The Iowa Legislature passed through before their session closed to loosen and update the state child labor laws. 

The bill, Senate File 542 passed both chambers of the legislation which extends work hours to teenagers and allows them to serve alcohol at restaurants under parental approval and other certain conditions. The legislation increased the hours children under the age of 16 can work during the school year from four to six hours and extended how late they can work from 9 to 11pm. Republican House Representative for District 28 David Young says that this bill also updates Iowa’s child labor laws to allow a child over the age of 14 to operate a microwave in a work environment along with folding laundry and bagging groceries. He tells Raccoon Valley Radio that this will help the state’s workforce shortage issues. 

“So we need workers here in Iowa. Our employers tell us that at the same time, I think getting our kids and, you know, it helped me as a kid and maybe you and so many other of our listeners, you know, working at a young age helped develop a sense of responsibility, the value of the dollar and help with just socialization as well.”

Democrat Senator from District 14 Sarah Trone-Garriott, who voted against the bill, has questions that this bill would contradict federal child labor laws. She adds that this policy will put pressure on low income students and families to work instead of focusing on school.

“Well, think about the situation. This is not going to impact the kids whose families are well off and they’re busy with their sports and activities, who it’s going to really impact are families who are struggling, the families who are having a hard time putting food on the table. And we know that for a lot of working families, you can have multiple jobs and still not be making ends meet.”

The legislation also creates a committee to recommend if children under the age of 14 can get a special permit to drive themselves a certain distance for non-farm work. The bill heads to the Governor’s desk for her signature to become law.