A report by the U.S. Department of Labor reveals that Arkansas consistently ranks among the highest in child labor violations compared to neighboring states. Arkansas Advocate reports that key findings from the report highlight a 266% increase in state-level violations and a staggering 600% rise in financial penalties from 2020 to 2023. The food service industry, responsible for 78% of state-level cases, remains the biggest violator.

The data underscores a troubling surge in violations and penalties, particularly leading up to Arkansas’s 2023 decision to remove work permit requirements for children under 16, raising serious concerns about child exploitation.

The legislation controversy

The food service sector emerged as the state’s biggest violator, contributing the majority of recent infractions. This aligns with trends across the U.S., where industries reliant on young workers often face scrutiny for unsafe practices and illegal working conditions. The data suggests that despite enforcement efforts, widespread noncompliance persists, with Arkansas leading the charge in both state-level and federal cases.

At the center of the controversy is the Youth Hiring Act, a law signed by Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders. The act eliminated the need for minors to obtain permits verifying their age, work hours, and parental consent, under the premise of reducing “governmental burdens.” Proponents, like Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, argued that the move empowers parents while maintaining existing child labor safeguards. Laura Kellams of Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families commented, “The rollback of protections sends a message that the safety and well-being of young workers are not a priority.”

Opponents of the bill also expressed concerns that it would put children at risk of human trafficking. A few weeks before signing the bill, Sanders had signed an executive order aiming “to develop an integrated approach” to preventing human trafficking.

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