Children’s Act for Responsible Employment and Farm Safety of 2025; CARE Act of 2025
Summary
The Children’s Act for Responsible Employment and Farm Safety of 2025 (CARE Act of 2025) amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to strengthen child labor provisions, particularly in agriculture. It aims to protect children working in agriculture by revising age requirements, increasing penalties for violations, and mandating data collection and reporting of work-related injuries. The bill also addresses pesticide exposure and requires the Secretary of Labor to issue related rules and reports.
Expected Effects
The CARE Act of 2025 will likely reduce the number of children working in hazardous agricultural jobs and improve working conditions for those who do work. It will also increase employer accountability through stricter penalties and reporting requirements. The act will also provide more comprehensive data on child labor-related injuries and illnesses.
Potential Benefits
- Reduced risk of injury, illness, and death for child farmworkers.
- Improved educational opportunities for children by limiting work hours.
- Increased accountability for employers who violate child labor laws.
- Enhanced data collection and reporting on child labor-related incidents.
- Prohibition of children under 18 from handling pesticides.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential increased labor costs for agricultural businesses.
- Possible reduction in income for low-income families who rely on child labor.
- Increased regulatory burden on agricultural employers.
- Potential challenges in enforcing the new regulations, particularly in remote areas.
- Possible unintended consequences for family farms that rely on child labor.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The CARE Act of 2025 aligns with the Constitution's broad goals of promoting the general welfare, as stated in the Preamble. Congress has the power to regulate interstate commerce under Article I, Section 8, which allows them to regulate labor standards that affect the national economy. The Tenth Amendment reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states, but this act does not appear to infringe on state powers, especially given the explicit allowance for states to provide greater protections.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).