House GOP Says Child Labor Law Penalties Should Benefit Victimized Workers
(Harrisburg, PA) -- A House Republican is calling for legislation that would mandate that children exploited by employers get the proceeds from any financial penalties levied against the businesses. Representative Joseph D'Orsi of York says in a co-sponsor memo that not a dime of money the employers are forced to pay usually goes to support the victims. He says the money goes to the state general fund and the child gets nothing. Under House Bill 2118, the proceeds from fines paid by businesses that violate child labor laws would be deposited in 529 accounts to benefit the children who were exploited. Those accounts can be used to pay for college tuition or other post-secondary training.