INDIANAPOLIS – A House employment committee voted 8-3 Thursday to ease several child labor laws, including allowing youth as young as 14 to work during school hours with parental permission.
Supporters noted the bill mirrors existing federal law and a key amendment is largely aimed at Amish or Mennonite children who don’t go to school past eighth grade. However, opponents stressed the need for child labor laws and keeping children in school.
House Bill 1093 repeals provisions restricting how long and when minors between 16 and 18 can work. It also specifies that a prohibition on kids aged 16 to 18 working in a hazardous occupation doesn’t apply to youth performing farm labor.
An amendment was added with language from House Bill 1062 that a child who is at least 14 and has completed eighth grade can work during traditional work hours with parent approval.
Stephen Jones testified that when a child or a student leaves the structure of a school, their learning doesn’t end. We teach our children to work responsibly so that they can become productive citizens in our society.
Shawn Christ, secretary-treasurer for the Indiana State AFL-CIO, called the bill “an attempt to roll back child labor protections that have been fought for generation after generation.”
He noted that in the 19th Century, one in every six minors under 16 was employed. But years of advocacy and common sense have reduced that.
“We believe that children should focus on improving their education and obtaining skills transferrable to the workplace,” Christ said.
The bill now moves to the full House. See the full Indiana Capital Chronicle story, here.
