Easing work limitations for children on family farms

Posted: 02.25.2013 at 10:40 AM

JEFFERSON CITY, MO. (AP) -- Children younger than 16 could avoid future federal regulation and continue to work on their parent's farm under a bill scheduled for a vote this week in Missouri's Senate.

In 2012, the federal government proposed rules that would have prevented children from doing certain agricultural work. The plans were scrapped after opposition from lawmakers, but Missouri's Senate is looking to pass a law just in case.

The Senate measure would exempt children from getting a work certificate and from limitations on the number of hours and days they can work. Children would only need the consent of their parents to work on the family's farm.

The measure sponsored by Republican Sen. Brian Munzlinger, of Williamstown, received initial approval last week, but needs one more vote before moving to the House.

From the Missouri General Assembly website...

SB 16 - This act exempts farm work performed by children under the age of 16 from certain child labor requirements including: the obtaining of a work certificate; hours/days of performance; and certain prohibited hazardous jobs such as operating and maintaining power-driven machinery, climbing ladders, operating vehicles, and working with certain chemicals. This exemption only applies to children working on their own family farms and, when with the knowledge and consent of their parents, the family farms of others