DOL Leaders Say Iowa Child Labor Bill Would Violate Federal Law

Top enforcement officials at the US Labor Department say that Iowa’s plans to relax limits on where and when kids can work would violate federal labor law, putting Iowa employers on notice as the bill awaits the governor’s signature.

“The proposed Iowa legislation appears to be inconsistent with federal child labor law in several respects,” Solicitor of Labor Seema Nanda and Wage and Hour Division Principal Deputy Administrator Jessica Looman wrote in response to a letter from Iowa state lawmakers about the changes to child work rules being considered in the legislature.

While the law hasn’t yet been signed by ...