Florida lawmakers are considering rolling back child labor protections, allowing younger teens to work longer hours, including overnight shifts on school days, in a bid to address critical labor shortages. The move comes after Governor Ron DeSantis’ crackdown on undocumented workers, which left many low-wage jobs unfilled across the state.

Florida’s Child Labor Law Overhaul: What’s Changing?

A new bill, which passed its first hurdle in the Florida Senate’s Commerce and Tourism Committee with a 5-4 vote, seeks to remove existing restrictions on teen work hours. If approved, the law would:

Allow 14- and 15-year-olds to work overnight shifts on school days (currently prohibited from working past 11 PM or before 6:30 AM).
Eliminate work-hour restrictions for home-schooled teens, enabling them to work without limits.
End mandatory meal breaks for 16- and 17-year-olds, a current requirement under Florida labor laws.

The bill must still pass two more committees before a full vote in the Florida Senate. If enacted, it would mark one of the biggest rollbacks of child labor protections in the U.S. in recent years.

Why Is Florida Pushing for This?

The legislation is being framed as a solution to Florida’s ongoing labor crisis. Many industries—especially hospitality, agriculture, and construction—are struggling to fill positions after Florida implemented strict immigration laws that led to an exodus of undocumented workers.

Governor Ron DeSantis has championed the bill, arguing that young Americans should take on jobs once held by immigrants.

“Why do we say we need to import foreigners—even illegally—when teenagers used to work these jobs? College students should be able to do this stuff,” DeSantis said last week in a discussion with border czar Tom Homan, as reported by the Tampa Bay Times.

Florida’s Immigration Crackdown and Its Economic Impact

In 2023, Florida enacted a law requiring businesses with over 25 employees to verify worker immigration status using E-Verify, a federal database. Employers who fail to comply face fines of $1,000 per day until they prove their workforce is legally authorized to work in the U.S.

The result? A mass exodus of undocumented workers from industries like agriculture, tourism, and construction, leading to:

Severe labor shortages, especially in low-wage jobs.
Rising costs for businesses, as employers struggle to find workers.
Inflation concerns, with potential price hikes due to supply chain disruptions.

While DeSantis and Republican lawmakers argue that young Floridians should step in to fill the gaps, economists warn the move could have unintended consequences, such as higher dropout rates, workplace exploitation, and safety risks for teen workers.

Child Labor Violations Are on the Rise

Florida has already been loosening child labor laws for years. In 2023, the state removed work-hour limits for home-schooled 16- and 17-year-olds, allowing them to work without restrictions.

However, data from the U.S. Department of Labor shows that:

Child labor violations in Florida have nearly tripled in recent years.
Industries like fast food, retail, and construction have seen the biggest increase in illegal child labor practices.

Critics argue that expanding work opportunities for teens without strong protections could lead to more workplace injuries, exploitation, and lower academic performance.

What Happens Next?

The bill is set to be debated by the Republican-led Florida legislature in the coming weeks. If passed, Florida would join other states like Arkansas and Iowa, which have recently weakened child labor laws to address labor shortages.

With growing opposition from child welfare advocates, labor unions, and education groups, the fight over Florida’s labor policies is just beginning. Will the state move forward with making teenagers the solution to its labor crisis, or will public backlash force lawmakers to reconsider?

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