Bill · S. 5662· Senate(119-S-5662)
CARE Act of 2026
- Introduced
- 9/30/2026
- Last activity
- 9/30/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- Sponsored by
- Ben Luján
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to strengthen child labor protections, particularly within the agricultural industry. It redefines oppressive child labor and revises age requirements for agricultural employment while repealing certain hand harvest labor waivers. The legislation significantly increases civil penalties for child labor violations and introduces special criminal penalties for aggravated violations causing serious injury, illness, or death. It also mandates federal data collection and annual reporting on work-related injuries to children. Additionally, employers are required to report serious injuries, illnesses, or deaths of child agricultural workers within five days.
Yes· 3 of 12
Would children be better off under this?+8
The bill significantly strengthens child labor protections, increases safety standards, and prohibits children under 18 from working as pesticide handlers.
Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this?+5
Minors and young workers under 18 receive enhanced workplace safety protections and stiffer penalties for employers who violate child labor laws.
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?+4
Low-income and immigrant families heavily reliant on agricultural labor benefit from stronger health and safety protections for their children.
The opposite
Would business owners be better off under this?-4
Agricultural employers face stricter regulations, higher civil penalties, new reporting burdens, and criminal liability for violations.
Would farmers be better off under this?-4
Farmers face increased regulatory burdens, strict reporting requirements, and heightened financial and criminal penalties for child labor violations.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Section 5 increases civil penalties for child labor violations, setting fines ranging from $500 to $15,000 per employee for standard violations, and between $15,000 and $60,115 for violations causing serious injury, illness, or death to a minor. This holds employers more accountable and provides a stronger financial deterrent against putting young workers in danger.
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Section 6 adds criminal penalties of up to five years in prison or fines for employers who repeatedly or willfully violate child labor laws resulting in the death, serious injury, or serious illness of a minor. This provision ensures that reckless officials face severe consequences for harming working children.
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Section 8 establishes strict employer reporting requirements, forcing employers to notify the Secretary within 5 days of any work-related serious injury, serious illness, or death of a child agricultural employee. This creates transparency and ensures government oversight when young workers are harmed.
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Section 9 requires the Secretary of Labor to prohibit the employment of any child under 18 from working as a pesticide handler. This protects children from dangerous chemical exposures that are detrimental to their health and well-being.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Section 4 revises age requirements and repeals waiver provisions for hand harvest labor, which removes certain employment opportunities that younger individuals and their families may have previously relied upon for income in agricultural settings.
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Section 8 imposes new reporting mandates on employers within 5 days of specific incidents, and failure to report can result in civil penalties ranging from $500 to $7,000 per violation. While this protects workers, the administrative burden could create challenges for small or family-run operations if they struggle to meet the strict reporting timelines.
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+5Good For Hispanic Americans+4Good For Immigrants+4Good For Low Income Households+4Good For Business Owners-4Good For Farmers-4
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+4Increases Federal Power+3
- Healthcare
- Improves Healthcare Access+2Increases Research Funding+2
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Consumer Protection+3
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Environmental Protections+3
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Racial Equity+3
- 9/30/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- Introduced in Senate