Relating to youth employment and making penalties applicable

This bill relates to youth employment. The bill generally strikes statutory changes made by 2023 Iowa Acts, Senate File 542, and restores statutory language in effect prior to the enactment of 2023 Iowa Acts, Senate File 542. The elimination of the work categories of street occupations and migratory labor, a prohibition on persons under years of age working in occupations in establishments where nude or topless dancing is performed, and a prohibition on sexually violent predators or sex offenders employing persons under years of age, enacted by 2023 Iowa Acts, Senate File 542, are retained. The bill requires a permit for a person under years of age to work in most circumstances and provides procedures relating to such work and such permits under Code chapter 92, the state child labor law. The bill modifies permitted and prohibited work that can be performed by minors at various age levels, as well as hours in which permitted work can be performed. The bill strikes language providing for waiver of civil penalties under Code chapter and a grace period before such penalties can be imposed. The bill strikes exceptions to and limitations on the applicability of certain provisions of Code chapter for certain work-based learning programs. The bill strikes an exceptions to Code chapter for performing in motion pictures, theatrical productions, or musical performances and modifies an exception for modeling. The bill strikes limitations on civil liability for businesses for injury, sickness, or death resulting from student participation in work-based learning programs. The bill provides penalties for certain actions taken in violation of Code chapter to procure employment for oneself or of another person. Under current law, a violation of Code chapter is a serious misdemeanor. A serious misdemeanor is punishable by confinement for no more than one year and a fine of at least $430 but not more than $2,560. Under current law, an employer violating Code chapter is subject to a civil penalty of up to $10,000. The bill changes terminology referring to “occupations” to instead refer to “work activities”.49 in specified circumstances if specified procedures are followed. The bill reflects the transfer of administration of Code chapter from the labor commissioner to the director of the department of inspections, appeals, and licensing by 2023 Iowa Acts, Senate File 514.