Republicans Amy Loudenbeck and Dale Kapenga to start Dismantling Child Labor Law in Wisconsin.

The Senate Committee on Public Benefits, Licensing and State-Federal Relations is preparing to discuss a bill that would weaken child labor law in Wisconsin. 

Senate Bill 11 and Assembly Bill 25, introduced by Rep. Amy Loudenbeck (R- Clinton) and Sen. Chris Kapenga (R-Delafield), will make it easier for businesses to use child labor without sign off by parents by completely eliminating the Department of Workforce Development (DWD) permit process currently required for children aged 16 and 17 entering the workforce. 

“This bill undermines parental rights by eliminating the requirement for moms and dads to approve their kid’s work schedule and other workplace conditions. Everyone who had a job during high school remembers how important a first job can be to teach young people responsibility and important life skills. The point is that parents should still have the right to sign off on their child’s work permit.”

If a child has no legal guardian available, a Department of Workforce Development officer can sign off on a work permit for the 16 or 17-year-old, which they do routinely.

A former liberal radio talk host who likes to ask the “follow-up question” at Democurmudgeon.blogspot.com