Stop Rolling Back Child Labor Laws in Florida

The proposed bill, “An act relating to employment and curfew of minors,” seeks to amend employment restrictions for 16 and 17-year-olds, potentially exposing them to exploitative labor practices. It is important to note that such bills are often pushed by employers seeking to keep wages low and exploit children as a source of cheap labor. Over the past 20 years, we have seen a positive trend of youth labor force participation declining as more young people choose to complete high school and obtain additional education to increase their long-term employability and earnings. This bill threatens to reverse this trend, undermining the efforts of our youth to secure a better future. Furthermore, this bill undermines community autonomy by prohibiting local governments from enforcing stricter ordinances. If passed, this bill could harm the well-being and education of our young people. Therefore, it is crucial to oppose this bill and prioritize the welfare of our youth over potential economic gains. Voting against this bill would show that you value our children’s health and futures over corporate profits.