On Monday, a Florida Senate committee will consider a contentious House bill that would loosen work restrictions for 16 and 17-year-olds.
On February 1, the House voted 80-35 to pass the bill (HB 49), which would lift a decades-long ban on 16- and 17-year-olds working more than eight hours when school is scheduled the next day. It would also lift a ban on 16- and 17-year-olds working more than 30 hours per week when school is in session.
SB 1596, a Senate version of the bill, has not moved since the Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee approved it on January 30.
Read: Florida Gov. DeSantis Slams Biden’s VA For Prioritizing Gender Ideology Over Veteran Care
However, the Senate Rules Committee is scheduled to consider the House bill on Monday, according to a calendar published Thursday.
House sponsor Linda Chaney, R-St. Pete Beach stated that the bill would allow teens to work up to 40 hours per week and that 24 other states have implemented similar measures.
The bill “simply creates opportunity and choice, most likely for those who are already working beyond 30 hours with a side hustle, working under the table through jobs with no benefits or protections,” Chaney said before the bill passed the House.
Read: Major Health Plan Heading To Florida Gov. DeSantis
However, Democrats claimed that the bill would jeopardize students’ education. They also stated that it is intended to use children to address labor shortages, including those affecting immigrant workers.
Help support the Tampa Free Press by making any small donation by clicking here.
Android Users, Click To Download The Tampa Free Press App And Never Miss A Story. Follow Us On Facebook and Twitter. Sign up for our free newsletter.