At least 16 states have introduced or passed laws rolling back child labor protections in the past two years: State child labor legislation activity, 2021–2023
| State | Indicator | Status | Bill | Year | Industry supporters | Bill details | Detailed status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | |||||||
| Alaska | |||||||
| Arizona | |||||||
| Arkansas | 1 | Enacted | HB 1410 | 2023 | Opportunity Solutions Project (Foundation for Government Accountability) | Eliminates age verification and parent/guardian permission requirements | Enacted |
| California | |||||||
| Colorado | |||||||
| Connecticut | |||||||
| Delaware | |||||||
| Washington D.C. | |||||||
| Florida | 2 | Introduced | HB 49 | 2023 | Increases hours for 16–17 year-olds and preempts localities from enacting stronger laws | Introduced | |
| Georgia | 2 | Introduced | HB 501 | 2023 | Eliminates work certificate requirement; lowers age for work in landscaping | Introduced; withdrawn | |
| Hawaii | |||||||
| Idaho | |||||||
| Illinois | |||||||
| Indiana | |||||||
| Iowa | 1 | Enacted | 2023 (SF 542); 2022 (HF 2198) |
Americans for Prosperity; Fareway Stores, Inc.; Home Builders Association of Iowa; Iowa National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB); Iowa Farm Equipment Dealers Association; Iowa Association of Business and Industry (ABI); Iowa Hotel and Lodging Association; Iowa Restaurant Association; Iowa Travel Industry Partners; Opportunity Solutions Project (Foundation for Government Accountability) [HF 2198]; Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce (HF 2198) |
Lifts restrictions on hazardous work; lowers age for alcohol service; extends work hours (SF 542); Lowers minimum age of child care workers; increases staff-to-child ratios (HF 2198). |
Enacted (SF 542); Enacted (HF 2198) |
|
| Kansas | |||||||
| Kentucky | |||||||
| Louisiana | |||||||
| Maine | 2 | Introduced | LD 1332; LD 559 |
2023 (LD 1332); 2023 (LD 559) |
Maine Tourism Association (LD 1332); Maine Chamber of Commerce (LD 559) | Subminimum wage for youth (LD 1332); Extends work hours for some home-schooled youth during school year (LD 559) |
Introduced (LD 1332); Introduced (LD 559) |
| Maryland | |||||||
| Massachusetts | |||||||
| Michigan | 1 | Enacted | HB 5696 and HB 5726; HB 4232 |
2022 (HB 5696 and HB 5726); 2022 (HB 4232) |
Lowers age to work at liquor stores (HB 5696 and HB 5726); Lowers age to serve alcohol (HB 4232) |
Enacted (HB 5696 and HB 5726); Enacted (HB 4232) |
|
| Minnesota | 2 | Introduced | SF 375; SF 1102 |
2023 (SF 375); 2023 (SF 1102) |
Lifts restrictions on hazardous work (SF 375); Extends work hours (SF 1102) |
Introduced (SF 375); Introduced (SF 1102) |
|
| Mississippi | |||||||
| Missouri | 2 | Introduced | SB 175 | 2023 | Opportunity Solutions Project (Foundation for Government Accountability) | Eliminates work certificate requirement for 16–17 year-olds | Introduced |
| Montana | |||||||
| Nebraska | 2 | Introduced | LB 15 | 2023 | Subminimum wage for youth | Introduced | |
| Nevada | |||||||
| New Hampshire | 1 | Enacted | SB 345 | 2022 | New Hampshire Lodging and Restaurant Association; New Hampshire Liquor Commission | Lowers age to bus tables where alcohol is served; extends work hours | Enacted |
| New Jersey | 1 | Enacted | A4222 | 2022 | New Jersey Chamber of Commerce; New Jersey Business and Industry Association | Extends work hours; increases time before break | Enacted |
| New Mexico | |||||||
| New York | |||||||
| North Carolina | |||||||
| North Dakota | |||||||
| Ohio | 2 | Introduced | SB 30 | 2023 | Americans for Prosperity; Pickerington Area Chamber of Commerce; Ohio NFIB; Ohio Restaurant Association | Extends work hours | Passed in the Senate |
| Oklahoma | |||||||
| Oregon | |||||||
| Pennsylvania | |||||||
| Rhode Island | |||||||
| South Carolina | |||||||
| South Dakota | 2 | Introduced | HB 1180 | 2023 | Extends work hours | Introduced; withdrawn | |
| Tennessee | 1 | Enacted | HB 1212 | 2023 | Lowers age from 18 to 16 for work in businesses that receive over 25% of monthly gross receipts from alcohol sales | Enacted | |
| Texas | |||||||
| Utah | |||||||
| Vermont | |||||||
| Virginia | 2 | Introduced | HB 1669 | 2023 | Subminimum wage for youth | Introduced; failed in the House | |
| Washington | |||||||
| West Virginia | |||||||
| Wisconsin | 2 | Introduced | SB 332; AB 286 |
2021–2022 (SB 332); 2023 (AB 286) |
Wisconsin Grocers Association; Wisconsin Independent Businesses, Inc.; Wisconsin NFIB; Association of Wisconsin Tourism Attractions; Wisconsin Hotel and Lodging Association (SB 332) | Extends work hours (SB 332); Lowers age to serve alcohol (AB 286) |
Passed in the House and Senate, vetoed by the governor (SB 332); Introduced (AB 286) |
| Wyoming |
Source: EPI analysis of state legislative activity and news related to child labor legislation.