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119-s-5414119th CongressWALLET

Stop Child Labor Act

Sponsored By: Senator Schatz, Brian [D-HI]

Introduced

Summary

Strengthens enforcement and raises penalties to deter child labor violations. This bill would expand remedies for workers, boost civil and criminal penalties for employers, fund prevention grants, and create a permanent advisory body on child labor.

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  • Affected workers and youth would be able to recover compensatory and punitive damages, with punitive awards capped at $250,000 per employee, but they would lose the right to bring or join a lawsuit once the Secretary of Labor files a complaint over the same alleged violations.
  • Civil penalties would increase, with first-violation caps up to $132,270 and repeated or willful-violation caps up to $601,150, and those penalty amounts would be indexed to inflation starting in fiscal year 2027. The bill would also add criminal sanctions for repeated or willful breaches of the specific child labor prohibition, including fines up to $50,000 and up to 1 year in prison.
  • The Secretary of Labor could award grants to eligible nonprofits and labor groups to train employers and prevent violations. The bill would establish a 12-member permanent National Advisory Committee on Child Labor with authority to hire staff and set member pay tied to Executive Schedule rates, and it would authorize $3.0 million for fiscal year 2027.

*Would authorize $3.0 million in appropriations for fiscal year 2027 for the advisory committee, increasing federal outlays by at least that amount.*

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.

Stronger penalties for child labor violations

If enacted, civil fines for child labor violations would be much higher. First violations would carry penalties of not less than $5,000 and not more than $132,270. Repeated or willful violations would carry penalties of not less than $25,000 and not more than $601,150. Beginning in fiscal year 2027, those dollar amounts would be adjusted annually for inflation (CPI-U). The bill would also add a criminal penalty for repeated or willful violations with fines up to $50,000 and up to 1 year imprisonment upon conviction. These penalty changes would apply to violations alleged to have occurred on or after the bill's enactment.

Private lawsuits and damages for workers

If enacted, employees affected by child labor violations would be able to sue employers for compensatory damages and for punitive damages. Punitive damages would be limited to not more than $250,000 for each affected employee. If the Secretary of Labor files a complaint in a section 17 action seeking relief for the same alleged violations, employees could not bring or join a private suit. These rules would apply to violations alleged to have occurred on or after the bill's enactment.

National child labor advisory committee

If enacted, the bill would create a 12-member National Advisory Committee on Child Labor. The Labor and Health and Human Services secretaries would appoint members who serve two-year terms and meet at least twice a year. Non-federal members would be paid at a daily rate tied to Executive Schedule Level IV, the Chair could hire an executive director and staff (pay capped at Executive Schedule Level V), and the bill authorizes $3,000,000 for fiscal year 2027 to carry out the Committee.

Grants to prevent child labor

If enacted, the Secretary of Labor would be allowed to award grants to eligible nonprofits, trade or employer associations, labor-management partnerships, and labor organizations. Grants would fund education, training, and systems to help employers recognize, avoid, and prevent child labor violations. Grants are discretionary and the bill does not specify an overall funding amount.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Schatz, Brian [D-HI]

HI • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Young, Todd [R-IN]

    IN • R

    Sponsored 9/16/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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