Elizabeth and Bryant

CHILD LABOR

The Department of Labor is the sole federal agency that monitors child labor and enforces child labor laws. The

most sweeping federal law that restricts the employment and abuse of the child workers is the Fair Labor Standards

Act. Child labor provisions under FLSA are designed to protect the educational opportunities of youth and prohibit

their employment in jobs that are detrimental to their health and safety.

CHILD LABOR LAWS

An employment certificate, commonly called a work permeant, is required for all minors who have not reached their 18th birthday. Minors may obtain work permits from:

• The county school superintendents office

EMPLOYMENT CERTIFICATE

You have to be at least 14 or 15 to work for 3 hours on a school day, 18 hours in a school week, 8 hours on a non-

school day, 40 hours in a non-school week, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., except from June 1 through Labor Day, when

nighttime work hours are extended to 9 p.m.

HOURS OF WORK/AGE REQUIREMENTS

The law states that all children between the ages 7 - 18, and ages 5 and 6 if they are enrolled, must attend school

every day on time unless lawfully excused by the school. If a child is under age 12, his or her failure to attend school is presumed to be the crime of educational neglect committed

by the child's parents/guardians.

SCHOOL ATTENDANCE

Minors are restricted by federal law from working in certain prohibited and hazardous occupations. These

restrictions are in place to help maintain the safety and health of minors in the workplace. Effective June 19, 2010, the United States Department of Labor (USDOL) updated the Prohibited and Hazardous Occupations for minors as

defined in the Fair Labor Standards Act. The updates reflect changes in technology or job descriptions that have come about since the laws were initially conceived. Many of

the updates help to better define the occupations minors may perform. Several of the updates also incorporate new restrictions and, in some cases, include occupations that

were not originally contemplated by the Act.

HAZARDOUS/PROHIBITED OCCUPATIONS

association through performance or participation with any motion picture production company, theatrical group or

association, broadcasting (radio and television) or photographic modeling agency whether or not monetary

remuneration is provided.

ENTERTAINMENT EMPLOYMENT