protections and Penalties
This act significantly strengthens child labor laws by redefining hazardous occupations and workplaces, increasing penalties for violations, and holding companies accountable for child labor in their supply chains. It aims to better protect children from exploitation and dangerous working conditions, ensuring their safety and well-being.
Key points
Expands the definition of "oppressive child labor" to include specific hazardous industries like manufacturing, mining, meat processing, and demolition for individuals under 18.
Increases civil penalties for child labor violations, including up to $690,000 (potentially doubled) for violations causing death or serious injury to minors, and introduces new penalties for retaliation.
Establishes liability for companies whose contractors or subcontractors engage in oppressive child labor, even if the company itself does not directly employ minors.
Grants the Secretary of Labor authority to issue stop work orders for child labor violations, requiring compensation for affected workers during the stoppage.
Mandates regular review and updates (at least every 5 years) by the Secretary of Labor of regulations concerning hazardous occupations and workplaces for minors.
Imposes child labor requirements on federal contractors and recipients of federal financial assistance, prohibiting the employment of minors in oppressive child labor within their operations.
Expired
Citizen Poll