CARE Act

The Children's Act for Responsible Employment (CARE Act) proposes to strengthen federal child labor laws by eliminating current exemptions for the agricultural industry. Under this bill, the same age and safety requirements that apply to jobs in sectors like retail or manufacturing would also apply to farm work, raising the minimum age for hazardous agricultural tasks from 16 to 18.

For citizens and families, this legislation would mean that children working in agriculture would receive the same legal protections as those in other industries, with exceptions remaining for children working on their own family's farm. The bill also increases financial and criminal penalties for employers who violate child labor laws and establishes new requirements for reporting workplace injuries involving minors. Additionally, it directs the Department of Labor to more closely track where and how children are employed across the country to better monitor workplace safety.