[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 58 (Thursday, March 30, 2023)]
[House]
[Page H1662]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          CORRECTING THE ISSUE OF CHILD LABOR IN WEST MICHIGAN

  (Ms. SCHOLTEN asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. SCHOLTEN. Mr. Speaker, this week I am introducing bipartisan 
emergency legislation to correct the devastating issue of child labor 
in west Michigan and across the country.
  In west Michigan, we believe in protecting kids. When big companies 
and corporations go against that goal, we take the necessary steps to 
hold them accountable. I have heard from my constituents, and I am 
responding.
  Here is what my bill, the Justice For Exploited Children Act, will do 
and why it is important. Right now, the maximum fine per violation of 
child labor laws is around $15,000, and there is no minimum. No 
minimum.
  If you think that is an embarrassingly low price to pay for 
exploiting a child, you are right. That is because these are the fines 
that have been on the books since this law was first introduced almost 
100 years ago, and they have not been raised.
  These meager penalties, effectively pennies for big corporations, 
allow guilty parties to evade meaningful consequences, and as a result, 
continue these shameful practices. It is unacceptable. This legislation 
makes clear that exploiting kids cannot be the cost of doing business.

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