Sixteen and 17-year-olds could work the same hours as adults under a bill approved by the Florida House of Representatives on Feb. 1, 2024. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
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The Florida House of Representatives passed legislation Thursday easing child labor restrictions to allow 16- and 17-year-olds to work the same hours as adults. Democrats tried several times to modify the proposal but were unsuccessful.
The measure comes as GOP-controlled state legislatures have moved to roll back child labor laws in industries such as food and roofing.
Under existing law, 16- and 17-year-olds can work up to eight hours per day and 30 hours a week. Employers have to provide them with breaks every four hours.
That would also change under HB 49 , which would hold teens to the same break standards as adults. But in Florida, there would be no legal requirements for breaks in the workplace.
Those 16- and 17-year-olds could work more than six days in a row if the bill becomes law. Republicans have pitched the move as an avenue to give children opportunities for career development.