Kansas 2023-2024 Regular Session

Kansas Senate Bill SB559

Introduced
4/1/24  
Refer
4/2/24  

Caption

Preserving child labor protections by requiring a legislative review process when considering bills proposing to reduce or eliminate child labor protections, providing that the joint committee on administrative rules and regulations review such bills and that the secretary of labor provide a report to the legislature to assist the legislature’s consideration of such bills.

Impact

One of the primary impacts of SB 559 is that it necessitates legislative action for any proposed changes to child labor laws, including modifications to working hours, types of work permissible, and age limits. This process includes a requirement for reports from the Secretary of Labor, which must consider the potential harm to children and families while balancing the need for labor opportunities and apprenticeships that benefit personal development. The overarching aim is to create a unified approach that prioritizes child welfare across the state while evaluating the economic impacts on families.

Summary

Senate Bill 559 aims to establish a formal legislative review process for any proposal aiming to reduce or eliminate existing child labor protections in Kansas. The intent of the bill is to safeguard the welfare of children by requiring thorough evaluations of the potential impacts before any changes to labor laws can be enacted. Specifically, the bill outlines specific criteria under which proposals related to child labor would be assessed to ensure that children's safety, education, and overall quality of life are not compromised.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding SB 559 include concerns regarding the balance between opportunities for youth employment and the risks associated with reducing labor protections. Proponents of the bill argue that legislative oversight is essential to prevent exploitation and ensure that any adjustments to child labor laws serve the interests of children and families, rather than solely the economic interests of businesses. Critics may view the review requirement as a potential hindrance to economic development or argue that it may stifle flexible opportunities for young workers, raising questions about achieving an optimal balance between regulation and employment flexibility.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

KS HB2818

Providing for a legislative review process and criteria when considering bills that propose new or additional occupational regulation, requiring the joint committee on administrative rules and regulations to review such bills and authorizing the joint committee to direct regulatory entities or to contract with a consulting firm to provide a report to the legislature to inform the legislature's consideration of such bill.

KS AB1301

Labor Code: protections, obligations, and prohibitions: Legislature.

KS SB229

Providing for occupational licensing annual reports to the joint committee on administrative rules and regulations and requiring that adoption of new occupational licenses and material changes to existing occupational licenses by a state agency be approved by joint resolution of the legislature.

KS A1474

Provides certain protections and rights for temporary laborers.

KS S511

Provides certain protections and rights for temporary laborers.

KS SB30

Requiring that adoption of new occupational licensing requirements and material changes to existing occupational licenses by a state agency be approved by joint resolution of the legislature unless otherwise ratified by the legislature by the enactment of a bill and providing for notice to agencies and the legislature and a procedure for legislative review of such occupational licensing requirements.

KS SB164

Providing for regulation of the meat packing and food processing industry by creating facility health and safety committees in the workplace; establishing the industry workers' rights coordinator within the Department of Labor and Industry; and providing for public health emergency protections for workers.

KS SB18

Bill of Rights for the Children and Youth of California: joint legislative committee.

KS HB2132

Substitute for HB2132 by Committee on Child Welfare and Foster Care - Modifying the definition of neglect in the revised Kansas code for care of children, prohibiting the removal of a child from such child's home due solely to a lack of financial resources, requiring that facts of serious harm demonstrate more than one fact of certain listed facts, determining when a law enforcement officer may or shall take a child into custody and requiring the secretary for children and families to provide means for a law enforcement officer to refer potential cases of abuse or neglect and provide a response to such referrals.

KS SB149

Requiring that a haircare plan is part of the case plan for a child in custody of the secretary for children and family services and requiring the secretary to offer training on culturally competent haircare to caregivers.

Similar Bills

MS HB429

Children's Resource Commission; create to coordinate and streamline the state's efforts to provide services to children.

MS HB1407

Children's Resource Commission; create to coordinate and streamline the state's efforts to provide services to children.

MS HB1327

Children's Advocacy Commission; create to coordinate and streamline the state's efforts to provide services to children.

MS HB30

Children's Advocacy Commission; create to coordinate and streamline the state's efforts to provide services to children.

MS HB379

Children's Advocacy Commission; create to coordinate and streamline the state's efforts to provide services to children.

MS HB314

Children's Resource Commission; create to coordinate and streamline the state's efforts to provide services to children.

PA HB2175

Establishing the Office of Child Advocate; and imposing penalties.

CT HB06900

An Act Concerning The Transforming Children's Behavioral Health Policy And Planning Committee.