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

This bill increases the civil and criminal penalties for employers in Alabama who violate child labor laws, directly affecting businesses that hire workers under the age of 19. Under the new provisions, civil fines for certain violations rise from $300 to $1,000, while fines for more serious offenses increase from $1,000 to a range of $10,000. Additionally, the bill allows authorities to assess separate penalties for each employee involved in a violation and expands criminal charges, including potential felony convictions for cases involving serious physical injury or death of a minor. These changes take effect on October 1, 2024, and all collected fines will go to the state's general fund.