Rep. DeLauro Introduces the CHILD Labor Act to Raise Fines for Dangerous Work
This bill is in the early stages of the legislative process and is currently sitting with the House Committee on Education and Workforce and the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. Since June 17, 2026, no further action has been taken by these committees. Most bills do not receive a committee vote, so this proposal is not moving forward at this time.
While child labor is a major public concern, the bill currently lacks Republican support and faces pushback from business groups over supply chain liability rules.
This bill’s path across every version that has carried it.
Reintroduced
Reintroduced from H.R. 6079 (118th), which died when its Congress ended.
H.R. 6079 (118th) →Scores run from -100 (strongly harmful) to +100 (strongly beneficial) for each group, combining impact, certainty, scope, and duration ratings of 1-5. How impact scoring works
Small businesses that rely on subcontractors or suppliers would face new legal liability for child labor violations anywhere in their supply chain. Even those who comply with the law would need to invest in written assurances, monitoring, and documentation to establish a good faith defense. Businesses caught violating the rules face dramatically higher fines and possible stop work orders that shut down operations.
“No person shall produce, manufacture, or otherwise offer into commerce a good or service with respect to which an employer who is a contractor or subcontractor (at any tier) of the person employs oppressive child labor”
Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.
Introduced in House
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
A group of Democratic lawmakers led by Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) is seeking to overhaul federal child labor laws. The proposed CHILD Labor Act would raise maximum civil penalties to $160,350 per violation and grant the Labor Department authority to issue stop-work orders.
The Children Harmed in Life-threatening or Dangerous (CHILD) Labor Act, reintroduced in Congress, would expand the Fair Labor Standards Act to hold lead corporations responsible for illegal child labor used by their subcontractors and staffing agencies.
The CHILD Labor Act would increase criminal fines to $750,000 and allow the Department of Labor to place warning labels on 'hot goods' produced with child labor, a move supporters say is necessary to deter a 10-year spike in illegal employment of minors.
No votes or related bills recorded for this bill yet.
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
CHILD Labor Act
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