Children in Florida face a likelihood of working like adults as lawmakers are considering lifting child labor protection laws! Last year, restrictions prevented children from working before 6:30 am and not past 11 pm. However, those restrictions might be lifted soon.
A new bill is currently in the works for more work hours for teens, including night shifts on school days. The bill, SB 918, as approved by a divided senate panel on Tuesday, would allow 16 and 17-year-olds to work overnight on school nights and over 30 hours a week during school sessions. Even 14 and 15-year-olds who have graduated from high school or attend virtual school can do night shifts.
Moreover, the law would abolish mandatory lunch breaks for teens. Bill sponsor Rep. Jay Collins explained that the new law aligns with federal labor laws and has parents’ interests in mind. “This is a parental rights thing. Parents know their kids best,” Collins said in a report from CBS News. He further stated that most of the jobs done by the kids are in a safe environment, protecting their wellbeing.
On the other hand, Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith opposed the proposal, arguing that there are chances of child maltreatment from employers. “The bill is going to lead to exploitation of minors, exploitation of children,” Smith argued. The senator also poked holes into the rationale for letting kids in school work overnight. Sen. Tracie Davis supported Smith’s view, saying that the “bill takes away basic safeguards for children.”
The news of the legislation sparked mixed reactions from Internet users, with some users associating the new laws with the idea of slavery.
This user criticized writing, “Who needs an education when you have a perfectly good job picking cotton? If they can’t have slaves, they’ll get the next best thing.”
“The children yearn for the mines,” wrote another critic, with a third person replying, “We’re going back to the 1800s boys!” A fourth netizen sarcastically wrote, “Thank god they care about protecting children.”
This sarcastic comment read, “If an 11-year-old is old enough to give birth, I don’t see why a 14-year-old is not enough to work.” Another user shared a similar sentiment, replying, “Old enough to screw, old enough to crew.”
Florida is not the only state introducing controversial legislation that affects teenagers. A few days ago, Texas proposed a bill to jail teachers for recommending a classic book. As we previously reported, the lawmakers moved a bill limiting teachers from recommending Catcher in the Rye, proposing a ten-year sentence for violation.
Sen. Angela Paxton authored the bill, which intended to give parents control in deciding which books to keep and which to prohibit. The book, by J.D. Salinger, explores the themes of teenage rebellion, mental health, and sexuality.
Meanwhile, before the entire Florida Senate votes on SB 918, it must pass through two other committees.
