JEFFERSON CITY — A measure sponsored by State Sen. Brian Munzlinger, R-Williamstown, has been successfully passed by both the Missouri Senate and House and has received the governor’s signature. Senate Bill 16 was “truly agreed to and finally passed” on May 2, 2013.

“I have spent a great deal of time working to get this proposal through the Missouri Legislature,” Sen. Munzlinger said. “After the federal government decided to try to enact regulations that could have ended family farming as we know it, a lot of people asked what could be done on a state level to ensure our way of life is protected. And, thanks to the efforts of my colleagues in the Missouri General Assembly, Senate Bill 16 has now been signed by the governor.”

Senate Bill 16 will exempt farm work performed by children under the age of 16 from certain child labor requirements. Young Missourians would only be able to work on their own family farms or others, as long as they have the permission of their parents.

“Agriculture is Missouri’s No. 1 industry, and Senate Bill 16 seeks to keep family farms around for a long time to come,” Sen. Munzlinger said. “Over the years, I have found young people who grew up on a farm to be mature and able to take on tasks in life because of the responsibility they learn on family farms. I look forward to another generation of Missourians with the skills one can learn from farming.”
The new law will take effect on Aug. 28, 2013.