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A year after lawmakers relaxed the state’s child labor laws, the Legislature is considering a measure that would further roll back work restrictions for kids as young as 14.

The proposal sparked heated debate Tuesday before the Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee, which approved the bill by a split vote.

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Critics of the plan said it would lead to exploitation of children to fill employment gaps triggered by the state’s crackdown on illegal immigration. Proponents described working children as a “parental rights” issue.

The bill (SB 918) would do away with restrictions on 16- and 17-year-olds, who would be able to work more than eight hours a day on school nights and over 30 hours a week while school is in session, without mandated breaks.

In addition, the measure aims to remove restrictions for 14- and 15-year-olds who have graduated from high school, are homeschooled or attend virtual school.

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Bill sponsor Jay Collins, R-Tampa, told the committee that the bill would bring Florida into line with federal labor laws. Most of the jobs held by teens are in safe environments such as grocery stores, according...

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