Preventing Child Labor Exploitation in Federal Contracting Act

A bill to ensure that Federal contractors comply with child labor laws, and for other purposes.

  1. Introduced
  2. Committee
  3. Passed Senate
  4. Passed House
  5. To President
  6. Became law
Sponsor Sen. Hawley, Josh [R-MO] Introduced March 10, 2025 Cosponsors 1 (1 D) Latest action March 10, 2025

Summary

Preventing Child Labor Exploitation in Federal Contracting Act
This bill prohibits federal agencies from awarding contracts to entities and offerors that (1) admit to having violated federal child labor laws, and (2) have failed to take corrective action. The bill also increases civil penalties for violations of specified child labor provisions.
Under the bill, the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council must amend regulations to require
- any entity that enters into a contract with a federal agency to annually represent whether such entity has been determined to have violated federal child labor laws in the preceding three years, and
- any offeror, as well as each subcontractor or service provider to be used in performing the offeror's contract or considered for the performance of such contract, to certify whether it has been determined to have violated federal child labor laws in the preceding three years.
Those who affirm they have violated child labor laws must update their representation or certification regarding any corrective measures they have taken. 
Federal agencies are prohibited from awarding contracts to entities or offerors (including applicable subcontractors or service providers) that affirm they have violated federal child labor law and that have failed to implement required corrective measures.
The Department of Labor must annually prepare a list of entities, offerors, subcontractors, and service providers that are subject to this prohibition and conduct suspension and debarment proceedings against them. Federal agencies may not solicit offers, award contracts, or consent to subcontracts with those listed for at least four years.

Summary by the Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress.

Congress.gov

Actions

  1. Mar 10, 2025 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
  2. Mar 10, 2025 Introduced in Senate

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