Child labor - Louisiana

Summary of differences between federal and state regulations

The Louisiana Department of Labor administers the child labor laws.

Work age

Youths must be:

• None specified to work for parents, domestic work in private homes, or farm labor
• 14 for most non-hazardous jobs
• 16 for most jobs involving machinery or entertainment
• 18 to work in all jobs

Effective June 2008 (Act 364, HB 738), minors under the age of fourteen may be employed if all of the following conditions are met:

1. The minor is at least twelve years of age.
2. The minor’s parent or legal guardian is an owner or partner in the business in which the minor is to be employed.
3. The minor shall work only under the direct supervision of the parent or legal guardian who owns or is a partner in the business.
4. All of the protections afforded to minors fourteen and fifteen years of age shall be afforded to minors twelve and thirteen years of age.
5. The minor obtains an employment certificate.

Work hours

Youths under 16 may work:

• 7 am to 7 pm when school is in session (extended to 9 pm from June 1^st through Labor Day)
• 8 hours/day, up to 6 consecutive days, 40 hours/week (3 hours/day, 18 hours/week on school nights)

Youth 16-18 may work:

• 10 pm on school nights
• 12 am on non-school nights

Breaks

Youths must be given a 30-minute break every five hours.

Permits

Youth under 18 must have age and employment certificates issued by the parish or city school superintendent.

Postings

Employer must post an abstract of the child labor law and a list of prohibited occupations.

State

Contact

Louisiana Workforce Commission

Regulations

The Louisiana child labor requirements can be found in the Louisiana Statutes at Title 23, Chapter 3, Part I, Sections 151 through 253.

Website: http://legis.la.gov/Legis/Law.aspx?d=83563

Federal

Contact

The Department of Labor is the sole federal agency that monitors child labor and enforces child labor laws. Enforcement of the Fair Labor Standard Act's child labor provisions is handled by the Wage and Hour Division of the Department’s Employment Standards Administration.

Department of Labor

Regulations

U.S. child labor regulations can be found in CFR 29:

Part 570 Child Labor Regulations, Orders and Statements of Interpretation

Part 575 Waiver of Child Labor Provisions for Agricultural Employment of 10 and 11 Year Old Minors In Hand Harvesting of Short Season Crops

Part 579 Child Labor Violations – Civil Money Penalties