
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, February 6, 1991                   TAG: 9102060096
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV2   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: Joan Munford
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

CHILD LABOR LAW CHANGES ARE NEEDED

When I became the chairwoman of the Committee on Labor and Commerce, I learned that the state's labor laws affecting children were sadly out of date.

The teen-age labor force has changed substantially, with more and more young people seeking employment. This has created potential conflicts with schools, safety and the state's responsibility toward children.

I appointed and headed a child-labor study committee made up of members of House and Senate labor committees. It spent the past year investigating current laws and child-labor needs. The differences between Virginia law and federal regulations were particularly significant, creating some very real legal obstacles.

The study committee held hearings across the state to determine each region's specific concerns. In Blacksburg, we learned about the plight of the family farm as well as the lack of data on child labor.

The bill resulting from the committee's investigation addresses several concerns, including setting guidelines for agricultural work, length of a work day and week, and safety in dealing with hazardous work or exposure to hazardous materials.

A great deal of debate dealt with allowing children of migrant workers to be with their parents in the fields. One side was concerned about the hard physical work, exposure to severe weather and time away from school. The workers themselves argued for the need to have their children with them rather than leaving them unattended. In the end, the committee opted to continue to allow children to remain in the fields with their parents.

Another concern centered on students spending so much time at work that they neglected school work and their health. The committee proposed changing the current law, which now allows 14- and 15-year-olds to work a 40-hour week.

The proposed legislation would limit these teen-agers to working an 18-hour week during the school year, with no more than three hours of work on a school day.

The bill does not address those 16 and older, since federal laws do not regulate hours for 16-year-olds. It is always difficult for states to enact laws that differ substantially from federal law.

Finally, the committee looked at occupations in which children might be exposed to dangerous substances. The law clearly specifies chemicals and substances that are considered hazardous. The new law strengthens punishment and the fine (from $250 to $1,000) for any employer who might put a child in jeopardy.

The bill passed the House with no opposition and is now before the Senate. The legislative process is a long one and often involves amendments along the way, but the committee did its homework and has a good foundation for its recommendations.

I am confident we will emerge in 1991 with a streamlined and equitable set of guidelines for employing young people in Virginia.

Keywords:
GENERAL ASSEMBLY

by CNB