States ease teen employment laws amid rising child labor violations

As labor shortages continue across several industries, a number of states are trying a controversial new strategy: making it easier to employ teenagers. Over the past two years, bills that make it easier for minors to work at paid jobs have been introduced in Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Ohio, New Jersey, New Hampshire, and Arkansas. But each was written with a different focus and in a variety of contexts. For example, the Minnesota bill focused on making it easier for construction companies to hire 16- and 17-year-olds. The New Jersey bill allowed minors between 16 and 18 to work up to 50 hours a week (or 10 hours a day) during their summer break.In Iowa, the U.S. Department of Labor sent a letter to Iowa lawmakers saying some regulations in the state bill were “inconsistent” with federal laws, like letting 16- and 17-year-olds operate dangerous tools.

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