But DOL calls loosening of protections 'irresponsible'
As Congress starts probing the exploitation of unaccompanied illegal migrant children following a number of prosecutions by the Department of Labor, at least one state is pushing to allow American children to work more.
Iowa's Senate has passed a bill SF 542 that would allow children to work longer hours and in jobs that are currently prohibited, such as serving alcohol.
The bill still needs to be passed by the House before being sent to the governor for her signature.
Supporters of the bill argue that it will modernize Iowa's laws and teach children valuable skills through workforce training programs.
They also claim that having a job will give youth the opportunity to save for important expenses such as a car, prom dress, summer camp, or a date.
However, opponents of the bill, including all the state’s Democrat lawmakers, two Republicans and labor unions, argue that it increases the risk of workplace accidents and exposes inexperienced kids to more dangerous work environments.
They have tried to amend the bill to provide additional workers' compensation benefits for teenagers who get injured on the job.
"You don’t like it being branded as a bill about child labor, but yet your bill talks about kids getting injured in the workplace," said Sen. Nate Boulton. "So let’s make it about taking care of kids who are injured working in these jobs, because it will happen.”
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