The CHILD Labor Act strengthens federal protections against child labor violations by significantly expanding restrictions on employing minors and increasing penalties for violations. The bill prohibits anyone under 18 from working in manufacturing, mining, meat processing, demolition, and explosives industries, while also giving the Department of Labor authority to declare additional occupations as hazardous for minors. The legislation applies to companies throughout supply chains, making businesses liable not just for their direct employees but also for child labor violations by contractors and subcontractors, though companies can use a "good faith defense" if they obtain written assurances and take affirmative steps to monitor compliance. Civil penalties for child labor violations increase substantially to $160,350 per affected child and up to $728,760 per violation causing death or serious injury, with penalties potentially doubled for repeated or willful violations. The bill also creates private rights of action allowing child victims to sue for at least $75,000 in compensatory damages (doubled for hazardous occupations) and potentially $1 million in punitive damages for violations causing death or serious injury. Additionally, the law extends these protections to federal contractors and recipients of federal financial assistance under major procurement statutes, and requires the Department of Labor to report annually to Congress on work-related injuries and deaths.
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