Division of Regulation

Child Labor Program

Chris Lee , Program Lead

Educating employers, public school officials, students, parents, and the general public is an integral part of proactive enforcement activities that help prevent future incidents of child labor law violations. This site is designed to help guide teens, parents, employers and educators in their understanding of Florida's child labor laws.

The Child Labor Program enforces the child labor law, Chapter 450, Part I, Florida Statutes, which is designed to protect the health, education and welfare of Florida's working minors in the workplace and to safeguard their education. The program's mission has two primary objectives:

(1) To establish limits on the amount of hours that minors may work, so that minors will be able and available for school; and

(2) To restrict the types of jobs minors may perform for safety reasons.

Information regarding the program may be viewed by selecting the following options.

• Employers If you employ minors between the ages of 14 and 17, view this section for required documents, posters, breaks, and work hour limitations.
• Educators Teachers and Administrators can view their responsibilities under the Child Labor Law.  Learn about worksite agreements, waivers of the law and find a listing of our frequently asked questions.
• Parents & Teens Find out about work permits, hour limitations, breaks, and waivers of the law.
• Entertainment Industry There are special limitations for minors employed in the Entertainment Industry.  Find out what permits are required prior to employment.
• Prohibited Occupations There are both state and federal laws prohibiting minors from employment in certain occupations.
• Safety Information The workplace can be a dangerous environment for teens. View teen safety sites and tips for employers, as well as learn how to reduce workplace injuries.
• Enforcement If you wish to report an alleged violation of the Child Labor Law, contact this office.
• Child Labor Presentations and Training If your business or school would like a member of our team to train you on the Child Labor Law, visit this site for contact information.
• Child Labor Laws Poster Employer’s who hire minors 14-17 years of age are required to post the Florida Child Labor Law Poster.  Access this site for a legal size poster.
• Additional Links for Child Labor Information View various federal agency sites which cover teen safety and health, and hour and hazardous limitations.

Topics of Interest

WHAT IS THE MOST VIOLATED CHILD LABOR LAW IN FLORIDA?

The answer is breaks. Section 450.081.(4), Florida Statutes, provides that minors cannot work more than four (4) continuous hours without a 30 minute uninterrupted break.

• During the period July 1, 2009-June 30, 2010 - Florida's employers of minors were cited with 166 break violations. Florida's Child Labor Investigators provided education and training to the cited employers bringing 99% of the violators into voluntary compliance with the law.