Florida Advances Bill to Relax Child Labor Laws

Florida lawmakers are pushing a controversial bill, SB 918, to relax child labor laws, allowing 16- and 17-year-olds to work unlimited hours and eliminating mandatory breaks. The proposed legislation also permits 14- and 15-year-olds who are homeschooled or have graduated to work without restrictions, including overnight shifts. Proponents, like Sen. Jay Collins, argue that the bill aligns with federal laws and emphasizes parental rights, while critics fear it could lead to child exploitation and is a response to labor shortages exacerbated by immigration crackdowns. Gov. Ron DeSantis supports the bill, linking it to filling job vacancies left by undocumented workers. Despite bipartisan opposition citing potential exploitation risks, the bill has cleared its first committee hurdle.