Kansas Senate Bill SB220

Kansas 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/5/25
• Refer: 2/6/25
• Refer: 2/11/25

Caption

Increasing the penalty for unlawful employment under child labor laws.

Summary

SB 220 would amend Kansas child labor enforcement law to substantially increase penalties for unlawful employment of a person or child in violation of the child labor act. Under the bill, a first violation remains a misdemeanor, but a second conviction would become a severity level 7 person felony and a third or subsequent conviction would become a severity level 5 person felony. The bill also adds mandatory monetary penalties on repeat offenders: $25,000 for a second conviction and $50,000 for a third or later conviction, in addition to any other criminal penalties already available under law. The measure is aimed at employers, firms, or corporations that knowingly violate or permit violations of child labor restrictions. By escalating both criminal classification and fines, the bill is designed to deter repeat unlawful employment practices and strengthen enforcement of child labor protections. It would amend and replace K.S.A. 38-612, the existing penalty provision for violations of the child labor act.

Impact

SB 220 would change Kansas law by increasing the criminal and financial consequences for repeat violations of child labor rules. It would convert repeat offenses from lower-level misdemeanor treatment into felony-level offenses and impose large mandatory fines on second and later convictions. The bill would directly affect employers, business owners, and corporations subject to Kansas child labor requirements, as well as prosecutors and courts handling enforcement cases under K.S.A. 38-612.

Sentiment

Based on the bill’s caption and the absence of recorded committee testimony or votes in the provided materials, the overall sentiment appears to be supportive of stronger child labor enforcement, with the bill framed as a penalty-enhancement measure rather than a broader policy change. The sponsors’ introduction suggests concern about unlawful employment practices and a desire to deter repeat violations through tougher sanctions.

Contention

The main point of contention likely centers on whether the proposed penalties are proportionate, especially the shift to felony treatment and the addition of $25,000 and $50,000 mandatory fines for repeat offenses. Supporters would likely view the bill as a necessary deterrent against exploitative labor practices involving minors, while opponents could argue that the penalties are overly punitive for employers and may create harsh consequences for repeat violations. No committee transcript or vote record was provided, so specific arguments from legislators or stakeholders are not available.