Bill sponsor inserts Randy Fine into debate over lowering child labor laws

Image via AP.

On the day he could be elevated to serve in Washington, former state Senator and congressional candidate Randy Fine jumped into the debate on weakening Florida’s child labor laws.

Fine’s family inspired an “11th-hour” amendment to allow 13-year-olds to work in the Summer of the year they turn 14, per a bill from Rep. Monique Miller.

Fine’s “wife called and said, ‘Our son, who’s a mature and very wonderful young man … wants to be able to work for the Summers,” the Palm Bay Republican said as she presented her bill during a House subcommittee meeting. “But unfortunately, his birthday is late in the year. Their request was: Is it possible to let teenagers who are going to be 14 that year not miss out on their one Summer to go work?”

Miller’s bill (HB 1225) and her two amendments passed the House Industries and Professional Activities Subcommittee despite opposition from Democrats and speakers who worried that young people will be exploited. The bill passed via a 12-6 vote.

“All of this makes me feel, like, a little uncomfortable,” said Rep. Michele Rayner, a St. Petersburg Democrat, as some asked about children’s grades suffering.

The bill would roll back the rules to allow younger children to work and repeal restrictions so 16- and 17-year-olds can work longer, even during the school year.

Miller sponsored a second amendment to prohibit 16- and 17-year-olds from working before 6:30 a.m. or after 10 p.m. The original bill previously set 11 p.m. as the latest limit.

“We want to reduce barriers to teenagers learning their trade and preparing for their career,” Miller told the committee.

Teenagers don’t need to get permission from parents to work, she added.

At the same meeting, the House panel approved a bill to expand E-Verify for small employers to fight illegal immigration.

“Gov. DeSantis has said that we should replace immigrant labor with children. Is that the goal with this bill?” asked Rep. Angie Nixon, a Jacksonville Democrat.

Miller defended her legislation.

“It’s extremely important to understand we’re not even bringing Florida’s standards down to the federal level,” Miller said. “This remains stricter than federal standards.”