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At a time when state legislatures across the country are weakening their child labor laws, House Bill 118 seeks to ensure that Pennsylvania employers are held accountable for exploiting children. PHOTO/GETTY IMAGES.
PA House approves tougher penalties for Child Labor Law violations
Ed Gruver//March 31, 2025//
Listen to this articleLegislation imposing stiffer penalties for violations of Pennsylvania‘s child labor laws has been approved by the PA House of Representatives.
House Bill 118, aimed at increasing the fines for businesses in violation of the state child labor law, was approved in the state House by a 117-85 vote. The legislation was introduced by state Rep. Regina Young, D-Phila./Delaware.
“Our highest duty as legislators should be to protect our most vulnerable people who are unable to protect themselves, especially our children,” Young said in a statement. “Child labor violations are still too common in our state, with too many employers chalking it up to ‘the cost of doing business.’ That is straight up exploitation and unacceptable as we should work to guide and mentor our young people toward gainful employment. These fines have remained unchanged for over a decade as violations increase, so it’s clear they are an insufficient disincentive.”
The bill now heads to the state Senate for consideration.
H.B. 118 comes at a time when state legislatures across the country are weakening their child labor laws. The bill seeks to ensure that Pennsylvania employers are held accountable for exploiting children by doubling the penalties for a first offense to $1,000, and $3,000 for each subsequent offense.
“Exploitation of children in any circumstance should be abhorrent to all Pennsylvanians,” said Young. “I’m hopeful that these doubled penalties will act as a stronger deterrent to the illegal employment of Pennsylvania’s children.”
