Justice for Exploited Children Act

Bill Number

H.R. 7002

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 2

Policy Area

Labor and Employment

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2026-01-09: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

Last Updated

2026-04-03T08:05:50Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The Justice for Exploited Children Act (H.R. 7002) aims to strengthen protections against child labor exploitation by increasing penalties under the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (FLSA). It targets violations involving minors under 18, particularly those that are repeated, willful, or result in serious injury or death, to deter employers from illegal child labor practices.

Key Provisions

• Criminal Penalties (Amendments to FLSA Section 16(a)):
• For repeated or willful violations of child labor prohibitions (FLSA Section 15(a)(4)): Fines up to $100,000, imprisonment up to 5 years, or both.
• For violations causing death or serious injury to an employee under 18:
• If willful: Fines up to $500,000, imprisonment up to 10 years, or both.
• If repeated, with both the current and prior violation causing death or serious injury: Same penalties as above.
• Civil Penalties (Amendments to FLSA Section 16(e)):
• General child labor violations: Minimum $1,000 to maximum $150,000 per violation; doubled if repeated or willful.
• Violations causing serious injury to an employee under 18: Minimum $25,000 to maximum $601,150 per violation (mandatory assessment).
• Violations causing death to an employee under 18: Minimum $50,000 to maximum $601,150 per violation; doubled if repeated or willful.
• Effective Date: Applies to violations occurring on or after the date of enactment.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Criminal Penalties: Previously, FLSA criminal penalties for child labor violations were limited to fines up to $10,000 and/or imprisonment up to 6 months for general willful violations. This bill introduces specific, harsher penalties (up to $500,000 fines and 10 years imprisonment) for child labor cases involving repetition, willfulness, injury, or death—expanding beyond the prior general framework.
• Civil Penalties: Raises minimums and maximums significantly (e.g., from a flat $11,000 to a range of $1,000–$150,000 for standard violations; adds a new death-specific tier). Makes assessments mandatory for injury cases (previously discretionary) and doubles penalties for repeated or willful acts, replacing capped amounts with broader ranges adjusted for inflation (up to $601,150).

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) and Department of Justice may see increased enforcement workload and resources needed for investigations and prosecutions, potentially leading to more civil and criminal cases. Higher penalties could generate additional revenue from fines.
• On Citizens: Provides stronger safeguards for child workers by deterring exploitative practices, especially in hazardous jobs. Families of injured or deceased minors may benefit from elevated civil penalties, though it does not directly create new rights to sue.
• On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, but could influence U.S. compliance with international labor standards (e.g., ILO conventions on child labor), enhancing the country's global stance against exploitation in supply chains involving foreign companies.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Employers and Businesses: Face higher financial and criminal risks for non-compliance, particularly in industries like agriculture, manufacturing, or retail where child labor violations have been reported.
• Child Workers and Their Families: Gain enhanced protections and potential recourse through stricter penalties, reducing risks of injury or death from illegal work.
• Government Entities: DOL for civil enforcement; federal prosecutors for criminal cases; potentially state labor agencies coordinating with federal efforts.
• Advocacy Groups: Organizations focused on child rights (e.g., those addressing migrant or low-wage worker exploitation) may support or monitor implementation.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal Implications: Bolsters FLSA enforcement by clarifying and escalating penalties for child labor (prohibited under Section 15(a)(4), which bans oppressive child employment). No new definitions of violations are added, so it builds on existing rules without broadening scope.
• Constitutional Implications: Aligns with Congress's authority under the Commerce Clause to regulate labor standards; no apparent conflicts with due process or free labor principles, as penalties target willful/repeated acts.
• Political Implications: Reflects bipartisan concern over rising child labor violations (e.g., in recent reports of exploitation in U.S. industries). Could spur debates on enforcement funding or state-federal overlaps, positioning it as a tool for addressing social issues like poverty-driven child work without altering minimum age or hour limits.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Scholten, Hillary J. [D-MI-3]

Cosponsors (9)

Rep. Mackenzie, Ryan [R-PA-7], Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10], Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13], Rep. Landsman, Greg [D-OH-1], Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1], Rep. McGarvey, Morgan [D-KY-3], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1]

Recent Actions

• 2026-01-09: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
• 2026-01-09: Introduced in House
• 2026-01-09: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Justice for Exploited Children Act — issued 2026-01-09 — PDF (4 pages)