High-profile bills aimed at keeping children off social media and loosening decades-old work restrictions for 16- and 17-year-old youths were among 15 bills that the Legislature formally sent Thursday to Gov. Ron DeSantis.
The social media bill (HB 3) was a priority of House Speaker Paul Renner, a Palm Coast Republican who contends online platforms harm children’s mental health and can lead to sexual predators communicating with minors.
The bill, in part, would prevent children under the age of 16 from opening social media accounts, though it would allow parents to give consent for 14-and 15-year-olds to have accounts.
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DeSantis has indicated he will sign the bill, though critics have pointed to courts blocking similar laws passed in other states.
Tech industry and free-speech groups have signaled a likely First Amendment court challenge. The bill (HB 49) regarding teen labor laws would maintain a 30-hour work week limit for 16-—and 17-year-olds when school is in session.
However, parents, guardians or school superintendents could waive the 30-hour limit. Also, the measure would lift a restriction by allowing 16- and 17-year-olds to work more than eight hours on Sundays and holidays when school is scheduled the next day.
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It would also require that 16- and 17-year-olds working eight or more hours a day get 30-minute meal breaks after four hours of work.
DeSantis has until April 5 to act on the proposals.
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