HB 638 -- Child Labor

Sponsor:  McLuckie

The bill makes entities which violate the child labor laws
civilly liable for violation of the laws. The fine for each
violation is more than $50 but less than $1,000 per day. Fines
collected will be deposited in a Child Labor Enforcement Fund
created by the bill. The fund is dedicated to the Division of
Labor Standards for investigation and enforcement of child labor
laws.

The bill allows children under the age of 16 to work in the
entertainment industry if the child has a work permit issued by
the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. Work permits
are allowed if the department receives: proof of the child's
age; written consent of the child's parent and school principal;
a written statement from a physician stating that the child is
in good mental and physical health and that the labor performed
will not injure the child's mental or physical health; and a
written statement from the prospective employer explaining what
the child will do and the number of hours the child will work.

The bill also regulates the working conditions of children under
16 working in the entertainment industry. These include:

regulating the number of hours a child can work; regulating when
a child can work; requiring nurses to be present when children
under 6 months are working; requiring the parent or parents'
designee to be present when the child is working; requiring the
employer to designate an individual to coordinate matters
concerning the child's welfare; requiring the employer to
provide the child with a suitable place of rest and play;
prohibiting the child from performing stunts without consent of
the child's parent; and prohibiting the child from working in
dangerous situations.