(Hill) – Florida lawmakers are considering major changes in the state’s child labour laws that will loosen restrictions on when and how long teens can work as the state wears due to a shortage of migrant workers under GOP-led immigration crackdown.
The state Senate committee briefly advanced the proposal on Tuesday, eliminating restrictions banning jobs for 16 and 17 years olds before 6:30am or after 11pm on class days, working more than eight hours on school days and more than 30 hours a week while at school. The proposal also ends the requirement that teens receive at least 30 minutes of meal breaks when working on eight-hour shifts.
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Additionally, it eliminates some restrictions on the employment of 14- and 15-year-olds enrolled in homeschooling or virtual schools.
Another step forward at the Capitol will allow teens employed as interns or trainees to fall below the state’s $13 hour minimum wage, which is expected to increase to $15 next year.
Tallahassee Democrats reported that supporters of change say the measure gives teens experiences and skills that will help them later in their lives.
Opponents argue that the bill could promote child exploitation and impact schooling.
Florida is facing a sudden shortage of workers. There are around 53 available workers for every 100 open jobs in the state, according to figures from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who failed to make GOP’s 2024 presidential appointment, signed a law in 2023 aimed at cracking down on state immigration by punishing employers who hire undocumented workers. Florida is also preventing local governments from providing driver’s licenses to undocumented people.
Opponents of the law raised concerns about the impact on the state’s major industries, including tourism, agriculture and construction.
In a recent discussion focusing on President Donald Trump’s border border with Emperor Tom Homan in New College, Florida, Sarasota, DeSantis proposed the idea of a teen to fill the gap left by undocumented workers.
“They said, ‘Oh, you know, you won’t be able to hire people,’ etc.’,” DeSantis said. “What’s the problem with expecting our young people to work part-time right now? I mean, that’s when I was growing up.”
He noted in particular that the vast resorts dotted along Florida’s coastline provide opportunities for teens to make money.
“Why do you say we need to import foreigners… when you know that teenagers worked at these resorts?” he said. “A college student should be. That’s what you’re supposed to be. You’re in debt of $30,000, you’re just taking a loan, you’re not expected to work at all. I think priorities are a mess, and I think I can definitely do it.”
Several states, including Arkansas and Iowa, have been trying to overthrow Youth Labor Act in recent years, citing employee shortages.
