The child labor legislation awaiting Gov. Kim Reynolds’ signature does not comply with federal law, according to a letter from U.S. Department of Labor employees.
Seven Democratic state senators sent a letter to the federal department in March, requesting a review of the provisions in Senate File 542 to determine whether they meet federal labor law requirements.
The bill, passed by both chambers of Iowa’s Republican-controlled Legislature, would lengthen hours minors can work and allow 16- and 17-year-olds to sell and serve alcohol. It also would allow minors to seek waivers from the state to work in restricted fields in employer training and work-study programs.
The labor department found multiple places where the bill’s language would conflict with federal labor laws, such as the hours 14- and 15-year-olds can work in Iowa. Iowa’s current law complies with federal regulations, allowing 14- and 15-year-olds to work between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. during the school year and until 9 p.m. in the summer. The legislation would allow minors to work until 9 p.m. during the school year and until 11 p.m. in the summer.
The bill would also allow 14- and 15-year-olds to work six hours on a school day, with 28 hours a week maximum during a school year. Federal law limits these young employees to three hours of work on a school day and 18 hours per week during the school year.
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