DES MOINES, Iowa —
Gov. Kim Reynolds signed SF542 into law Friday afternoon, which allows Iowa teenagers to work more hours a day and later at night. It also allows them to work jobs that were previously prohibited under state law.
“With this legislation Iowa joins 20 other states in providing tailored, common sense labor provisions that allow young adults to develop their skills in the workforce," Reynolds said in a statement. "In Iowa, we understand there is dignity in work and we pride ourselves on our strong work ethic. Instilling those values in the next generation and providing opportunities for young adults to earn and save to build a better life should be available.”
Under the new law, children under age of 16 will be able to work until 9 p.m. during the school year, and 11 p.m. in the summer.
It also allows 16- and 17-year-olds to serve alcohol in restaurants that are also serving food, with parental permission. The change does not apply to bars.
The new law may encounter legal challenges as it "appears to be inconsistent: with federal law. On March 14, Iowa Senate Democrats sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), requesting a review of the provisions.
On May 10, the DOL responded in a letter, stating, in part, "the proposed Iowa legislation appears to be inconsistent with federal child labor law in several respects."
Iowa's new law will allow "light assembly work" and momentary "work in meat freezers," which are both prohibited under federal law.
In 10 days in 2023 alone, Medicare paid approximately USD 13 million against suspected fraudulent claims. Washington: An Indian-origin individual has been declared a fugitive in the US after allege...