Iowa moves to weaken child labor laws, joining other states

Lawmakers in Iowa passed a bill this week that, among other things, would allow children to work an additional two hours on school days and grant some underage teenagers permission to serve alcohol in restaurants. 

Senate File 542 now awaits approval from Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds — who expressed support of the measure last month. With Reynolds' signature, Iowa would join other states that have dialed back longstanding child labor protections or are looking to do so soon. Arkansas passed its Youth Hiring Act in March, which eliminated the requirement for children under 16 to obtain an employment certificate before getting hired. Lawmakers across eight states — including Minnesota and Missouri — have bills in progress that weaken youth labor laws, according to an Economic Policy Institute analysis. 

Iowa's bill would permit 14- and 15-year-olds to work in freezers and meat coolers, which is currently prohibited. The measure, passed Tuesday, would also allow the teens to work until 9 p.m. most days and until 11 p.m between June 1 and Labor Day.