Florida Republicans Push Bill to Expand Child Labor Amid Immigration Crackdown
Amid increasing state and national immigration crackdowns that are shrinking the workforce, Florida lawmakers are advancing legislation that would expand child labor laws—a move Gov. Ron DeSantis has framed as a potential solution to labor shortages.
Why It Matters
Advocates and critics warn that allowing teenagers to work longer hours could negatively impact their education and disproportionately affect low-income youth who work out of necessity. The Tampa Bay Times reports that child labor law rollbacks could hinder academic performance and overall well-being.
Legislative Push: Senate Bill 918
On Tuesday, a Florida Senate committee advanced Senate Bill 918, which would allow teenagers as young as 14 to work overnight shifts and eliminate existing time limitations and required meal breaks for 16- and 17-year-old workers.
- The vote follows DeSantis’ remarks suggesting that young workers could replace undocumented labor.
- “Why do we say we need to import foreigners, even import them illegally, when you know, teenagers used to work at these resorts, college students should be able to do this stuff,” DeSantis said in a discussion with former Trump border czar Tom Homan.
What the Bill Would Change
The legislation, sponsored by Sen. Jay Collins (R-Tampa), removes time restrictions for 16- and 17-year-olds in the workplace.
- Current state laws prohibit them from working before 6:30 a.m. or after 11 p.m. on school days, and from working more than eight hours a day or 30 hours a week when school is in session.
- The bill also weakens labor protections for 14- and 15-year-olds under certain conditions, such as those who have graduated high school, obtained a GED, are homeschooled, or work for their parents.
Historical Context & Previous Efforts
A similar effort was introduced last year, backed by the conservative Foundation for Government Accountability, but was significantly weakened before it passed. The latest bill signals a renewed effort to deregulate child labor protections.
Debate Over the Bill
At Tuesday’s committee meeting, Collins defended the bill, arguing it would help teach kids “executive function.”
- “We want our kids to be academically prepared, but let’s talk about soft skills. Let’s talk about adult function. Let’s talk about executive thought process and management. Where do they learn that? Do we teach them that in school?” Collins said.
- He framed the issue as a matter of parental rights, adding, “This is the free state of Florida. … We do what’s right, no matter how difficult it is or how many people stand up against it.”
However, even some Republican lawmakers expressed hesitation.
- Sen. Nick DiCeglie (R-Indian Rocks Beach) voiced concerns: “I share many of the same concerns that my colleagues do up here. We’re talking about 14- and 15-year-olds.”
- The bill passed the Senate Committee on Commerce and Tourism on a 5-4 vote, with Republican Sen. Joe Gruters (R-Sarasota) joining Democrats in opposition.
Federal Labor Laws and Potential Conflicts
While the bill seeks to loosen Florida’s child labor laws, federal child labor laws still impose restrictions on minors under 16, limiting their working hours. However, 16- and 17-year-olds do not have a federal cap on work hours for non-agricultural jobs, potentially creating a legal gray area if Florida lawmakers move forward with deregulation.
What’s Next?
The bill now heads to further legislative debate and potential amendments as it moves through the state legislature. With concerns from both sides of the aisle, it remains to be seen whether Florida Republicans will modify the proposal or push forward with a full-scale rollback of child labor protections.
