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HJ 3

Ratifying the Federal Child Labor Amendment

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Sheila Ruth

Ratifies the 1924 Child Labor Amendment, enabling Congress to limit, regulate, and prohibit under-18 labor nationwide if three-quarters of states ratify.

Hearing 3/03 at 12:00 p.m.
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Bill Summary · HJ 3

Summary — House Joint Resolution 3 (HJ 3)

Title: Ratifying the Federal Child Labor Amendment
Introduced: Prefiled Sept 12, 2024; introduced/read Jan 8–10, 2025
Primary sponsor: Delegate Ruth
Classification: Joint resolution (constitutional ratification)
Assigned to: Rules and Executive Nominations; cross-filed in Senate as SJ 1 (Finance)
Hearing: Scheduled Mar 3, 2025; Status: Died in Process (May 20, 2025)

Purpose and intent

HJ 3 would have the Maryland General Assembly ratify the “Child Labor Amendment,” a joint resolution of Congress (U.S. House Joint Resolution 184 of 1924) that, if ratified by three‑fourths of states, would add to the U.S. Constitution authority for Congress “to limit, regulate, and prohibit the labor of persons under eighteen years of age.” The resolution expresses the Assembly’s intent to correct Maryland’s 1927 rejection of the measure and to join other states seeking ratification.

Text proposed for ratification

The amendment’s operative language:
- Section 1: Congress shall have power to limit, regulate, and prohibit the labor of persons under eighteen years of age.
- Section 2: State powers are unimpaired except that state law operation is suspended to the extent necessary to give effect to federal legislation enacted under the amendment.

Key provisions / actions required

  • HJ 3 itself does not change Maryland law; it formally ratifies the 1924 proposed constitutional amendment and directs the Department of Legislative Services to transmit copies to federal and state officials (President, Vice President/President of the Senate, Archivist of the U.S., Maryland’s Congressional delegation, and state legislative presiding officers).
  • If the amendment were ultimately added to the U.S. Constitution (requires 3/4 of states), Congress would gain explicit constitutional authority to enact nationwide child labor limits that could preempt state laws where necessary.

Who would be affected

  • Directly: none in the short term — the fiscal note states no immediate fiscal or local impact because the amendment still requires additional state ratifications.
  • Potentially: minors, employers, states’ regulatory regimes — federal child labor legislation enacted under the amendment could alter or preempt existing state standards and enforcement.

Fiscal and legal context

  • Fiscal Note: No direct State fiscal effect now; potential future effects depend on federal legislation and litigation if the amendment is ratified nationally.
  • Background: Earlier federal child‑labor laws (Keating‑Owen Act, 1916) were struck down; the Fair Labor Standards Act (1938) established federal child‑labor rules and has been upheld. Maryland law currently restricts employment of minors (work permits, hazardous occupations, hour limits) and provides criminal penalties for violations.

Procedural timeline / outcome

  • Prefiled Sept 2024; introduced Jan 2025; referred to committees; hearing scheduled Mar 3, 2025.
  • Reported actions show the resolution ultimately “Died in Process” May 20, 2025 (missed deadline for revenue-bill transmittal noted April 7, 2025).

Related legislation

  • Companion: SJ 1 (Senate, Finance)
  • Prior-session: HJ 7 (2024); LC 4184 (replaces)

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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