An act TO STRENGTHEN CHILD LABOR LAWS THROUGH THE 10 REINSTATEMENT OF EMPLOYMENT CERTIFICATES, the official text

Stricken language would be deleted from and underlined language would be added to present law.

1 State of Arkansas                     A Bill
2 95th General Assembly

3 Regular Session, 2025                                          HOUSE BILL 1731

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5 By: Representative Vaught

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8                            For An Act To Be Entitled

9   AN ACT TO STRENGTHEN CHILD LABOR LAWS THROUGH THE

10  REINSTATEMENT OF EMPLOYMENT CERTIFICATES; AND FOR

11  OTHER PURPOSES.

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14                                      Subtitle

15                       TO STRENGTHEN CHILD LABOR LAWS THROUGH

16                       THE REINSTATEMENT OF EMPLOYMENT

17                       CERTIFICATES.

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19 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ARKANSAS:

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21  SECTION 1. DO NOT CODIFY. Legislative findings and purpose.

22  (a) The General Assembly finds that:

23  (1) Teenage part-time work:

24                       (A) Teaches important lessons in:

25                           (i) Personal finance;

26                           (ii) Time management; and

27                           (iii) Confidence; and

28                       (B) Allows for important networking and career exploration

29 opportunities;

30  (2) The state has a responsibility to:

31                       (A) Protect children from hazardous work environments; and

32                       (B) Ensure that employment opportunities do not come at

33 the expense of a teenager's education;

34  (3) The Department of Labor and Licensing identified that, from

35 2020-2023, child labor violations increased by two hundred sixty-six percent

36 (266%) and financial penalties for child labor violations increased by six

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1 hundred percent (600%) for that same time period;

2   (4) When compared to surrounding states, Arkansas has some of

3 the highest numbers of child labor cases investigated for violations with

4 minors involved, as well as financial penalties assigned, according to the

5 data from the United States Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division;

6   (5) Recent national research has found a significant link

7 between employment certificate mandates and decreased child labor violations;

8   (6) Using United States Department of Labor 2008-2020 data,

9 researchers at the University of Maryland found that:

10  (A) On average, the prevalence rate of child labor

11 violation cases is fifteen and one-half percent (15.5%) lower in states that

12 mandate employment certificates as compared to states that do not; and

13  (B) The prevalence rate of minors involved in these cases

14 is thirty-five and two tenths percent (35.2%) lower on average in states with

15 employment certificate mandates;

16  (7) Employment certificates:

17  (A) Provide an educational touchpoint for employers,

18 minors, and parents;

19  (B) Enhance parental choice as parents or guardians must

20 sign off on their child's employment; and

21  (C) Do not create burdens on employers;

22  (8) Children under sixteen (16) years of age should be required

23 to obtain an employment certificate as a condition of employment; and

24  (9) The Division of Labor should require that a child under

25 sixteen (16) years of age verify his or her age through an employment

26 certificate as a condition of employment.

27  (b) The purpose of this act is to:

28  (1) Reinstate the requirement that children under sixteen (16)

29 years of age complete employment certificates; and

30  (2) Educate employers, children, and parents about employment

31 law for children under sixteen (16) years of age by completion of employment

32 certificates to ensure a safe and positive working environment for teenagers.

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34  SECTION 2. Arkansas Code Title 11, Chapter 6, Subchapter 1, is amended

35 to add an additional section to read as follows:

36  11-6-117. Children under 16 years of age -- Employment certificate

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1 required.

2       (a) A person, firm, or corporation shall not employ or permit a child

3 under sixteen (16) years of age to work in or in connection with an

4 establishment or occupation unless the person, firm, or corporation employing

5 the child procures and keeps on file, accessible to the Division of Labor and

6 the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education or local school officials,

7 an employment certificate as provided in this section.

8       (b)(1) The employment certificate shall be issued only by the Director

9 of the Division of Labor.

10           (2) Application for an employment certificate shall:

11           (A) Be made on a form approved by the director; and

12           (B) Require submission of the following:

13           (i) Proof of age;

14           (ii) A description of the work and work schedule;

15 and

16           (iii) Written consent of the parent or guardian.

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