The U.S. House of Representatives has approved legislation that would increase the maximum fine for violations of the child labor provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act.
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Download NowThe Child Protection Act of 2007 would raise from $11,000 to $50,000 the maximum fine for child labor violations that result in the death or serious injury of any employee under the age of 18. The legislation would also allow the Department of Labor to double the fine to $100,000 when the employer's violation is repeated or willful.
The legislation defines serious injury as the:
- Permanent loss or substantial impairment of one of the senses (sight, hearing, taste, smell, tactile sensation);
- Permanent loss or substantial impairment of the function of a bodily member, organ, or mental faculty, including the loss of all or part of an arm, leg, foot, hand or other body part; or
- Permanent paralysis or substantial impairment that causes loss of movement or mobility of an arm, leg, foot, hand or other body part.
The legislation moves to the Senate. The Bush administration has urged the Senate to approve the bill.