Bill > H1744

This bill proposes several amendments to Massachusetts labor laws specifically targeting child labor protections in seafood packing and processing facilities. The bill adds seafood packing and processing facilities to existing labor law sections that restrict and regulate employment of minors, effectively placing these facilities under the same child labor protections as other workplaces like hospitals and mechanical establishments. Key changes include expanding prohibited work environments for minors by explicitly mentioning seafood facilities, removing previous seasonal exceptions for fish processing work, and significantly increasing financial penalties for labor law violations. The penalties for violations are dramatically raised, with fines increasing from as low as $500 to as high as $20,000 or $100,000, depending on the specific violation. The bill also stipulates that these new penalties can be imposed concurrently with other legal remedies, providing stronger enforcement mechanisms. Additionally, violators may now face increased potential imprisonment of up to 6 months, underscoring the legislative intent to seriously combat child labor exploitation, particularly in the seafood industry.

Justice

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H1744