The Florida Legislature has introduced SB 918, a bill that would reduce employment limitations for 16- and 17-year-olds. The bill has sparked an argument over the potential benefits of greater job possibilities vs. the risks of abuse and poor academic results.
SB 918 follows the passage of House Bill 49/Senate Bill 1596 in 2023, which significantly loosened child labor protections in Florida. According to a Florida Policy Institute report shared by the Florida Education Association (FEA), these legislative changes could affect thousands of student workers by expanding work hours and reducing employer restrictions. The report says that more than 30,000 working minors in Florida could be impacted by changes to child labor laws, raising concerns about the potential for increased workplace injuries, academic struggles and long-term economic consequences for young workers.
Labor unions and worker advocacy groups have voiced strong concerns about SB 918’s potential impact. Rich Templin, communications director for the Florida AFL-CIO, emphasized that the bill could leave young workers vulnerable to exploitation.
“Right now, Florida law goes above and beyond federal law to protect 16- and 17-year-old workers. That has been a bipartisan move for decades because, at one time, Florida was a location of a lot of abuse of workers in this age bracket,” Templin said. “These protections ensure that 16- and 17-year-olds can’t be required to work late on a school night, super early on a school day, or above a weekly threshold.”
If SB 918 is passed, these restrictions would be lifted, allowing employers to require minors to work late into the night or early in the morning, even on school days. Templin pointed out that under current law, a restaurant manager cannot force a student worker to stay past closing on a Wednesday night. However, if SB 918 passes, “that 16-year-old could now be penalized or fired if they say, ‘No, I’ve got to study. I’ve got to sleep. I’ve got class early in the morning.’”
The push for SB 918 comes at a time when businesses in Florida, particularly in the service and tourism industries, are struggling with labor shortages.
Beyond the workforce implications, education advocates worry about the bill’s impact on student performance and well-being. The Florida Education Association (FEA) has been closely monitoring the legislative shift in child labor laws, particularly how expanded work hours may affect students.
The FEA avoided making direct statements on the matter. Nevertheless, its press office released a report from the Florida Policy Institute that examines the far-reaching implications of weakening child labor laws.
The report suggests that permitting minors to work longer hours, including overnight shifts, could result in higher dropout rates, lower academic performance and increased stress levels among student workers.
“Florida’s student workforce is already balancing jobs, school, and personal responsibilities,” the report says. “Expanding work hours could result in many struggling to keep up with academic demands, which in turn impacts graduation rates and future economic mobility.”
With the involvement of labor unions, education organizations and policymakers, the uncertain future of SB 918 hinges on its progress through the Florida Legislature. Will Florida’s child labor laws continue to decline, or will the opposition from advocacy groups prevent these changes?
For the time being, student workers, parents and educators will closely monitor the trajectory of Florida’s young workforce.
