Summary of laws
Massachusetts laws regulating minors' work hours, Mass. Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development.
Includes both federal and state laws.
Massachusetts laws
MGL. c. 149, §§ 56-105 Work by children
Federal laws
29 USC § 212 Child labor provisions
See also Youth and labor, U.S. Dept. of Labor.
Selected cases
Carey's Case, 66 Mass.App.Ct. 749 (2006)
"'The purpose of G. L. c. 149, § 62, is to prevent minors under eighteen from being exposed to dangers which they might not fully realize on account of their youth, inexperience, lack of foresight and want of restraint.'"
Commonwealth v. Avram A., 83 Mass.App.Ct. 208 (2013)
Juvenile could be required to work to pay restitution. "[W]e ... reject the juvenile's suggestion that he should be excused from paying restitution because it is contrary to contemporary mores or even 'taboo' to permit a juvenile of twelve to sixteen years to earn money by obtaining a paper route, mowing lawns, raking leaves, shoveling snow, baby-sitting, delivering groceries, or by recycling items upon which a deposit had been paid."
Web sources
Child labor laws in Massachusetts, Mass.gov.
Poster that summarizes the law. A Spanish version is available.
Handy reference guide to the Fair Labor Standards Act, U.S. Dept. of Labor.
Summarizes the child labor provisions in the FLSA.
How old must a child be to babysit in Massachusetts?, Mass. Trial Court Law Libraries.
We have been unable to find an applicable Massachusetts law. According to the US Department of Labor:
"The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) sets 14 as the minimum age for most non-agricultural work. However, at any age, youth may deliver newspapers; perform in radio, television, movie, or theatrical productions; work in businesses owned by their parents (except in mining, manufacturing or hazardous jobs); and perform babysitting or perform minor chores around a private home. Also, at any age, youth may be employed as homeworkers to gather evergreens and make evergreen wreaths."
Massachusetts guide for working teens, Mass. Dept. of Public Health, February 2023.
Explains rights and responsibilities for teenagers working or looking for a job.
Prohibited jobs for minors, Mass. Attorney General.
Working under 18, Mass. Attorney General's Fair Labor Division.
"Child labor laws limit the hours workers under 18 can work and the kinds of jobs that they can do. State law also requires employers to have Youth Employment Permits (work permits) on file for all workers under 18. In Massachusetts, children under 14 may not work, except in very limited cases."
Youth employment permit information, Mass. Dept. of Occupational Safety.
Summarizes child labor laws, and provides access to the necessary work permit application for teens ages 14-17.
YouthRules, U.S. Dept. of Labor.
Provides clear, straightforward answers to common questions and issues. Includes information for young workers, employers and parents.
Print sources
Employment law, Mass. Practice v.45, §§ 16:20 et seq., Thomson West, with supplement.
Labor and employment in Massachusetts, LexisNexis, loose-leaf, § 1-8.
Your rights on the job, pp.48-49, Labor Guild of Boston, 2008.
Additional Resources
Contact for Massachusetts law about child labor
Online
| Last updated: | August 12, 2024 |
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