From the Hotline

By Teri Henning, General Counsel
Pennsylvania Newspaper Association

Q: We are considering using minors to solicit newspaper subscriptions door to door. Are there any Pennsylvania laws relating to youth “crewing”?

A: Yes. Under Pennsylvania law, “youth peddling” is defined to include door-to-door sales by minors. It does not include minors engaged in the delivery of newspapers to consumers at their residences, but most likely would include the soliciting of newspaper subscriptions.

Under the law, minors under the age of 16 cannot conduct “youth peddling” except under certain conditions, including that: 1) a signed consent has been obtained from the minor's parent or guardian; 2) appropriate adult supervision is provided; 3) the youth peddling ends by 6 p.m. on any day; 4) the minor is engaged in youth peddling on only those days and during those hours set forth in the child labor laws; and ; 5) school officers charged with issuing employment certificates approve the employment of minors to conduct youth peddling.

Given the close supervision that is required for “youth peddlers” under 16, it may be difficult to establish or maintain “independent contractor” status with these minors.

Many municipalities also have local ordinances relating to door-to-door solicitations. You should review these ordinances closely before engaging in any door-to-door selling.

For more information about Pennsylvania’s child labor laws as they relate to newspapers, [CLICK HERE]

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