Breaking News: HB 49 has successfully cleared the Florida House Commerce Committee on January 23. CEO Sadaf Knight of the Florida Policy Institute issued a statement:
The Florida Policy Institute (FPI) has issued a statement from its CEO, Sadaf Knight: A bill that could potentially overturn established child labor protections in Florida is now ready for a floor vote in the state’s House.
Provisions in HB 49 still permit employers to schedule 16- and 17-year olds for over 30 hours a week, exceeding eight hours a day, and without breaks, regardless of their school commitments the next day. According to a recent analysis by FPI, approximately 80,000 teenagers between the ages of 16 and 17 are currently working in Florida. Interestingly, three out of four of these employed teens are also attending school. Florida teens from families with low income and immigrant youth would be significantly affected by the bill.
Additionally, this weakening of the child labor law is being proposed against the backdrop of a state with lax oversight of wage and labor laws.
During the 2024 legislative session, the primary emphasis should be on enhancing the health, safety, and general welfare of Florida’s youth. It is crucial to prioritize these aspects rather than undermining the existing child labor law protections. Last week, FPI and 99 other organizations sent a letter to legislative leaders, urging them to oppose these rollbacks. Florida House urged to reject HB 49.
Florida’s legislature is currently advancing two bills that aim to modify child labor laws.
Proposed legislation in Florida aims to extend the working hours for teenagers on school days and in certain hazardous occupations. Advocates on one side argue that the legislation will have a negative impact on children, while those on the opposing side maintain that it will provide benefits for families and businesses.
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A new proposed bill, House Bill 49, aims to grant teenagers the ability to work over 30 hours a week and for more than eight hours a day on a school night. A new Senate bill 460 is proposing to allow teenagers to work on roofs and scaffolding that are up to six feet high. Additionally, it would bring about changes that would provide students with exposure to various opportunities in skilled trades.
According to the nonprofit organization, Florida Policy Institute, researchers have expressed their approval of the emphasis on exposure to skilled trades. However, they have also raised significant concerns regarding other aspects.
“During a virtual press conference last week, Florida Policy Institute Political Analyst Alexis Tsoukalas expressed concern about the potential consequences of rolling back these provisions. Tsoukalas highlighted the existing imbalance between school and work and emphasized the potential long-term impact on education and the economy.”
“Let’s be clear,” emphasized Debbie Berkowitz, a practitioner fellow with the Kalmanovitz Initiative for Labor and the Working Poor, during the press conference. Tragic fatalities occur during roofing work.
During a recent legislative committee hearing, representatives from the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association emphasized the potential benefits of proposed bills. According to these industry leaders, the bills aim to increase staffing levels and eliminate unnecessary restrictions on teenage employees. Samantha Padgett reports that the association has received an overwhelming amount of positive support from hoteliers and restauranteurs.
Padgett expressed optimism that this move would have a substantial impact on businesses, providing them with a valuable opportunity to bring in younger workers and kickstart their professional growth.
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