Number: RL32353
Title: Minimum Wage, Overtime Pay, and Child Labor: Inventory of Proposals in the 108th Congress to Amend the Fair Labor Standards Act
Authors: William G. Whittaker, Domestic Social Policy Division 
Abstract: The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA, 29 U.S.C. 201-219) is the basic federal statute dealing with minimum wages, overtime pay, child labor, and related issues. Almost immediately after its enactment in 1938, various Members of Congress proposed its amendment to address worker and employer concerns. The act has now undergone general amendment on eight separate occasions (1949, 1955, 1961, 1966, 1974, 1977, 1989, and 1996) in addition to numerous more specific legislated changes in the statute. It has also been the subject of continuing administrative rulemaking by the Department of Labor (DOL). In the 108th Congress, further changes have been proposed  some to increase worker protections and others, arguably, to reduce them. Only one bill  that dealing with Amish children  was adopted. This report provides an overview of legislation proposed during the 108th Congress.
Pages: 11
Date: February 9, 2005