
Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders has signed a bill into law that loosens child labor laws in the state, the Daily Beast reported.
From the Daily Beast: The new law, dubbed the Youth Hiring Act of 2023, allows workplaces to hire children under the age of 16 without obtaining permission from the Division of Labor. Previously, minors under 16 needed employment certificates that verified their age, described the work they’d do, and included parental or guardian consent. The Republican governor has attempted to spin the law as removing a “burden” from parents who are sending their children to work.
According to critics, the new law is likely to make child labor violations increase. Arkansas Democratic Rep. Andrew Collins slammed the bill, saying it would “the risk that there will be abuses and violations of other child labor laws” by removing the need for parental consent.