Federal contractors would have to disclose child labor violations

What does this do?

S 920 requires companies seeking federal contracts to disclose any child labor law violations found in the past three years, covering both the company and its subcontractors. Companies with violations on record can still compete for contracts if they work with the Department of Labor to correct the problem. Those that refuse to address violations or misrepresent their record can be banned from federal contracting for at least four years.

Who does it affect?

The bill applies to private companies, contractors, and subcontractors that do business with the federal government. The Department of Labor, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Department of Homeland Security are also directly affected through new training and reporting requirements.

Why does it matter?

The bill would make it harder for companies with child labor violations to receive taxpayer-funded contracts. The Government Accountability Office would be required to study how widespread these violations are among federal contractors and report its findings to Congress.

What does it cost, and who pays?

• Standard fine raised to $100,000 per violation
• Serious cases capped at $500,000
• Prior max was $11,000 standard

Where does it stand?