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Summary of differences between federal and state regulations
Mississippi does not have a Department of Labor. Child labor laws are administered by local school officials and the state attorney general.
Work age
Youths must be:
- 14 for most employment
- 17 for school bus drivers
- 18 for serving alcoholic beverages (not bartenders)
- 21 for tending bar
Work hours
Youths 14 or older may work:
- 6 am to 7 pm to work in factories, mills, and canneries
- 8 hours/day, 44 hours/week
Mississippi has no work restrictions for youth 16 and older.
Permits
Parental affidavit and certificate of school attendance for youth under 16, which are kept on file by the employer. Employer must also keep a register of all affidavits for current employees and the information contained in them.
State
Contact
Mississippi Workers' Compensation Commission
Regulations
The Mississippi child labor requirements can be found in Title 71, Chapter 1, Sections 71-1-17 through 71-1-31 of the Mississippi Code.
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.
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