The Iowa Senate passed a bill on Tuesday that would allow minors to work in currently banned roles and longer hours.
The new bill would extend the hours teens under 16 could work up to six hours per day, two more than currently allowed. It would allow 16- and 17-year-olds to serve alcohol at restaurants with parental permission.
Two Republicans crossed the floor to vote against the bill with Democrats. However, the bill still passed 32-17 in the GOP-controlled Senate. The Iowa House will now consider the bill before it is sent to Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds for approval.
“Ultimately, parents and kids will decide if they want to work or not,” Reynolds said earlier this month. “It teaches the kids a lot. And if they have the time to do it and they want to earn some additional money, I don’t think we should discourage that.”…