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Lawmakers in Florida are currently considering a bill that would significantly roll back child labor protections, in an effort to make it easier for employers to hire for roles previously filled by undocumented immigrants.

Senate Bill 918 would allow companies to hire teenagers to work longer hours. It passed through a state senate committee earlier this week, and if voted into law, children as young as 14 would be permitted to work overnight shifts, even on school days. Certain work restrictions would be removed for minors over 16 years old, including prohibitions from working for more than eight hours per day, and more than 30 hours per week. And companies will no longer be required to provide minors over 16 with a designated 30-minute meal break.

The proposal also removes employment restrictions for homeschooled children, those who attend virtual school, or those who are underage but have graduated high school or received an equivalent degree.

“A lot of agriculture and tourism jobs in Florida are held by individuals who have either special visas or are being employed unlawfully, and they’re losing their jobs due to stricter enforcement of existing immigration law,” says Stefanie Camfield, an attorney as well as associate general counsel and director of HR services at Engage PEO, a Fort Lauderdale-based company that offers third-party human resource services. “Employers are going to struggle to figure out how to fill those spots.”

The bill has yet to be...

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