Proponents of weakening child labour restrictions argue that such moves will help solve corporate America’s labour shortage problem. But varying state rules, and how they interact with federal legislation, could prove a potentially risky administrative headache for multi-state employers.
The employment of minors is usually subject to greater restrictions at both state and federal levels. However, a dozen states, sometimes with bipartisan support, have introduced or passed measures to weaken child labour protections in the past two years.