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4w ago

Florida Legislature Considers Allowing 14-Year-Olds to Work Overnight Shifts

Proposed child labor law changes, backed by Governor DeSantis, aim to address labor shortages but raise concerns about exploitation and safety.

A view of the Florida State Capitol building.
Republican presidential candidate Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis laughs during a Fair-Side Chat at the Iowa State Fair, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2023, in Des Moines, Iowa.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis gives his State of the State address to a joint session on the opening day of the 2025 legislative session.(AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Overview

  • Florida lawmakers are debating a bill that would permit 14-year-olds to work overnight shifts on school days, loosening current child labor restrictions.
  • The proposed legislation would also remove guaranteed meal breaks for 16- and 17-year-olds and lift work hour limits for home-schooled teens aged 14 and 15.
  • Governor Ron DeSantis supports the changes, framing them as a solution to labor shortages caused by strict immigration policies, including mandatory E-Verify for employers.
  • Critics warn that the changes could lead to increased exploitation and health risks for teenagers, noting a tripling of child labor violations in the state in recent years.
  • Florida has already eased child labor protections, including a 2023 law allowing home-schooled 16- and 17-year-olds to work any hour of the day.