DeSantis' Office Proposes Major Child Labor Law Rollbacks in Florida

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is spearheading proposals to further roll back child labor protections in the state, following previous relaxations implemented last year. The new legislation would eliminate the 30-hour work limit for 16-year-olds, allow 14-year-olds in virtual or home school to work, and permit some 13-year-olds to work during the summer. Emails obtained from the governor's office revealed that draft legislation and talking points were shared with lawmakers sponsoring these bills, indicating a coordinated effort to push these changes. DeSantis has publicly justified the need for a younger workforce, stating that it could address labor shortages and criticizing reliance on imported labor. The proposed laws have received pushback from some Republican lawmakers, as they coincide with discussions on potentially allowing lower wages for young workers. Critics argue these rollbacks could jeopardize child welfare and labor standards in Florida.