The Louisiana state legislature is currently reviewing HB 156, a bill proposed by Republican State Representative Roger Wilder. If passed, it would remove the requirement for employers to provide a 30-minute meal break for minors working at least 5 hours. Wilder argues that this change would reduce administrative burdens on employers, citing the lack of similar regulations in other states.
The bill received approval from the House Committee on Labor and Industrial Relations and will proceed to the full legislature for consideration. Critics view it as part of a broader trend of Republicans scaling back labor protections for minors. Despite opposition, Wilder asserts that the bill aims to streamline paperwork rather than harm children. He pledges to continue offering meal breaks in his businesses and trusts the free market to ensure fair treatment of workers.
