SB119 Alabama 2024 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Robert L. StewartSenator

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2024

Title

Child labor, increasing civil and criminal penalties for employers who violate child labor laws

Summary

SB119 increases civil and criminal penalties for employers who violate Alabama child labor laws and clarifies enforcement and funding implications.

What This Bill Does

It raises civil penalties for violations, with a minimum of $300 for certain violations and higher ranges ($1,000 to $5,000 to $10,000) for more serious violations, and allows penalties to be assessed per affected employee. It also adds criminal penalties for violations, including misdemeanor and felony options, especially in cases of serious injury or death to a minor. The bill establishes a notices-and-hearings process, sets collection procedures by the state Department, and directs penalties to the State General Fund, becoming effective October 1, 2024; local-fund expenditure rules are explicitly avoided because the bill defines new crimes or amends existing ones.

Who It Affects

• Employers who violate child labor laws in Alabama (face higher civil penalties and potential criminal charges).
• Parents or guardians who suffer or permit a minor under 19 to work in violation of the child labor laws (face civil penalties).

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 25-8-59 to add civil penalties for violating child labor provisions, with a minimum $300 penalty for certain violations and $1,000-$5,000-$10,000 penalties for more serious violations.
• Allows separate civil penalties for each affected employee and the possibility of multiple penalties for the same employee if multiple statutory provisions are violated; additionally, criminal penalties may apply.
• Defines a hearing process: the Department issues a Notice of Violation and Opportunity to Show Cause; 30 days to request a hearing or respond in writing; rights to representation and to present evidence; the Department may collect penalties in the county where the violation occurred and penalties go to the State General Fund.
• Establishes criminal consequences: violations under certain provisions can be Class B or Class C misdemeanors, with first convictions often Class C and subsequent convictions Class B; in cases involving serious physical injury or death of a minor, penalties can be Class A misdemeanor or Class B/Class C felonies depending on the circumstance; penalties can be applied per violation and per affected individual.
• Section 2 states the bill is exempt from local government spending rules under Section 111.05 because it creates or amends a crime; Section 3 sets October 1, 2024 as the effective date.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Labor & Employment