Current Status of Child Labor Laws in Iowa

Child labor in the State of Lowa is guided by the Lower Code Chapter 92 and its rules. Chapter 92 of the constitution of the State of Lowa has existed since the time that the State of Lowa was established. There however rectifications that have been done and the most recent ones made in 2018. The modifications ant the child labor law in unison were made with a protective intention of the children of Lowa. Many organizations in the state would seek to employ children, and hence the law was created to ensure that the children are safeguarded from forced labor or engaging in work due to parent irresponsibility (“Child Labor | www.iowadivisionoflabor.gov,” 2019). The child labor law in the state of Lowa seeks to improve the way that children are handled by parents and organizations in their tender ages such that they are allowed to grow just like other children in the United States and that they are given a solid education till they attain the age of employment. 

Unlike in other states, the state of Lowa allows children above the age of 14 years to be employed. However for them to be employed there are procedures to follow. A print copy of the child labor permit has to be presented to the authorities where the details of the parent and the child are filled. The authorities then upon the information may decide whether to approve the request or not. The children are however required to still attend school till when they are 18 from where they can make decisions on whether to continue or quit school for work. As for working hours, the children are only required to work for four to five hours a day on school days and maximum 28 hours a week (“Child Labor | www.iowadivisionoflabor.gov,” 2019). The children are however required first to attend school and only attend to their duties after school. School is given priority above work, and hence a child is not allowed to work at the expense of going to school.

Even though children in the state are allowed to seek employment, there are reservations done on the actual places where children in the state may work. For instance, youths under the age of 16 may not sell liquor in a convenience store. Children who are above the age of 18, however, may sell liquor in convenience stores but may not sell or serve liquor in a place where on-premise drinking happens. As for tobacco, however, children under the age of 18 are allowed to sell and handle tobacco in tobacco premises (“Child Labor | www.iowadivisionoflabor.gov,” 2019). However, children are not allowed to work in any gambling environment such as in a casino. The reservation, however, does not limit children from working in other gambling premises related duties such as washing dishes. It rather only prevents the direct involvement of children in gambling. The law does not also permit children to operate power-driven machines arguing that their minds are still not yet matured to handle the complex nature of power-driven machines which could be dangerous to them. 

In conclusion, the law of the state of Lowa is one that allows employment of children who are above the age of 14. It is, however, a well-evaluated process before such children are allowed employment. The law is observing of the environments where the children are employed and only approves areas where the children may not be hurt or affected. It is, therefore, one of the most established child labor law in the United States. 

References

Child Labor | www.iowadivisionoflabor.gov. (2019). Retrieved from https://www.iowadivisionoflabor.gov/division/child-labor