Take Action
Now
Adding your voice to the Campaign to End US Child Labor increases the pressure on state and federal legislators to end the roll back of child labor laws in the United States.
We're creating state-level letter-writing campaigns on an ongoing basis for residents of states where rollbacks of child labor laws are in active progress, or where new protections are being proposed. We also have federal letter campaigns which anyone can take part in, anywhere in the US.
You can spread the word about the campaign using our social media toolkit.
PAST ACTIONS
BILLS AMENDED & ENACTED
FLORIDA
We campaigned to stop two bills which would have reduced protections for children aged 16-17 years old. One would have increased working hours for 16-17 year olds, and pre-empted Florida localities from enacting stronger laws. An amended version of the bill was signed into law in March 2024, which gives parents and school superintendents the ability to waive hour limitations for 16-17 year olds while school is in session. The other bill would have allowed 16-17 year olds to work in roofing and scaffolding. An amended version of this bill was signed into law in April 2024, which reduces protections for children by allowing 16-17 year olds to work on or near roofs up to 6ft high in residential settings.
BILL FAILED; BILL ENACTED
INDIANA
We campaigned to stop two House bills which would have reduced child labor protections. The first would have allowed an exempted minor who is at least 14 years old to work in farm labor during school hours on a school day, in breach of federal law. This bill failed to progress before the end of the 2024 legislative session. Unfortunately, the second bill was enacted in March 2024, which allows 14-15 year olds to work up until 9pm between June 1 and Labor Day, even if school is in session, and eliminated all hours limitations for 16-17 year-olds.
BILLS AMENDED & ENACTED
KENTUCKY
We campaigned against two bills which would have lowered child labor standards. The first would have allowed 12-13 year olds to participate in 'work programs' for non-profits, and the second would have prohibited the Kentucky Labor Commissioner from setting state standards at a higher level than the FLSA. Both of these changes were amended out of the subsequent bills.
BILL AMENDED & ENACTED; BILL FAILED
WEST VIRGINIA
We campaigned against two bills in West Virginia. Unfortunately, one was enacted which allows 16-17 year olds to engage in hazardous occupations such as roofing if they are enrolled in a youth apprenticeship program. The other bill would have eliminated work permits; this passed in the House, but the legislative session ended with the bill still in a Senate committee.
BILL VETOED BY GOVERNOR
WISCONSIN
Following successful passage in the House and Senate of a bill to eliminate the requirement for work permits for minors, we campaigned to ask Governor Evers to veto the proposed law. The governor vetoed the law in April 2024.