Child Labour Laws in Pennsylvania

The Department of Labor & Industry’s Bureau of Labor Law Compliance enforces Pennsylvania’s Child Labor Act. It sets the rules for hiring anyone under the age of 18 years. The law requires minors aged 14 to 17 to have a work permit, prohibits them from working in hazardous occupations, and enforces strict limits on their working hours. Employers must follow both federal and state rules, and always adhere to the stricter standards when the two differ to protect the rights of minors. 

Let’s take a deeper look at Pennsylvania’s child labor laws.

How the State Regulates Child Labor

The state of Pennsylvania regulates the employment of minors via a strict system of work permits, age-specific work hour limits, and a detailed list of restricted job duties. 

• Work Permits: As mentioned above, all minors aged 14 to 17 must obtain a work permit from their local school district before starting a job.
• Hour Limitations: The state law has set different working time limits for different ages, and on a daily and weekly basis, to ensure minors are not exploited and overburdened.
• Prohibited Occupations: Both the state and federal governments have categorized certain occupations as too dangerous for minors. No minor must be allowed to work in such occupations unless there is an exception. 

Relation to Federal Law

Pennsylvania’s child labor laws typically mirror or are stricter than the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). For example, in Pennsylvania, minors aged 16 and 17 must have a work permit. However, the same is not mandated by the federal government. 

Additionally, when the state and federal rules differ, the stricter law (or the one that provides maximum protection to the minors) must be followed by all employers. For instance, Pennsylvania has a specific weekly hour cap for 16- and 17-year-olds during the school year, which is restrictive than the federal guidelines.

Minimum Working Age in Pennsylvania

The minimum working age in Pennsylvania is 14. However, some exceptions exist for those under the age of 14. These include those who, 

• Deliver newspapers
• Work as a caddy at a golf course
• Perform household chores or do yard work in a private home
• Work on a family farm
• Work as an actor or performer in the entertainment industry (although they require a special permit).

Work Permits for Minors in Pennsylvania

The process for obtaining a work permit in Pennsylvania is as follows:

• After obtaining a job offer, the minor must apply for a work permit with the school district by filling out the necessary form(s).
• The form or application must be signed by the minor’s parent or legal guardian.
• The minor must also provide proof of age, such as a birth certificate or passport.
• They must then submit the completed application to the school district and request a work permit.

Parents or guardians of minors under 16 must also provide a written statement acknowledging the duties and hours of employment.

Hour Restrictions for Minors in Pennsylvania

In Pennsylvania, the work hour limits vary as per age and whether school is in session. 

For Minors Aged 14 and 15 :

• During the School Year:
  • A maximum of 3 hours on a school day or 18 hours per school week
  • Must not work between 7 PM and 7 AM
• During School Vacations:
  • A maximum of 8 hours per day or 40 hours per week 
  • Must not work between 9 PM and 7 AM (or until 9 PM from June 1 to Labor Day as per the federal law)

For Minors Aged 16 and 17:

• During the School Year:
  • A minimum of 8 hours per day or 28 hours per school week (Monday-Friday), with an additional 8 hours allowed on the weekends.
  • Must not work between 12 AM (midnight) and 6 AM
• During School Vacations:
  • A maximum of 10 hours per day or 48 hours per week
  • Must not work between 1 AM and 6 AM

All minors are entitled to receive a 30-minute break every five consecutive hours of work.

Prohibited Jobs for Minors in Pennsylvania

The state and the federal government have classified some occupations as hazardous for minors. These are as follows.  

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Any violation of Pennsylvania’s child labor laws can result in significant fines and penalties for employers. 

• Parental Liabilities: Although parents grant permission for minors to work, it is the employer’s duty to ensure the safety of minors. Hence, penalties must be borne by the employer.  
• Employer Penalties:

• • Fines: As per the legislation passed by the Pennsylvania House in 2025 (H.B. 118), it is proposed that penalties must be doubled for child labor violations. If this gets enacted, a first offense would result in a fine of up to $1,000, and subsequent offenses would cost up to $3,000 per violation.
  • Criminal Charges: Willful violations of the Child Labor Act can result in criminal prosecution, including a jail term of up to 10 days.

HR Notifications and Documentation

All companies and their HR departments must maintain proper records to ensure compliance with Pennsylvania’s child labor laws.