LAWS AND AGENCIES CONTROLLING EMPLOYMENT OF MINORS Most California Employers are governed not only by state child labor laws but by the child labor provisions of the Federal Fair Labor Standards. When federal and state laws both apply, the more restrictive law prevails. FLSA sets basic minimum ages of 16 for general employment and 18 for occupations declared particularly hazardous for young workers. Persons younger than 16 are allowed to work only in limited, specified occupations which excludes baking, manufacturing, processing, construction, warehouse, and transportation occupations. (See federal Child Labor Bulletins 101 and 102). California law also sets out minimum ages, as summarized below and restricts or prohibits employment of specified age groups of minors in specified hazardous occupations. (See Child Labor Laws in California). Information on federal labor laws is available from the Wage and Hour Division, Employment Standards Administration, US Department of Labor. Information on state child labor laws is available from the Division of Labor Standards, California Industrial Welfare Commission. Both the federal and state agencies have offices in several California cities.
SUMMARY OF MINORS' WORK REGULATIONS

Federal law generally prohibits employment of children younger than 14. State law generally prohibits employment of children younger than 12. Special rules apply to agricultural and domestic work to the entertainment industry.

Children generally must attend school until age 18 unless they are 16 or older and have graduated from high school or received a state Certificate of Proficiency.

Employers of minors required to attend school must have a "Request for Work Permit and Statement of Intent to Employ Minor" on file with the school district of attendance for each minor and must themselves have on file for each minor a "Permit to Employ and Work". Records are to be open at all times for inspection by school authorities and officers of the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement.

A work permit must be revoked whenever the issuing authority determines the employment is impairing health or education of the minor.

Labor laws applicable to adult employees are also generally applicable to minor employees, including workers' compensation insurance requirements.

The child labor laws do not generally apply to minors who deliver newspaper or work at odd jobs, such as yard work and baby-sitting, in private homes where the minor is not regularly employed.

Hours of work:

Age Federal Regulations State Regulations

12-13 Prohibits the non-farm employment of minors under the age 14. Generally cannot work on school days. When school is not in session: daily maximum 8 hours, weekly maximum 40 hours.

14-15 When school is in session: daily maximum 3 hours, weekly maximum 18 hours, except 23 hours if student is in work experience program. (Generally may not work during school hours except in work experience). When school is not in session: daily maximum 8 hours. Same as federal regulations.

16-17 Same as for adults - state standard prevails. School day maximum 4 hours. May be permitted 8 hours maximum on school days immediately preceeding non-school days. Work experience education students.

Spread of hours:

12-13 See 1, above. Work must be performed between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. except June 1 thru Labor Day when the hour is extended till 9 p.m.

14-15 Work must be performed between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. except June 1 thru Labor Day when the hour is extended till 9 p.m. Same as federal regulations.

16-17 Same as for adults - state standard prevails. Work must be performed between 5 a.m. and 10 p.m. except that work may extend to one-half hour past midnight on nights preceeding non-school days, and students in work experience programs may be authorized to work until one-half hour past midnight on nights preceeding school days.

A day of rest from work is required if the total hours employed per week exceeds 30 or more than 6 hours are worked on any one day during that week.

Prohibited hazardous occupations for minors under 18 by the federal FLSA:

Explosives
Power-driven woodworking machines
Radiation exposure
Power-driven hoists/forklift
Power saws and shears Motor vehicle driving/outside helper
Power-driven metal forming, punching and shear machines
Other mining
Wrecking, demolition Coal mining
Power-driven meat slicing/processing machines and most slaughtering
Power baking machines
Roofing Logging and saw milling
Power-driven paper products/paper-bailing machines
Manufacturing brick, tile products
Excavation

Age	Federal Regulations	State Regulations
12-13	Prohibits the non-farm employment of minors under the age 14.	Generally cannot work on school days. When school is not in session: daily maximum 8 hours, weekly maximum 40 hours.
14-15	When school is in session: daily maximum 3 hours, weekly maximum 18 hours, except 23 hours if student is in work experience program. (Generally may not work during school hours except in work experience). When school is not in session: daily maximum 8 hours.	Same as federal regulations.
16-17	Same as for adults - state standard prevails.	School day maximum 4 hours. May be permitted 8 hours maximum on school days immediately preceeding non-school days. Work experience education students.

12-13	See 1, above.	Work must be performed between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. except June 1 thru Labor Day when the hour is extended till 9 p.m.
14-15	Work must be performed between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. except June 1 thru Labor Day when the hour is extended till 9 p.m.	Same as federal regulations.
16-17	Same as for adults - state standard prevails.	Work must be performed between 5 a.m. and 10 p.m. except that work may extend to one-half hour past midnight on nights preceeding non-school days, and students in work experience programs may be authorized to work until one-half hour past midnight on nights preceeding school days.