H.R.3545 - Teenagers Earning Everyday Necessary Skills Act; TEENS Act (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.3545, the TEENS Act, proposes amending the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to expand the permissible working hours for 14- to 16-year-olds during school sessions. The bill allows these employees to work up to 24 hours a week and until 9:00 p.m., provided they start no earlier than 7:00 a.m. This aims to provide teenagers with more opportunities to gain work experience and earn income.
The bill specifies that these extended hours should not be considered oppressive child labor under the Secretary's regulations if the conditions are met. The bill has been referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce for consideration.
The bill is sponsored by Mr. Johnson of South Dakota, Mr. Nehls, and Mr. Mann.
Expected Effects
If enacted, the TEENS Act would increase the number of hours that 14- to 16-year-olds can work during school weeks. This could lead to more job opportunities for teenagers and increased income for them and their families.
However, it could also lead to concerns about the impact on their education and well-being. The change could also affect local businesses by increasing the availability of teen labor.
Potential Benefits
- Provides teenagers with more opportunities to gain work experience.
- Allows teenagers to earn income to support themselves or their families.
- May help businesses fill entry-level positions.
- Could lead to increased economic activity in local communities.
- Offers flexibility for teenagers to balance work and school.
Potential Disadvantages
- May negatively impact academic performance due to increased work hours.
- Could lead to increased stress and fatigue for teenagers.
- May reduce time available for extracurricular activities and social development.
- Could potentially depress wages for other low-skilled workers.
- Raises concerns about potential exploitation of young workers.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill's constitutional alignment is primarily related to the power of Congress to regulate interstate commerce under Article I, Section 8. The Fair Labor Standards Act, which this bill amends, is based on this power. The bill does not appear to infringe on any specific individual rights or liberties protected by the Constitution or its amendments.
However, some might argue that excessive labor could indirectly affect the right to education, though this is not explicitly mentioned in the Constitution. The Tenth Amendment reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states, and states traditionally have had authority over education and child welfare.
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).