time is money

DRIVERS INVOLVED WERE NOT SERIOUSLY INJURED. SWAFFORD IS SET TO HAVE AN INITIAL COURT APPEARANCE ON THURSDAY. CHILD LABOR VIOLATIONS ARE ON THE RISE IN ARKANSAS AND A NEW STUDY LINKS THE SURGE TO A RECENT CHANGE IN STATE LAW. 40/29’S LAKYRA BANKS US JOINS NOW TO BREAK DOWN THE STUDY AND HOW SOME ADVOCATES HOPE TO REVERSE THE TREND. IN 2023- STATE LAWMAKERS PASSED TWO MAJOR CHILD LABOR LAWS. ONE ADDED CRIMINAL PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS- BUT THE OTHER REMOVED A SAFEGUARD… SOMETHING ADVOCATES SAY- IS ADDING TO THE RISE IN VIOLATIONS. CHILD LABOR VIOLATIONS HAVE JUMPED MORE THAN 260% IN THE PAST THREE YEARS- ACCORDING TO A RECENT STUDY FROM ARKANSAS ADVOCATES FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES. “it’s been pretty dramatic with most of that growth happening.” MOST VIOLATIONS COME FROM TEENS WORKING MORE HOURS THAN ALLOWED UNDER STATE LAW- OR PERFORMING UNSAFE TASKS. “I think a lot of violations are occurring just because, lack of awareness, the laws and rules that are in place to protect young people” LAST YEAR- LAWMAKERS PASSED A LAW INTRODUCING CRIMINAL PENALTIES FOR CHILD LABOR. BUT EARLIER THAT YEAR- ANOTHER LAW- ACT 195- REMOVED THE REQUIREMENT FOR EMPLOYERS TO FILE EMPLOYMENT CERTIFICATES FOR WORKERS UNDER 16. “That positive change was preceded by a negative change. earlier in the session.” “That is a certificate that the parent or guardian signs that says, yes, I approve my child working at this organization doing this job.” THE REPORT ALSO POINTS TO WORKFORCE SHORTAGES AS A DRIVING FACTOR. “there are certain workforce pressures right now. you know, we maybe don’t have as many folks as we need. And certain, markets, labor markets and therefore hiring more and more young people.” BUT ADVOCATES SAY THIS MUST BE BALANCED WITH SAFETY. “It’s an investment in young people. Yes. Let’s invest in the part time jobs. They should work as teenagers. They get great experience. you know, they learn time management, lots of these good things. But we need to make sure they do it in a safe place.” TO HELP KEEP YOUNG WORKERS SAFE- THE A-A-C-F IS CALLING FOR THE RETURN OF EMPLOYMENT CERTIFICATES- WHISTLE BLOWER PROTECTIONS- AND INVESTIGATORS TO STOP VIOLATIONS