We have received text from S. 5414: Stop Child Labor Act. This bill was received on 2026-09-16, and currently has 1 cosponsor.
Here is a short summary of the bill:
This bill would change federal child labor law in several ways. Its main purpose is to increase penalties for violations, create more support for employers to avoid violations, and set up a new advisory committee to study and recommend improvements.
Higher penalties for child labor violations
The bill would strengthen the consequences for employers who violate federal child labor rules under the Fair Labor Standards Act.
- Private lawsuits would be expanded: workers affected by child labor violations could seek compensatory damages and punitive damages of up to $250,000 per employee. This would apply to violations of the child labor provisions in Sections 12 and 13(c) of the law.
- Limits on private lawsuits: if the U.S. Secretary of Labor files a lawsuit first seeking legal or equitable relief for the same child labor violations, then employees would no longer be able to bring or join private actions for those violations.
- Civil penalties would increase: the bill would raise federal civil penalty ranges for child labor violations. It would set minimum and maximum penalty amounts instead of the current fixed amounts, with higher ceilings for more serious violations.
- Annual inflation adjustments: the new civil penalty amounts would increase each year starting in fiscal year 2027 based on the Consumer Price Index.
- Criminal penalties would be added for repeat or willful violations: a person who repeatedly or willfully violates a child labor-related provision could be fined up to $50,000, imprisoned for up to one year, or both.
- Applies only to future conduct: these penalty changes would apply only to violations alleged to have occurred on or after the date the bill is enacted.
Grants to help prevent violations
The bill would let the Secretary of Labor award grants to eligible organizations to help employers understand and avoid child labor violations. The grants could support education, training, and systems development aimed at prevention.
Organizations that could receive grants include:
- 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations
- Nonprofit trade, industry, or employer associations
- Labor-management partnerships
- Labor organizations
National Advisory Committee on Child Labor
The bill would create a new 12-member National Advisory Committee on Child Labor. The committee would include representatives of management, labor organizations, the public, and child welfare professionals, with appointments made by the Secretaries of Labor and Health and Human Services.
The committee would:
- Advise the Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of Health and Human Services
- Make recommendations about recognizing, avoiding, preventing, and enforcing child labor rules
- Meet at least twice a year
- Serve 2-year terms
The bill would allow committee members to be paid, cover travel costs, and permit staff hiring and temporary services. It would also authorize $3 million for fiscal year 2027 to fund the committee.
Relevant Companies
None found
Senator Brian Schatz Bill Proposals
Here are some bills which have recently been proposed by Senator Brian Schatz:
- S.5664: A bill to provide for the retraining and support of workers displaced by automation technologies or artificial intelligence, to require Federal action during periods of elevated unemployment, and for other purposes.
- S.5614: A bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to direct the Secretary of Education to issue guidance and recommendations for institutions of higher education on removing criminal and juvenile justice questions from their application for admissions process.
- S.5537: A bill to authorize grants for emotional support services for incarcerated victims of sexual abuse, and for other purposes.
- S.5482: A bill to amend title 18, United States Code, to establish an Office of Prison Education, and for other purposes.
- S.5414: Stop Child Labor Act
- S.5403: Debt-Free College Act of 2026
You can track bills proposed by Senator Brian Schatz on Quiver Quantitative's politician page for Schatz.
Senator Brian Schatz Net Worth
Quiver Quantitative estimates that Senator Brian Schatz is worth $4.8M, as of October 1st, 2026. This is the 175th highest net worth in Congress, per our live estimates.
Schatz has approximately $0 invested in publicly traded assets which Quiver is able to track live.
You can track Senator Brian Schatz's net worth on Quiver Quantitative's politician page for Schatz.
2028 Hawaii US Senate Election
There has been approximately $2,422,370 of spending in Hawaii US Senate elections over the last two years, per our estimates.
You can track this election on our matchup page for the 2028 Hawaii US Senate election.
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