By Representative Jones of North Reading, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2135) of Bradley H. Jones, Jr. and others relative to minors engaged in the work of vlogging. Labor and Workforce Development.
By Representative Sangiolo of Newton (by request), a petition (accompanied by resolutions, House, No. 1986) of Alexander Jablon for the adoption of resolutions providing for the ratification of the child labor amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America. The Judiciary.
This bill amends Massachusetts child labor laws to close a loophole allowing minors to work in seafood processing. It removes the previous seasonal exemption for fish processing (Section 3) and explicitly prohibits child labor in seafood packing or processing facilities (Sections 1, 2, 4, 5). The bill significantly increases penalties for violations, raising fines from hundreds to up to $100,000 (Sections 6, 7, 9, 11) and adding jail time of up to six months. These changes directly affect minors working in seafood facilities and employers who violate child labor rules in this sector.
Massachusetts' HD 2690 is a resolution formally ratifying a 1924 constitutional amendment proposal concerning child labor. It corrects the state's 1925 rejection of the amendment, which would grant Congress authority to regulate labor for people under 18 and suspend conflicting state laws. The resolution directs the Secretary of the Commonwealth to send certified copies to federal officials and state legislatures still needing to ratify the amendment. This is a procedural step to advance the amendment's path to constitutional adoption, not a new law affecting current child labor regulations.
By Mr. Montigny, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1196) of Mark C. Montigny and Christopher Hendricks for legislation to prevent child labor exploitation and trafficking by increasing fines and penalties. The Judiciary.
This bill establishes a special minimum wage for workers under 18 who need a work permit and work 20 hours or less per week. During their first 120 hours with a new employer (a "training period"), these young workers must receive at least $10 per hour, even if it's below the standard minimum wage. The provision exempts them from regular minimum wage requirements only for this initial training period. It directly affects minor workers in entry-level, part-time positions requiring work permits.
By Mr. Lewis (by request), a petition (accompanied by resolve, Senate, No. 521) of Vincent Dixon, for legislation to support ratification of Federal Child Labor Constitutional Amendment. Election Laws.
By Representative Hendricks of New Bedford, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1744) of Christopher Hendricks, Mark C. Montigny and Antonio F. D. Cabral for legislation to prevent child labor exploitation and trafficking. The Judiciary.
This bill (HD 2914) strengthens child labor protections in Massachusetts by explicitly prohibiting minors from working in seafood packing or processing facilities, closing a previous exemption that allowed some child labor during summer months. It removes the prior exception permitting child labor in "fish processing" during June-October and adds seafood facilities to multiple existing prohibitions. Key changes include raising fines for violations from $500 to $20,000 for first offenses and $5,000 to $100,000 for repeat offenses, with penalties now running concurrently with other remedies. The bill directly affects employers in the seafood processing industry by expanding prohibited work settings and significantly increasing financial penalties for noncompliance.
Massachusetts' HD 684 is a resolution formally ratifying a proposed constitutional amendment that would grant Congress authority to regulate child labor for individuals under 18 years old. The amendment, passed by Congress, would allow federal laws to limit, regulate, or prohibit labor of minors and suspend conflicting state laws where necessary. This resolution is part of the constitutional amendment process, requiring ratification by 3/4 of state legislatures to become part of the U.S. Constitution. It does not create new federal law but enables future congressional action on child labor regulation.
