In a letter to legislators, the department said if a job isn't listed in the Fair Labor Standards Act, then it can't be performed by 14 and 15-year-olds.
DES MOINES, Iowa — A bill expanding youth employment in Iowa may violate federal labor laws, according to a letter from the U.S. Department of Labor.
Senate File 542 passed both the Iowa House and Senate during this past legislative session, and is now waiting for Gov. Kim Reynolds' signature to become law.
It's designed to let some teenagers work in restricted industries, like manufacturing, as long as it's part of a work-based learning program.
However, in a letter to Democratic leaders, the U.S. Department of Labor said that if a job isn't specifically listed in federal child labor regulations, then it can't be performed by 14 and 15-year-olds.
The Department of Labor said violating child labor regulations in this way would be considered "oppressive child labor."
"The Department will continue to closely monitor the status of child labor laws in Iowa and their potential ramifications for federal child labor law enforcement," the letter reads in part.
The letter also indicates that the department is investigating incidents of child labor in Iowa, saying, "The Department currently has over 600 child labor investigations underway nationwide, including in Iowa, and continues to field complaints and initiate investigations to protect children under the federal child labor laws."
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