31 Despite these new laws in some states, the number of child workers in the United States continued to increase. To become a part of the Constitution, an amendment must pass 75% of the States’ Legislatures. By the late 1800’s States had passed over 1600 laws limiting or forbidding child labor. “Hmm, a constitutional amendment against child labor? The United States Constitution defines this nation more than any single document, and as a result it’s also a thing that a lot of people get really mad about sometimes, and that very few people have probably actually read all the way through. Two states (and possibly a third) did ratify the Corwin Amendment, which was approved by Congress in 1861 and guaranteed the right of states that legalized slavery to keep “persons held to labor or service by the laws of said State.” It was passed by Congress … In more recent times, only three proposed amendments have not been ratified by three-fourths of the States. Unfortunately, many of these laws were ignored, or did not apply to everyone, such as immigrants. Attempts to secure a Constitutional amendment were not successful. 12 of 15 are 80% — clearly over the 75% threshold. A federal minimum-age law did not pass … Between 1885 and 1889, stories like this led 10 states to pass minimum age laws, while 6 set maximum working hours for children. You might be surprised to know that the laws against "child labor" do not date from the 18th century. 1936 – The Walsh-Healey Act sets safety standards, minimum wage, overtime pay, and child labor provisions on all federal contracts. Before the Keating-Owen Child Labor Act was passed thirty-six states had banned the industrial employment of children under 14 years old, and eighteen of these states had also limited the working hours of children aged fourteen to sixteen. Not enough states ratify the child labor amendment for it to become law. Although Congress passed an amendment to the Constitution banning child labor in 1924, the amendment was not ratified by the states. Keating-Owen Child Labor Act for kids: Why was the amendment to the law passed? 1924 – Congress adopts a constitutional amendment barring child labor and sends the amendment out to be ratified by the state legislatures. It was the same law that gave us a minimum wage and defined what constitutes full-time and part-time work. The first is the proposed child-labor amendment, which was submitted to the States during the 1st session of the 68th Congress in June 1924, as follows: 1936 – The Walsh-Healey Act sets safety standards, minimum wage, overtime pay, and child labor provisions on all federal contracts. 32 In 1890, more than 18 percent of children ages 10 to 15 were employed. Education of youth became an issue and in 1836, Connecticut passed a law requiring working children to attend school 3 months a year. 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