Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that amends various child labor laws to authorize minor employment in previously prohibited jobs.

Highlights:

• Authorizes directors of the Department of Education or Iowa Workforce Development grant exceptions to allow 14-17 year olds work in previously prohibited professions, so long as they are part of an approved training program with adequate supervision and safety prevausions, including exceptions for hazardous activities involving (Sec. 8):

• The operation of woodworking machines or guillotine shears;

• Repairing and cleaning power driven food slicers and grinders; and

• Manufacturing brick and tile.

• Expands 14 and 15 year olds to work in freezers and meat coolers and authorizes 16 and 17 year olds to do light assembly work involving explosives (Sec. 3). 

• Increases the hours limit for 14 and 15 year olds to work longer hours from 4 to 6 and up to 9:00 P.M during the school year and 11:00 P.M. during the summer months (Sec. 6).

• Prohibits 16 and 17 year olds from working in bars or strip clubs but specifies they may serve alcohol in restaraunts with written parental or guardian approval (Sec. 20).

• Authorizes 16 and 17 year olds to work the same amount of hours as adults 18 and older (Sec. 7).

• Prohibits minors under 18 years of age from the following professions still in all circumstances, including all (Sec. 4):

• Mining; 

• Work in meatpacking plants;

• Logging;

• Work in sawmills;

• Assembly work, 

• Operating power-driven machinery; and

• Exposure to radioactive substances and poisonous chemicals.

• Repeals current provisions that raised burden of proof requirements for workers compensation for minors injured in work-based learning programs (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text