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Bill Summary · SB 397

Legislative bill overview

SB 397 relates to modifications of Hawaii's child labor laws, though the specific provisions are not detailed in the available legislative record. The bill was introduced in January 2025 by Senator Karl Rhoads and has been referred to the Labor and Tourism Committee (LBT) and Judiciary Committee (JDC) for review. As of December 2025, it was carried over to the 2026 regular session without passage.

Why is this important

Child labor laws directly affect working conditions, educational opportunities, and safety protections for minors in Hawaii. Any modifications to these statutes could either strengthen protections for vulnerable young workers or relax existing restrictions depending on the bill's content. The referral to both labor and judiciary committees suggests the changes may have broad legal and regulatory implications.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope of age restrictions: Proposals to adjust minimum working ages or hours restrictions for minors could conflict between business interests and child welfare advocates
  • School attendance requirements: Changes to how child labor laws interact with educational obligations may face opposition from education stakeholders
  • Enforcement and penalties: Modifications to oversight mechanisms or penalties for violations could be debated between worker protection groups and industry representatives

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

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