Child Labor Violations Escalate as Republican States Weaken Protections
Child labor violations in the United States have surged fivefold over the last ten years, yet Republican legislators in multiple states are actively dismantling regulations designed to safeguard workers under the age of 18. This trend highlights a growing conflict between enforcement efforts and legislative rollbacks, with significant implications for minor workers nationwide.
State-Level Rollbacks Gain Momentum
In 2026, Republicans in Nebraska, Indiana, and West Virginia successfully enacted laws that reduce child labor protections. Similar legislation is pending in states including Florida, Missouri, and Virginia. These moves align with broader conservative goals outlined in Project 2025, a controversial blueprint by the Heritage Foundation thinktank, which aims to erode federal standards through state-level actions.
Since 2021, 30 states have proposed bills to roll back child labor protections, with 17 states having already implemented such measures. Nina Mast, a policy and economic analyst at the Economic Policy Institute, warns that weakening state standards is a strategic step toward undermining federal protections. "If federal standards are eroded, then they have nothing in place to protect minors from hazardous work, exploitative conditions, being over-scheduled, all these types of violations that we’re already seeing across the country," Mast emphasized.
Alarming Increase in Violations
Data reveals a stark rise in child labor infractions. The number of minors employed in violation of child labor laws jumped from 1,012 children in fiscal year 2015 to 5,272 in fiscal year 2025. Among these, hazardous occupations saw 773 children illegally employed in 2025, compared to 355 in 2015. Investigations by the Department of Labor have uncovered egregious cases, such as McDonald’s franchises in Pennsylvania fined for employing 101 children in excessive hours in 2022, and two 10-year-olds found working at Kentucky McDonald’s locations in 2023. In January 2025, meat processing giants Perdue and JBS USA settled after investigations revealed contractors were using minors in hazardous roles.
While the Biden administration increased enforcement in response to these violations, the Trump administration oversaw a drastic decline in workplace safety inspections. This included a 97% drop in wage and hour enforcement cases and a 35% reduction in health and safety enforcement cases, exacerbating the challenges in protecting young workers.
Specific State Actions and Criticisms
In Nebraska, Republican Governor Jim Pillen signed legislation in February 2026 that lowers the minimum wage for 14- and 15-year-olds from $15 to $13.50 per hour and caps annual increases at 1.5% starting in 2030. The bill also introduces a sub-minimum training wage of $13.50 per hour for 16- to 19-year-olds during their first 90 days of employment. Noel Tonniges, campaigns organizer at Nebraska Appleseed, criticized these carve-outs, noting that Nebraska’s unemployment rate is 3.0%, well below the national average of 4.4%, and labor force participation for young workers is higher than nationally. "Our lawmakers have clearly gone out of their way to say that they devalue this labor," Tonniges stated, arguing that such measures discourage youth from entering the workforce.
State Senator Megan Hunt, who opposed the Nebraska bill, condemned it as creating an "exploitation wage" for young workers, asserting that labor value should not be based on age.
In Indiana, Republican Governor Mike Braun signed a law in March 2026 that eliminates tracking of workers under 18, removing a database system implemented after work permits were abolished in 2020. The state has also extended working hours for teens and eliminated mandatory rest breaks. Reid Maki, director of Child Labor Advocacy, warned that this makes enforcement more difficult, citing a 2024 analysis showing states with youth work permits had fewer violations.
West Virginia passed HB 4005, which eliminates the list of hazardous occupations for workers under 18, following earlier legislation that ended work permit requirements. Seth DiStefano, senior policy outreach director at the West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy, labeled this the most significant rollback he has seen, arguing it creates a cheaper labor pool rather than apprenticeship opportunities. Bill author Ryan Browning disputed this, claiming the bill aligns state code with federal standards.
Broader Implications and Ongoing Battles
The concerted efforts to roll back child labor protections at the state level, coupled with the surge in violations, pose serious risks to minor workers. Advocates stress that without robust federal standards, minors are vulnerable to exploitation and hazardous conditions. As legislative battles continue, the focus remains on balancing economic interests with the fundamental need to protect young workers from abuse and unsafe practices in the labor market.
