Michigan Senate passes bills to crack down on child labor violations

Three bills advancing in the state Legislature would increase penalties and fines for Michigan businesses who illegally employ minors or put them in unsafe working conditions. 

MICHIGAN—Three bills approved last week in the state Senate aim to prioritize the safety of Michigan’s younger workforce through key legislative reforms to the state’s child labor laws—namely by increasing the penalties for businesses caught illegally employing minors.

Senate Bills 963, 964, and 965 were approved by Democrats during a 20-18 vote in the state Senate on Thursday and are now under consideration by the state House of Representatives.

In addition to increasing penalties for employers who violate the Michigan Youth Employment Standards Act, the legislation would also require all minors and their employers to register with the state Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO)—namely to ensure all Michigan businesses who employ kids are actively abiding by the state’s youth employment standards.

“Employment opportunities for young Michiganders are a valuable way to gain employment experience, develop life skills and earn a paycheck. These opportunities should not, however, come at the cost of the health and safety—or, in the worst cases, the lives— of our youth workers,” State Sen. Sylvia Santana (D-Detroit) said in a statement after the bills passed. 

The legislation was inspired, in part, by a bombshell New York Times article published last year that detailed the exploitation of migrant child workers—including reports of a number of children who had been working illegally inside at least three factories in the Grand Rapids area.

And while Congressional leaders from Michigan continue to push Republicans in the US House of Representatives to help crack down on unchecked child labor violations nationwide, state lawmakers aren’t waiting around for federal action to protect minors in the workplace.

“Young Michiganders should be able to start their careers without compromising their safety or being taken advantage of. It’s our responsibility to ensure they’re protected and that no workplace places profit over the well-being of our youth,” state Sen. Darrin Camilleri (D-Trenton) said in a statement last week. “These bills are a clear message: Michigan stands against the exploitation of young workers and upholds their right to safe, fair treatment on the job.” 

More specifically, the bills would increase criminal penalties for employers who break the law—starting with a first-offense maximum penalty of one year in jail and a fine of up to $5,000. Second and third offenses would be considered felonies, with a maximum punishment of either five or ten years in prison, respectively, along with state fines up to $25,000 or $50,000. 

Even harsher penalties—including a 20-year prison sentence and a fine of up to $500,000—would also be available for prosecutors to levy in severe cases where a minor is killed or severely injured while working in violation of the state’s child labor standards.

In a press release, the bill sponsors—which also include state Sen. Mary Cavanagh (D-Redford)—said passing the bills marks a “firm step” toward protecting kids in the workplace and ensuring that recently exposed child labor law violations do not continue in Michigan.

“Nowhere in our state should we have children exploited for economic gain,” Cavanagh said. “By strengthening our child labor laws and ensuring businesses who seek to violate them face justice, we are making clear the health and safety of our children comes before a profit margin.”

Under the bills, state regulators could also grant certain exceptions to child labor rules—like the number of hours a kid can work during the week—but their parents or guardians will have the final say on whether any of those state standards are lifted, according to state lawmakers. 

READ MORE: Michigan Dems urge Congress to get serious about child labor violations

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