Havre Daily News: Feds may ban farmers from hiring kids
Montana’s federal lawmakers said last week they are pleased that the U. S. Department of Labor has extended a comment period on some proposals that could have “unintended consequences” on family farms and ranches.
Department of Labor originally had set a Nov. 1 deadline for comments on the first major revision on child labor laws in agriculture operations in 40 years. Last week officials extended that deadline to Dec. 1.
Montana’s U. S. Sens. Max Baucus and Jon Tester, both Democrats, and U. S. Rep. Denny Rehberg, a Republican, had called on Labor Secretary Hilda Solis to extend the comment period…
“Government works best when decisions are based on good information, so I’m glad that the federal government is giving family farmers an opportunity to have a real say in the operation of their farms, ” Tester said in a release after the decision. “Hands-on farming helps teenagers get real work experience to build a strong work ethic. ”
