Hunter
07/02/24
Governor Kim Reynolds sent a letter to the federal Department of Labor’s Acting Secretary Julie Su about Iowa businesses being fined for violating federal child labor laws, which are more restrictive than the ones passed by the state in 2023, saying the Fed should change the laws to Iowa’s example.
In the letter, the governor says her office has received multiple reports of small business owners being subjected to investigations and excessive penalties by the Department of Labor for employing teenagers until 9pm on school days or 11pm on non-school days, as permitted by Iowa law.
Reynolds states that over 25 states currently have labor laws that are less restrictive than federal law, and claims that those states have not been subjected to the same level of enforcement and excessive fines as Iowa.
In the letter, Reynolds pointed out that high school student athletes sometimes are at school as early as 6am for preschool workouts, and participate in games well past 7pm. She said the physical, mental and social benefits of participating in sports can be equally beneficial for working school kids.
The governor requested reconsideration or renegotiation of the fines levied against the small businesses of Iowa who she says are facing closure due to the excessive fines.
In a separate open letter to Iowans, Reynolds said that Iowa’s allowable work hours for young teens have been above the federal maximum for more than 50 years without being singled out as she claims the Department of Labor is doing now. She said, “a couple extra hours of work for kids who choose to have a job are much more likely to help than hurt them.
The Governor is calling on the Department of Labor to look to Iowa as an example of how to revamp the federal standards. A separate letter prepared by U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson’s office and signed by her and the other five members of Iowa’s congressional delegation calls on the Department of Labor to, quote, “assess their own regulations to determine whether they are aligned with our modern work world, support our young workers, meet employers’ needs and sustain a strong American economy.”