As students head back to the classroom and adjust to working after-school jobs, state officials are reminding employers, parents, and young workers of their obligations and protections under Pennsylvania’s Child Labor Act.
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The reminder from the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry comes after state regulators investigated 1,265 child labor cases in 2025. The investigations found 231 companies in violation of state law.
The Child Labor Act is enforced by the department’s Bureau of Labor Law Compliance.
According to officials, the Child Labor Act establishes clear conditions for legal employment by restricting hazardous job duties, capping working hours, mandating work permits, and requiring breaks.
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The legislation mandates regulations for teenage workers based on factors including age, school status, hours worked, type of employment, and permit requirements.
Employers, parents, and young employees are advised to review the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry’s full Child Labor Act documentation for detailed specifics before a minor starts working.
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Details from state officials:
Work Restrictions for Minors Under 14
Minors under 14 years of age may not be employed or permitted to work in any occupation, with some very limited exceptions.
Work Restrictions for 14- and 15-Year-Olds
When school is in session, 14- and 15-year-olds may only work between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., with a maximum of three hours per school day and 18 hours per school week (Monday-Friday).
Work Restrictions for 16- and 17-Year-Olds
When school is in session, 16- and 17-year-olds may only work between 6 a.m. and 12 a.m., with a maximum of eight hours per school day and 40 hours per school week (Monday-Friday).
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Prohibited Occupations
Minors are prohibited from working in occupations deemed hazardous under state and federal law. These include jobs involving dangerous machinery, elevated workspaces, demolition, and other unsafe conditions.
Examples of prohibited tasks can be found online and include:
- Serving or dispensing alcoholic beverages
- Crane operation
- Electrical installation or repair
- Excavation
- Roofing
- Woodworking with power tools
- Wrecking and demolition work
Child Entertainment Permits
Children working or volunteering as performers are afforded special protections under state law, such as required breaks. Employers of child performers must apply for entertainment permits on behalf of each child performer, including those who perform live at Halloween-themed attractions. The BLLC approves permits that meet the requirements of the Act; haunted attraction operators must submit an approved safety plan before applying for permits for performers under the age of 18.
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Reporting Violations
The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry Bureau of Labor Law Compliance investigates potential violations of the Child Labor Act and other labor laws. Workers, parents, employers, school officials, co-workers, and members of the public may submit a complaint through the online form on L&I’s website.