Florida lawmakers are thinking about changing child labor laws to let teens work longer hours and during late nights or early mornings. This comes as the state faces a worker shortage due to strict immigration laws.
A state Senate panel just approved a proposal to remove rules that stop 16- and 17-year-olds from working before 6:30 a.m. or after 11 p.m. on school days. It would also allow them to work more than eight hours a day or 30 hours a week while school is in session. Another change would remove the requirement for a 30-minute meal break during eight-hour shifts.
The proposal also eases work restrictions for 14- and 15-year-olds who are home-schooled or attend virtual school. A different bill in the state House would allow businesses to pay teens in internships or training programs less than the current $13-an-hour minimum wage, which is set to rise to $15 next year.
Supporters say these changes will help teens gain job experience and useful skills. But opponents argue the bills could lead to child exploitation and interfere with school.
Florida is dealing with a major worker shortage. According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, there are only 53 available workers for every 100 job openings in the state.
Governor Ron DeSantis, who ran unsuccessfully for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, signed a law in 2023 cracking down on immigration. It punishes businesses that hire undocumented workers and stops local governments from giving them driver’s licenses. Some people worry that this will hurt Florida’s tourism, agriculture, and construction industries, which depend on immigrant workers.
During a discussion with former President Trump’s border adviser, Tom Homan, DeSantis suggested that teenagers could replace undocumented workers. He argued that teens should take on more jobs, especially at resorts along Florida’s coast.
“Why do we say we need to bring in foreign workers when teenagers used to do these jobs?” DeSantis said. He also criticized college students for taking on debt without working.
Florida is not alone in changing youth labor laws. In recent years, states like Arkansas and Iowa have also rolled back child labor protections to help with worker shortages.
