Catherwood LibraryILR School

Potential new laws are being introduced that would ease child labor regulations and could put child workers at risk. Child workers are already at an increased risk as child labor violations have greatly increased in the past few years. The current child labor laws state that the minimum age for employment is 16 years old. The laws also place restrictions on the types of occupations and the number of hours that 14 and 15-year-olds can work, and restrictions from working in hazardous environments. Arkansas passed child labor laws that remove necessary work certificates and age verifications for children under 16. Iowa passed laws that would allow 16 and 17-year-old workers to serve alcohol and work in hazardous environments. Various other states are also working to pass laws that would relax child labor standards.