Despite widespread exploitation of children working in dangerous jobs, states such as Iowa continue to roll back protections for younger workers. In 2023, Senate File 542 was signed into law in Iowa, a substantial re-write of Iowa’s child labor laws. Cameron argues that various provisions of Senate File 542 are likely illegal under federal law and will harm children in Iowa.
Donovan S. Cameron, A Dangerous Precedent: Iowa’s Divergence from Federal Child Labor Norms, 28 J. Gender, Race & Just. 249 (2025).