Bill · S. 5414· Senate(119-S-5414)
Stop Child Labor Act
- Introduced
- 9/16/2026
- Last activity
- 9/16/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- Sponsored by
- Brian Schatz
- Cosponsors
- - 0 - 1
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill is titled the Stop Child Labor Act and amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938. It increases financial, civil, and criminal penalties for child labor law violations. The bill also establishes a grant program to help employers prevent child labor violations. Furthermore, it creates a National Advisory Committee on Child Labor to advise on recognition, avoidance, prevention, and enforcement matters.
Yes· 3 of 7
Would children be better off under this?+8
The bill significantly enhances protections, penalties, and enforcement mechanisms against illegal child labor.
Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this?+4
By strengthening child labor protections, the bill helps ensure fair labor standards for young workers transitioning into the workforce.
Does this make it easier to run a small business?+4
The bill establishes a grant program to help employers recognize, avoid, and prevent child labor law violations.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- Assistance for Employers: Section 3 allows the Secretary of Labor to award grants to eligible entities for education, training, and development of systems to help employers recognize, avoid, and prevent child labor violations. This could benefit employers by providing resources to ensure compliance with the law.
- Compensatory and Punitive Damages for Affected Employees: Section 2(a) amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to make employers who violate child labor provisions liable to affected employees for compensatory and punitive damages of not more than $250,000 for each employee. This provides a direct financial benefit and recourse for affected individuals.
- Establishment of Advisory Committee: Section 4 establishes the National Advisory Committee on Child Labor to advise, consult, and make recommendations on matters related to child labor violations. This could benefit the public by improving the prevention and enforcement of child labor laws.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Termination of Employee Private Actions: Section 2(a) states that an employee's right to bring an action or become a party plaintiff regarding child labor violations terminates upon the filing of a complaint by the Secretary in an action under section 17. This could negatively impact employees by removing their independent right to pursue legal action if the Secretary files a complaint first.
- Increased Penalties and Fines for Violations: Section 2(b) and Section 2(c) significantly increase civil penalties, criminal fines, and potential imprisonment terms for employers who violate child labor laws. While intended as a deterrent, these heavy financial burdens and criminal penalties could negatively impact businesses, potentially leading to closures or reduced employment opportunities.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Children+8Good For Young Adults+4Good For Low Income Households+3Good For Union Workers+3
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+3Improves Government Transparency+2
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Small Business Support+4
- 9/16/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
Todd YoungRepublican · Indiana