The Iowa Senate approved a labor bill that would lessen the restrictions for children age 16-17 to work longer hours, including in jobs that are currently prohibited such as serving alcohol among others. State Representative Brooke Boden tells KNIA News as of last week the bill has stalled in Iowa House and there isn’t a final version so she can’t say whether or not she supports the bill if it comes to a vote, but she is supportive of kids being able to work as long as it is safe and they have time for school.

“I definitely want to make sure that we have adequate hours for kids and they still have plenty of time for school and we aren’t turning our workforce into young kids. At the same time I think there are a lot of kids who have the energy, effort, and the want to get out and get working and saving money, and really getting prepared for an adult life.”

Boden said she thinks working as a teen can build good work ethic for later, especially if the kids want to get a job and save money early.