New Iowa Law Could Expand “Dangerous” Jobs For Children

Iowa legislatures are in the process to change up the state's child labor laws.

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Everyone looks back fondly on their first "real" job, right? I started officially working at the age of fifteen as a camp counselor for my community's day camp. In my home state of Pennsylvania, children weren't allowed to start working officially until they were at least fourteen. At that point we still had to acquire a work permit.

Things are a bit different here in the Hawkeye State.

Kids in Iowa are also allowed to work starting at the age of fourteen. However, there are some stipulations.

According to the Iowa Division of Labor, 

Children 16 and 17 years old are prohibited from doing certain dangerous tasks and from certain dangerous occupations.

Children 14 and 15 years old have additional restrictions, there are limits on the time and hours they can work, and must have a permit.

The "dangerous tasks" section in this state regulation is currently on the state senate floor. Senate File 167 might be opening up more opportunities to teens who are itching to dive right into the work force.

A recent report said that currently, fourteen to seventeen year olds are currently allowed to work certain jobs like food service, clerical work, or bagging groceries at your local Hy-Vee. These teens are NOT permitted to work in or perform certain jobs such as:

• Meatpacking
• Slaughterhouses
• Mining
• Demolition work

This new bill would allow all teens that fall into this age group to be granted exceptions to this rule by Iowa state workforce and education officials. Such an exception would be granted in the instance that these higher risks jobs are,

"participating in work-based learning or a school or employer-administered, work-related program."

Also, the bill could shield businesses of any sort of liability in the event that something goes wrong, according to reports. 

The last action taken to push the legislation forward took place at the end of last month. It was sent to the Senate Workforce Committee.

We will keep you updated as this story develops or IF it even develops. Make sure to download the station app for more state news coverage. Also, don't forget to follow the station on social media to get up to the minute coverage about everything going on in your area.