Fri Mar 28 11:40:00 UTC 2025: ## Florida Advances Bill Loosening Child Labor Laws Amidst Worker Shortages
**Tallahassee, FL** – Florida is moving forward with a controversial bill that would significantly relax child labor laws, allowing 14-year-olds to work overnight shifts. The bill, which passed its first committee vote Tuesday, reflects the state’s struggle to fill low-wage jobs, particularly in the wake of stricter immigration enforcement.
The legislation, supported by Governor Ron DeSantis, would lift current restrictions preventing minors from working before 6:30 AM or after 11 PM. Home-schooled teens aged 14 and 15 would face no working hour limitations under the proposed changes. Furthermore, the bill eliminates guaranteed meal breaks for 16 and 17-year-olds.
DeSantis, a vocal proponent of cracking down on undocumented workers, has framed the bill as a solution to labor shortages. He argues that employing teenagers is a preferable alternative to relying on foreign workers. This stance comes after Florida implemented E-Verify, a federal database requiring employers to check the immigration status of their employees. The Governor contends that while some businesses lost employees due to E-Verify, the loosened child labor laws offer a viable solution.
Critics, however, express concerns about the potential exploitation of young workers and the implications for their education and well-being. Economists have warned that the state’s strict immigration policies could exacerbate inflation and labor shortages, while the increase in child labor violations in recent years – nearly tripling according to the US Department of Labor – further fuels these concerns.
The bill now faces further committee reviews before a full Senate vote. Its passage would mark a significant shift in Florida’s child labor regulations, raising questions about the balance between addressing labor demands and protecting the rights and safety of young people.
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