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In Fiscal Year 2023, child labor violations soared. These numbers came as media reports highlighted time-and-time again the need for increased transparency, accountability, and resources for the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) – the leading federal agency tasked with combating child labor violations. 

U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL), Alex Padilla (D-CA), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), and Roger Marshall (R-KS) introduced the Child Labor Accountability Act of 2023 to ensure Congress receives a detailed annual report from DOL on these violations. The bill also provides DOL with more time to obtain a court order to halt the shipment of goods produced with unlawful child labor.

• “Above all, minors in America should not be exploited, and U.S. law needs to be strengthened to make sure these children are protected from abusive scenarios. This bipartisan legislation will ensure Congress receives more information to better address these illegal practices.” – Senator Rubio

• “We must do everything in our power to crack down on companies illegally profiting off the exploitation of child labor — including unaccompanied migrant children. That’s why I’m proud to join Senators Rubio, Hickenlooper, and Marshall, working across the aisle to expand the window in which the Department of Labor can hold companies accountable for these unacceptable abuses and require more comprehensive annual reports for Congress on federal child labor law violations.”– Senator Padilla

• “Across the country, kids are being exploited for low-paid, dangerous labor– especially vulnerable migrant children. Our bill will increase accountability and transparency, and make it easier to identify and stop child labor.”– Senator Hickenlooper
  

• “Violating child labor laws is a heinous crime that should be met with strict and swift penalties. Congress should have access to all of the information when looking into these abuses that are targeting children. The additional reporting required in this bill is essential for us to better combat child labor offenses in the future.”– Senator Marshall

Want more information? 

• May 2023: Rubio, Scott, Cotton Introduce Legislation to Stop Trafficking of Unaccompanied Migrant Children