PA House passes legislation to increase penalties for Child Labor Act violations

Rep. Regina Young    June 28, 2023 | 5:13 PM

HARRISBURG, June 28 – A bill (H.B. 1354) sponsored by state Rep. Regina Young, D-Phila., that would increase the penalties for employers found to be violating Pennsylvania’s Child Labor Act passed the Pennsylvania House of Representatives today by a vote of 180-23.

The legislation would increase the penalties for Child Labor Act violations from $500 to $1,000 for initial violations. The fine for repeat violations would be raised from $1,500 to $3,000.

“We cannot have companies thinking that violating Child Labor Act laws is just the cost of doing business here in the commonwealth,” Young said. “There are efforts in state legislatures across the country to weaken child labor laws, and this comes at a time when the U.S. Department of Labor reported a 283% increase in child labor law violations between 2015 and 2022. Here in Pennsylvania, we must make it clear: there will be penalties for exploiting the state’s children.”

The bill now goes to the Pennsylvania Senate for consideration.

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