1. United States
2. Ark.
3. Letter

I am writing to express my deep concern over the alarming rise in child labor law violations in Arkansas, as highlighted in the recent report from Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families. The report indicates a 266% increase in violations from fiscal years 2020 to 2023, with most cases involving excessive working hours for children under 16. The rollback of child labor protections under the Youth Hiring Act of 2023 has coincided with fewer investigations by the state Department of Labor and Licensing and a surge in violations. While I understand the desire to reduce regulatory burdens, the data strongly suggests that removing the employment certificate requirement has made it easier for businesses to exploit young workers. As a concerned citizen, I urge you to take immediate action to strengthen child labor protections in Arkansas, including: • Reinstating the employment certificate requirement to ensure transparency and accountability in youth hiring. • Increasing oversight and enforcement to prevent excessive working hours and unsafe conditions. • Holding employers accountable for violations, especially repeat offenders. Protecting Arkansas’ children should be a priority for all of us. While work can provide valuable experience, it should never come at the cost of a child’s education, health, or safety. I hope you will take a stand to ensure our labor laws protect the most vulnerable members of our workforce. I appreciate your time and look forward to your response on this urgent issue.