WASHINGTON, D.C. — A Congressman from Iowa hopes to put a permanent stop to any changes in child labor rules involving farms.

Last month, the U.S. House passed legislation introduced by Rep. Tom Latham (R-Iowa) that would block future attempts by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) to prohibit youth from working on farms owned by their families. The Preserving America’s Family Farms Act passed by a unanimous voice vote July 24.

A similar bill has been introduced in the Senate by Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), though Latham said he doesn’t know if or when that bill would come to a vote. Thune’s legislation has 44 cosponsors.

Latham, a farmer from Alexander, Iowa, said his legislation was in response to a DOL proposal in September 2011 that would have affected not only family-owned farms but participation in FFA and 4-H activities. The DOL plan would have ended two certification programs that allow student learners to do certain kinds of farm work, including the operation of tractors.

The DOL withdrew its proposal in April after various agricultural and farm youth organizations voiced their opposition to it, Latham said. Because he had already introduced his bill, he opted to proceed with the legislation to allow the House to make a statement. The bill’s cosponsor was Rep. Dan Boren, an Oklahoma Democrat. “I was somewhat shocked, to say the least, when the (DOL) put those rules in place,” Latham said. “There was no consideration for what happens in family farm operations. They denied kids the opportunity to learn about agriculture, and develop skills and develop a love of farming.”

Family farms have historically been exempted from child labor rules, Latham said, but the DOL proposal could have jeopardized that exclusion for operations that are partly owned by extended family members.

“I wanted to make sure the House was on record as having strong opposition to the DOL proposal or something like it,” he said. “I’m very concerned about what (federal) agencies might be up to after the election. (The proposal) really shows how out of touch the bureaucracy is in Washington.”

At the time the DOL withdrew its proposal, the agency said the regulation would not be pursued during the duration of the Obama administration.

“(The administration) is firmly committed to promoting family farmers and respecting the rural way of life, especially the role that parents and other family members play in passing those traditions down through the generations,” the DOL said in a statement. “The administration is also deeply committed to listening and responding to what Americans across the country have to say about proposed rules and regulations.”

Rather than pursue the proposed regulations, the DOL said it would work with rural stakeholders such as 4-H, FFA and the American Farm Bureau Federation to “develop an educational program to reduce accidents to young workers and promote safer agricultural working practices.” The National FFA Organization supported Latham’s legislation, according to Kent Schescke, the group’s director of strategic partnerships.

“Many students of agriculture and FFA members across the country learn life-long skills and lessons in hard work, character development and leadership by working on family farms and ranches,” he said. “Through Representative Latham’s leadership, student members of the FFA will continue to have access to these hands-on learning opportunities.”

The DOL’s proposal could have restricted or prevented youth from working on family farms and ranches, said J.D. Alexander, president of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Assoc. “This ridiculous rule would have prevented the next generation of farmers and ranchers from acquiring skills and passion for this very noble profession,” he said. “We should not have to worry about negligent rules being promulgated by out-of-touch regulatory agencies.

“It is unfortunate that we need legislation to prevent these nonsensical regulations, but with this administration’s track record, it is necessary to trust but verify.”