JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Florida lawmakers are reviewing Senate Bill 918, which proposes to roll back restrictions for minors aged 16 and 17 in the workplace.
The bill aims to allow teens to work overnight and exceed 30 hours a week during the school year. Additionally, it seeks to eliminate the requirement for a 30-minute break after four continuous hours of work.
During a Commerce and Tourism Committee meeting Tuesday morning, State Senator Jay Collins, the bill’s sponsor, argued that the legislation aligns with federal law. He also said the bill is about parental rights even though “parental rights” are not mentioned in the legislation.
“We should let them say what’s best for their kids at 16 to 17 years old. That’s what we’re saying by this,” Collins said.
However, the bill faced significant opposition. Critics, including State Senator Carlos Guillermo Smith, expressed concerns that the legislation could lead to the exploitation of minors.
“There’s no text that says it’s the parent opting in to say that the employer can require this of the employee who is a minor,” said Smith. “I think we’re moving in the wrong direction with this bill by removing these guardrails to protect our children from exploitation.”
Smith also had concerns that this bill is potentially looking to address the labor shortage caused by anti-immigrant policies. He quoted Governor Ron DeSantis during discussion.
“‘Why do we say we need to import foreigners, even import them illegally, when you know, teenagers used to work at these resorts, college students should be able to do this stuff.’ So I just read a quote to you from Governor Ron DeSantis last week, saying the quiet part out loud.”
Most of the public comments during the meeting opposed the legislation, with only a few people who waived their right to speak supporting the bill.
Some speakers were concerned about the potential negative impacts on children’s education and well-being. Tsi Day Smyth from Voices of Florida warned that the bill could exacerbate chronic absenteeism among students.
“We’re looking at about 1 in 5 students being chronically absent already. We should be trying to fix this problem, not exacerbating it with these laws. This isn’t here to help anybody. There is already a program in place to help families that need it. This is going to disproportionately affect students that are growing up in poverty,” Smyth said.
State Senator Tracie Davis listed out concerns from people like Smyth, and also shared her own concerns.
“It’s truly hard to turn your back on and not acknowledge that there is something detrimentally wrong with what we’re doing here in this legislation,” said Davis. “I will not be able to support it, but Senator Collins, I hope you revert back to what is already there, or maybe have more conversations with stakeholders on this, because this is not something we should be moving forward on.”
Despite the pushback, Collins maintained that the bill is about giving parents the authority to make decisions for their children.
“I have two children, and they both move differently, and I’m going to do what’s best for them, because one learns far differently than the other, but that’s a parent’s choice. Is not the school’s choice, it is not the government’s choice,” he said. “That is my choice as their dad in concert with their mom, and that ultimately is what we’re talking about here.”
The bill passed the committee with a narrow 5-4 vote and, if it advances to a floor vote and is approved, it would take effect on July 1.
