Child Labor Laws in Minnesota

In Minnesota, the state’s Child Labor Standards Act governs the employment of its minors. The law’s main objective is to aid in the economic and educational development of young people while protecting them from working in hazardous or detrimental occupations. Some key provisions of the state law include defining the minimum working age, work permit requirements, strict limitations on working hours, and a list of occupations where minors must not work. It is mandatory for all employers to comply with both state and federal laws, and always adhere to the stricter rule when the two differ, protecting the interests of minors.  

How the State Regulates Child Labor

The state of Minnesota has established rules and regulations to govern youth employment. These are as follows:

• Minimum Age: All individuals aged 14 and above are allowed to seek employment in Minnesota. 
• Work Permits: The state mandates that minors below 16 years of age must have an Employment Certificate or work permit to get employed.
• Hour Restrictions: The law defines maximum daily and weekly hours and time-of-day curfews for all minors. However, they vary from age to age and whether school is in session.
• Hazardous Occupations: Both state and federal laws identify some job types and tasks that are too dangerous for minors to perform and must to be employed in these areas.

Relation to Federal Law

Employers in Minnesota must comply with both state and federal laws, particularly as outlined in the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). However, when the laws differ, employers must follow the stricter rules to protect the interests of minors. For instance, in Minnesota, the federal law is more restrictive for 14- and 15-year-olds during the school year. It limits their work hours to 3 per day and 18 per week, and sets a 7:00 PM curfew. Minnesota employers must abide by these stricter federal rules, despite the state law allowing higher limits.

Minimum Working Age in Minnesota

In Minnesota, the general minimum working age is 14 years. However, some exceptions do exist for those under 14 years of age. These include:

• Delivering newspapers (at least 11 years old) 
• Working on an agricultural farm (at least 12 years old, with parental consent) 
• Working in the entertainment industry 
• Youth athletic program referee (at least 11 years old, with parental consent) 

Work Permits for Minors in Minnesota

As per the state laws, minors under 16 years of age must obtain an employment certificate before legally working for any company. Meanwhile, 16 and 17-year-olds do not require a work permit. 

The process to obtain a permit is as follows:

• The minor receives an “Intention to Employ” form for the employer.
• The minor, their parent/guardian, and the employer complete the form.
• The minor then submits the form to the school district, which, in turn, issues the official employment certificate.

It’s important to note that all employers must maintain a record of this certificate in their system throughout the minor’s employment tenure.

Hour Restrictions for Minors in Minnesota

The state has different work hour restrictions for different age groups.

For Minors Aged 14 and 15:

• During the School Year (stricter federal rules apply):
  • A maximum of 3 hours on a school day or 18 hours per school week 
  • Must only work between 7:00 AM and 7:00 PM
  • Must not work during school hours.
• During Summer Vacation (June 1 to Labor Day):
  • A maximum of 8 hours per day or 40 hours per week
  • Must only work between 7:00 AM and 9:00 PM 

For Minors Aged 16 and 17:

• Hours: No such state or federal restriction on the number of daily or weekly hours.
• Time of Day (State Law):

• • Must not work after 11:00 PM on nights preceding a school day or before 5:00 AM on a school day.
  • Must have a written parental permission if working hours are expanded to 11:30 PM and 4:30 AM.
  • No time-of-day restrictions on non-school nights.
  • High school graduates who are 17 years old have no work hour restrictions.

Prohibited Jobs for Minors in Minnesota

Both state and federal laws restrict minors from working in the following listed hazardous occupations.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Violating child labor laws in Minnesota can lead to significant financial penalties for employers.

• Parental Liabilities: The legal responsibility for compliance lies with the employer. Parents/guardians only provide consent for work permits and late-night hours, and are generally held responsible for employer violations.
• Employer Penalties:

• • Civil Penalties: The DLI can assess fines for each violation per employee. Fines range from $250 for failing to have proof of age, to $500 for most hour and age violations, and $1,000 for employing a minor in a hazardous occupation.
  • Enhanced Penalties: If a minor suffers injuries while employed in a hazardous job, the penalty is $5,000.
  • Criminal Penalties: Repeated violation of the Child Labor Act is considered a misdemeanor.

HR Notifications and Documentations

HRs must maintain proper records of all minors employed in their compay for compliance purposes.