A Democratic bill with 24 Democratic cosponsors · See all 24 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The "CHILD Labor Act" aims to increase protections against child labor violations in the United States. It updates the definition of oppressive child labor and expands the Secretary of Labor's authority to issue regulations, stop work orders, and tag illegally manufactured goods. The bill introduces higher civil and criminal penalties, as well as compensatory and punitive damages for victims. It also mandates child labor requirements for federal contractors and recipients of federal financial assistance. Additionally, it requires annual reports to Congress regarding work-related injuries, illnesses, and deaths.
Yes· 3 of 9
- Scored +10
Would children be better off under this?
Strongly increases protections against oppressive child labor and provides high damages for victims.
- Scored +6
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
Provides legal and financial recourse for child victims who are often from low-income backgrounds.
- Scored +6
Would students be better off under this?
Protects students from employment that interferes with their schooling.
The opposite· 3 of 4
- Scored -7
Would business owners be better off under this?
Imposes severe civil and criminal penalties and expands liability to successors and prime contractors.
- Scored -4
Does this make it easier to run a small business?
Increases compliance burdens and introduces significant financial liabilities for successors and contractors.
- Scored -3
Would farmers be better off under this?
Agricultural operations often utilize youth labor and may face higher compliance costs and penalties.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Financial Recovery for Victims: Victims of child labor violations can receive compensatory damages of at least $75,000, which increases to $750,000 for violations causing death or serious injury, plus potential punitive damages of at least $1,000,000 (Section 103(c) and (f)).
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Stronger Deterrents Against Abuse: The bill raises civil penalties to $160,350 per employee and $728,760 for violations causing death or serious injury, with the possibility of doubling these amounts for willful or repeated violations (Section 103(a)).
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Enhanced Public Awareness: The Secretary of Labor can place "Unlawfully manufactured; child labor" tags on goods produced in violation of the law, informing consumers about the origin of the products (Section 102(c)).
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Improved Safety and Prevention: The bill establishes programs for education and training to help professionals identify and prevent oppressive child labor and support victims (Section 104).
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Stricter Federal Standards: Federal contractors and recipients of financial assistance must ensure no one under 16 is employed and that those 16 or 17 are not engaged in oppressive child labor (Section 201 and 202(b)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Financial Burdens on Workers During Stop Work Orders: If a stop work order is issued, the employer must compensate the worker at their regular rate for hours they would have worked, but the bill designates violations of this payment as unpaid minimum wages or overtime (Section 102(e)).
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Liability for Successors: New owners or "successors in interest" can be held jointly and severally liable for child labor violations committed by the previous employer, even if they were not the ones who committed the act (Section 102(d) and 201(b)).
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Strict Requirements for Prime Contractors: Businesses that use subcontractors may be held liable for oppressive child labor unless they can prove they acted in good faith, relied on written assurances, and took "meaningful and affirmative steps" to ensure compliance (Section 102(a) and 202(b)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would children be better off under this? — Strongly increases protections against oppressive child labor and provides high damages for victims. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Provides legal and financial recourse for child victims who are often from low-income backgrounds. Would students be better off under this? — Protects students from employment that interferes with their schooling. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — Increases protections for 16 and 17-year-olds in hazardous occupations. Would immigrants be better off under this? — Child labor violations often affect immigrant populations; stronger protections benefit these vulnerable workers. Would business owners be better off under this? — Imposes severe civil and criminal penalties and expands liability to successors and prime contractors. Would farmers be better off under this? — Agricultural operations often utilize youth labor and may face higher compliance costs and penalties.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — Significantly expands the Secretary of Labor's authority to issue regulations and stop work orders. Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — Mandates annual public reports to Congress on work-related injuries and deaths. Does this leave more decisions to the states? — Establishes federal standards that may override or supersede less stringent state child labor rules.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — Provides significant compensatory damages to victims of child labor violations.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices? — Provides transparency through 'Unlawfully Manufactured; Child Labor' tags on products. Does this make it easier to run a small business? — Increases compliance burdens and introduces significant financial liabilities for successors and contractors.
- 8/24/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/13/2026
- 6 Cosponsors added.
- 6/30/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/29/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/23/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/18/2026
- Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 14 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
3 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Alma AdamsDemocrat · North Carolina
André CarsonDemocrat · Indiana
Judy ChuDemocrat · California
Jasmine CrockettDemocrat · Texas
Greg CasarDemocrat · Texas
Danny DavisDemocrat · Illinois
Mark DeSaulnierDemocrat · California
Jesús GarcíaDemocrat · Illinois
Daniel GoldmanDemocrat · New York
Adelita GrijalvaDemocrat · Arizona
Zoe LofgrenDemocrat · California
James McGovernDemocrat · Massachusetts
Seth MagazinerDemocrat · Rhode Island
Eleanor NortonDemocrat · District of Columbia
Mark PocanDemocrat · Wisconsin
Janice SchakowskyDemocrat · Illinois
Linda SánchezDemocrat · California
Melanie StansburyDemocrat · New Mexico
Hillary ScholtenDemocrat · Michigan
Lateefah SimonDemocrat · California
Jill TokudaDemocrat · Hawaii
Shri ThanedarDemocrat · Michigan
Lauren UnderwoodDemocrat · Illinois
Frederica WilsonDemocrat · Florida