Child labour violations in the United States have increased fivefold over the past decade, yet Republican-led states continue to weaken protections for under-18 workers. In 2026, Nebraska, Indiana and West Virginia enacted legislation rolling back regulations, with similar bills pending in Florida, Missouri and Virginia.
The push to erode state-level protections is part of a broader strategy outlined in Project 2025, a conservative blueprint by the Heritage Foundation, aiming to ultimately weaken federal standards. Since 2021, 30 states have proposed such rollbacks, with 17 enacting them.
Data from the Department of Labor shows the number of minors employed in violation of child labour laws rose from 1,012 in fiscal year 2015 to 5,272 in fiscal year 2025. Hazardous occupation violations more than doubled, from 355 to 773. Notable cases include McDonald's franchises in Pennsylvania and Kentucky employing children as young as 10, and meat processing plants using minors in hazardous roles.
Nebraska's Republican governor, Jim Pillen, signed a law in February 2026 reducing the minimum wage for 14- and 15-year-olds from $15 to $13.50 per hour, with annual increases capped at 1.5% from 2030. It also introduces a sub-minimum training wage of $13.50 for 16- to 19-year-olds during their first 90 days of employment.
Critics argue these changes devalue young workers' labour. Noel Tonniges of Nebraska Appleseed noted the state's unemployment rate is 3.0%, well below the national 4.4%, and youth labour participation stands at 68%, compared to 56% nationally. She warned the rollbacks set a dangerous precedent and discourage young people from entering the workforce.
Meanwhile, the Trump administration has drastically reduced enforcement, with a 97% decline in wage and hour cases and a 35% drop in health and safety inspections, exacerbating the issue.
