CARE Act of 2025
- Sponsor
- Rep. Ruiz, Raul [D-CA-25]
- Committees
- Education and Workforce Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Nov 17, 2025
Bottom line
The CARE Act of 2025 aims to align child labor standards in agriculture more closely with those in other industries, enhancing protections for young farmworkers through stricter age requirements, increased penalties, and improved incident reporting.
What it actually does
This bill, the "CARE Act of 2025," significantly strengthens child labor protections in the agricultural industry by amending the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (FLSA). It raises the minimum age for most agricultural work to 14, removes specific exemptions for younger children in hand harvesting, prohibits individuals under 18 from working as pesticide handlers, and substantially increases civil and criminal penalties for child labor violations, especially those resulting in serious injury, illness, or death. Additionally, it mandates new data collection and employer reporting requirements for work-related incidents involving child farmworkers.
Proponents argue
Proponents argue that the bill addresses a long-standing disparity in child labor laws that has historically exposed agricultural children to greater dangers, longer hours, and lower pay than their peers in other sectors. They emphasize the high rates of work-related injuries, fatalities, and sexual abuse among child farmworkers, asserting that the current exceptions are outdated and harmful. Strengthening these protections is presented as a moral imperative to safeguard children's health, safety, education, and overall well-being.
Opponents contend
Opponents might argue that the bill could severely impact family farms and agricultural businesses that rely on seasonal labor, including the traditional involvement of children in farm work. They may contend that the increased age restrictions and penalties could lead to labor shortages, higher operational costs, and reduced competitiveness for U.S. agriculture. Concerns could also be raised about federal overreach into traditional family farming practices and the potential economic hardship for families who depend on their children's contributions to farm income.
The bill is relatively short and clearly structured, making it accessible for an informed reader to understand its core provisions within a reasonable timeframe.
Section 3, amending FLSA Section 3(l)
Redefinition of "Oppressive Child Labor"
This provision redefines "oppressive child labor" under the Fair Labor Standards Act. It now explicitly prohibits any employment for children under 14 years of age by an employer, effectively setting a minimum age of 14 for most non-family farm work. For 14-15 year olds, employment is restricted to periods not interfering with schooling, health, or well-being, and for 16-17 year olds, it prohibits employment in occupations deemed hazardous or detrimental to their health.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue this change aligns child labor standards in agriculture with those in most other industries, protecting very young children from the inherent dangers and demands of work that can interfere with their development, education, and health.
Critics contend
Critics might contend that this provision removes flexibility for families and small farms, potentially impacting traditional agricultural practices where children might assist with lighter tasks, and could reduce income opportunities for low-income families.
Tradeoffs
This provision balances the protection of young children from potentially harmful labor conditions against the traditional practices and economic needs of agricultural families and businesses.
Section 4, amending FLSA Section 13(c)
Elimination of Agricultural Child Labor Exemptions
This section eliminates most existing exemptions that allowed children younger than 14 to work in agriculture. It specifically repeals the provision that permitted 10- and 11-year-olds to hand-harvest short-season crops. The only remaining general exemption for agricultural child labor is for children under 18 working on a parent's farm outside of school hours, or children under 16 working for a parent in non-hazardous non-manufacturing/mining jobs. This effectively raises the minimum age for most non-family farm agricultural work to 14, consistent with other industries.
Section 5, amending FLSA Section 16(e)(1)
Enhanced Civil Penalties for Child Labor Violations
This section substantially increases the civil monetary penalties for employers who violate child labor laws. General violations now carry a penalty of $500 to $15,000 per employee. For violations that result in the serious injury, serious illness, or death of an employee under 18, the penalty is increased to $15,000 to $60,115, with the possibility of doubling this amount for repeated or willful violations. It also defines "serious illness" for these purposes.
Section 6, amending FLSA Section 16
New Criminal Penalties for Severe Child Labor Violations
This provision introduces new, more severe criminal penalties for individuals who repeatedly or willfully violate child labor provisions, specifically when these violations lead to the death, serious injury, or serious illness of an employee under 18. Such individuals could face imprisonment for up to 5 years, a fine under Title 18 of the U.S. Code, or both.
Section 7, inserting new FLSA Section 12A
Mandated Data Analysis and Reporting on Child Worker Injuries
This section requires the Secretary of Labor to analyze data from various federal and state sources concerning work-related injuries, illnesses, or deaths of children under 18 employed in agriculture. The Secretary must then submit an annual report to Congress summarizing this data, evaluating child labor status and hazards, and identifying potential violations. These reports must also be published in the Federal Register and on the Department of Labor website.
Section 8, inserting new FLSA Section 12B
Mandatory Employer Reporting of Child Farmworker Incidents
This section mandates that agricultural employers must report to the Secretary of Labor within 5 days any work-related serious injury, serious illness, or death of an employee under 18 employed in agriculture. The report must include details such as the employer's and employee's information, incident specifics (e.g., environmental hazards, machinery use, tasks performed), and other information as required by regulation. Failure to report carries a civil penalty of $500 to $7,000 per violation.
Section 9
Ban on Child Pesticide Handlers
This section includes a Congressional finding that employing children under 18 as pesticide handlers is "particularly hazardous" and "detrimental to health." It then mandates that, within 30 days of enactment, the Secretary of Labor must revise federal regulations (29 CFR part 570) to explicitly prohibit the employment of any child under 18 from performing tasks or duties defined as those of a "handler" in federal pesticide worker protection standards (40 CFR 170.3).