Bill > S521

This bill proposes to support the ratification of the Federal Child Labor Constitutional Amendment originally proposed in 1924, which would give Congress the power to limit, regulate, and prohibit labor for persons under 18 years of age. The bill highlights that the amendment is still legally viable based on the Supreme Court case Coleman v. Miller, which confirmed that the amendment has no time limitation and remains under consideration. Currently, 28 states have ratified the amendment, and only 10 more states are needed for full ratification. The bill notes that Massachusetts originally voted against ratification in 1924, but suggests that the current social climate, which is more supportive of children's rights, might lead to a different outcome. The legislation acknowledges recent news coverage of potentially illegal and unsafe child labor practices and argues that a constitutional amendment could provide stronger protections than existing statutes. The bill also authorizes public education about the amendment through the Secretary of the Commonwealth, with the goal of informing voters about this potential constitutional change.

Government Affairs

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S521