Bills · HR 7002
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 7002Labor and Employment
Justice for Exploited Children Act
INTRO JAN 9· LAST ACTION JAN 9
READING
3MIN
COSPONSORS
9
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenVoters should care about this bill because it aims to strengthen protections for children in the workforce. If this bill becomes law, employers will face much tougher consequences for illegally employing children, which could deter them from exploiting young workers or putting them in dangerous situations. This means fewer children might be exposed to hazardous jobs or kept from their education.
Without this bill, the current penalties for child labor violations might not be strong enough to truly deter some employers, particularly those seeking to cut costs or ignore safety standards. By significantly increasing fines and prison sentences, the bill sends a clear message that child labor exploitation will not be tolerated, potentially leading to a safer environment for young people who are working.
KEY PROVISIONS
4AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Increases criminal fines for repeated or willful child labor violations to up to $100,000 and up to 5 years imprisonment.
This provision creates a stronger deterrent for employers who knowingly or repeatedly exploit child labor.
PROVISION 02
Establishes severe criminal penalties of up to $500,000 fine and up to 10 years imprisonment if child labor violations willfully result in a child's death or serious injury.
This provision specifically targets and severely punishes the most egregious child labor abuses, aiming to prevent tragic outcomes.
PROVISION 03
Raises the civil financial penalties for general child labor violations from a maximum of $11,000 to a range of $1,000 to $150,000, with double penalties for repeated or willful violations.
This ensures that even less severe violations carry a much higher financial consequence, increasing accountability across the board.
PROVISION 04
Creates a new civil penalty of $50,000 to $601,150 for violations causing the death of a child under 18, with the penalty doubled for repeated or willful violations.
This provision establishes a specific and significant financial penalty for the most tragic outcome of child labor exploitation, ensuring stronger accountability.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 9
D· Michigan
YRS IN OFFICE
3
BILLS LED
52
COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 44%
DEM 7 REP 2 IND 0
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTSJAN 9
Introduced in House
JAN 9
Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
BILL INFO
TypeHouse Bill
NumberHR 7002
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedJan 9, 2026
Last actionJan 9, 2026
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED JAN 9, 2026
House BillHR 7002Labor and Employment
Justice for Exploited Children Act
INTRODUCED JAN 9, 2026· LAST ACTION JAN 9, 2026
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
3 min
COSPONSORS
9
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
