House Passes Bill to Give Amish Special Labor Exemptions for Teens

WASHINGTON —  Amish families would get special exemptions to employ young people in settings the Labor Department deems hazardous under legislation the House passed by voice vote Tuesday.

Supporters said the measure would help resolve a conflict between government regulations and Amish religious traditions, which call for youngsters to work in apprenticeship settings after eighth-grade.

Critics questioned the wisdom of subjecting teenagers to hazardous occupations and the constitutionality of exempting members of one religion. The bill would let Amish teenagers work in sawmills, woodworking shops and other industries considered essential by the Amish but harmful by the Labor Department.

Federal child-protection laws prohibit children under 16 from working in manufacturing operations such as sawmills and children under 18 from working in other hazardous occupations, even for tasks that do not require operating mechanical equipment. Amish businesses have been fined thousands of dollars.

Under the legislation, teens would be able to work in limited woodworking settings but would be prohibited from directly operating mechanical equipment.

Similar legislation passed the House last year but died in the Senate.

In other congressional action:

* The House passed a measure that would make as much as $500 million available to guarantee loans for farmers and ranchers.

Supporters said the bill would ease a farm credit crunch caused by natural disasters and low commodity prices.

* A group of U.S. lawmakers offered legislation that would allow the government to regulate the manufacture, sale and distribution of guns like it does other consumer products, such as toys and washing machines.

“It is outrageous that our government is powerless to regulate this industry and is unable to warn consumers of the risks which guns may pose,” Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy (D-R.I.) said at a news conference.

Under the bill, called the Firearms Safety and Consumer Protection Act, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms would regulate the manufacture and sale of guns, develop safety standards and evaluate product safety.