Further providing for administration and for penalties.
Impact
The proposed changes in HB 1714 could significantly alter the enforcement landscape surrounding child labor laws in Pennsylvania. By requiring annual reporting on various metrics, the bill aims to ensure greater transparency and accountability from the Department of Labor and Industry. The focus on unaccompanied alien minors indicates an intent to assert stricter oversight in areas where children and minors are disproportionately affected, which could lead to stronger protection measures and consequences for noncompliance.
Summary
House Bill 1714 seeks to amend Pennsylvania's Child Labor Act by enhancing the administration of the existing regulations and introducing new penalties for violations. The bill mandates that the Department of Labor and Industry will provide annual reports to the General Assembly on its enforcement activities, including the number of complaints and investigations. Additionally, it aims to incorporate specific provisions for addressing violations related to unaccompanied alien minors, which reflects a growing concern over the protection of vulnerable populations in the workforce.
Sentiment
General sentiment around HB 1714 appears to be cautiously optimistic among proponents who view the enhancements as necessary for better protection of minors in the workforce. However, there are concerns among some stakeholders regarding the feasibility of increased reporting requirements and whether they might distract from the core mission of the department. Critics may argue that without adequate resources, the implementation of these changes could be challenging.
Contention
Notable points of contention surrounding HB 1714 include the potential administrative burden that the increased reporting requirements might impose on the Department of Labor and Industry, as well as concerns around how these amendments will specifically address the issues facing unaccompanied alien minors in employment settings. There is also debate about whether the bill sufficiently addresses the broader issue of child labor protections or whether it merely adds layers of regulation without effectively improving the situation for vulnerable minors.
Further providing for definitions; providing for duty of department to report; further providing for civil remedies and penalties, for liquidated damages and for criminal penalties; providing for employer liability; and establishing the Wage Enforcement Fund.
Further providing for definitions; providing for duty of department to report; further providing for civil remedies and penalties, for liquidated damages and for criminal penalties; providing for employer liability; and establishing the Wage Enforcement Fund.
Further providing for definitions; providing for duty of department to report; further providing for civil remedies and penalties, for liquidated damages and for criminal penalties; providing for employer liability; and establishing the Wage Enforcement Fund.
Further providing for definitions; providing for duty of department to report and for investigations; further providing for civil remedies and penalties, for liquidated damages and for criminal penalties; providing for employer liability; and establishing the Wage Enforcement Fund.
Further providing for definitions; providing for training requirements for public lodging establishments and for training requirements for third-party listing platforms and rental operators; further providing for enforcement, for violation, for affirmative defenses, for administrative penalties and for criminal penalties; and imposing duties on the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency.
Further providing for definitions; providing for training regarding public lodging establishments and for training regarding third-party listing platforms; and further providing for enforcement, for violation, for affirmative defenses, for administrative penalties and for criminal penalties.
Further providing for definitions, for improper classification of employees and for criminal penalties; providing for private right of action; further providing for administrative penalties, for retaliation for action prohibited, for availability of information, for use of penalty funds and for funding; and imposing penalties.