Florida Senate Committee Advances Bill That Will Remove Restrictions on Child Labor

• In a 5-4 vote, Florida Senate committee approved bill SB 918 that would roll back labor protections for children, putting them at risk of being exploited

•  Analysts suggest the legislation aims to address labor shortages created by recent immigration restrictions

  
  

A controversial bill that would significantly reduce labor protections for teenage workers has cleared its first legislative hurdle in Florida. The Senate Committee on Commerce and Tourism narrowly approved SB 918, a measure that removes several long-standing safeguards designed to protect the well-being of teenage workers, in a 5-4 vote. 

Key Changes Proposed

The legislation would dramatically alter working conditions for minors in Florida by:

• Allowing 16- and 17-year-olds to work up to eight hours on school nights, with shifts permitted before 6:30 a.m. and after 11 p.m.

• Eliminating mandatory rest breaks for teenagers working shifts longer than four consecutive hours

• Removing several restrictions for 14- and 15-year-old workers who have obtained high school equivalency diplomas, are home-schooled, or have received certificates of exemption

Why This Matters for Children

Workplace protections exist for a reason—to prevent exploitation and ensure that children have time for education and rest. Eliminating these safeguards could force teens into physically demanding jobs that interfere with their development and future opportunities.

During Committee discussion of the bill, Senator Carlos Guillermo Smith posed an important question: "Without these safeguards, who ensures these children aren't being overworked or mistreated by employers seeking cheap labor?" 

The Bigger Picture: Who Benefits from This Bill?

Following the Trump Administration’s crackdown on immigration, Governor Ron DeSantis recently suggested that businesses struggling to hire workers should rely on local teens and college students instead. The timing of his comments has led many experts to believe this legislation is being pushed to address labor shortages created by the immigration restrictions, rather than to benefit families or protect parental rights as some proponents have argued.

Currently, federal law provides important restrictions on child labor. Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), 16- and 17-year-olds can work up to 30 hours per week but cannot work past 11 p.m. on school nights. Meanwhile, 14- and 15-year-olds have even stricter limits, preventing them from being overworked during the school year.

What’s Next?

The Senate panel approved the bill in a narrow 5-4 vote. If passed by the full legislature and signed into law, these changes would go into effect in July. 

Families, educators, and child welfare advocates are urging lawmakers to reconsider the bill and prioritize the safety and well-being of Florida’s youth over the demands of the labor market.