Missouri Senate endorses bill letting kids work on farm

Children younger than 16 could avoid future federal regulation and continue to work on their parent's farm under a bill scheduled for a vote in Missouri's Senate.

In 2012, the federal government proposed rules that would have prevented children from doing certain agricultural work. The plans were scrapped after opposition from lawmakers, but Missouri's Senate is looking to pass a law just in case.

The Senate measure would exempt children from getting a work certificate and from limitations on the number of hours and days they can work. Children would only need the consent of their parents to work on the family's farm.

The measure sponsored by Republican Sen. Brian Munzlinger, of Williamstown, received initial approval last week, but needs one more vote before moving to the House.