From the Hotline

By Teri Henning
Pennsylvania Newspaper Association

What hours can a youth carrier work under Pennsylvania Law? 

Didn’t I hear that the General Assembly was considering making changes to the child labor law?

A: Pennsylvania’s “Child Labor Law” has been in existence since 1916. Its purpose is to provide for the safety and well-being of minors who work. Among other things, the law sets the minimum age, work hours, and required paperwork for minors.

The law contains a number of provisions that regulate your employees who are under the age of eighteen (18), including some specific rules that apply to minors selling or distributing newspapers.

Although a bill has been introduced in the General Assembly that would make some changes to the child labor laws, it has been referred to a Senate Committee and has not yet been passed. The new law, as it is currently written, would maintain the 5 a.m. start time for youth carriers. It would also permit these newspaper carriers to work seven consecutive days (the current law limits minors to working 6 consecutive days).

General Rules Regarding Work Hours

Generally speaking, minors must be at least fourteen (14) years old to work for an employer. One significant exception to this rule applies to minors who sell or distribute newspapers. The minimum age for news carriers is eleven (11) years of age. 

Different work rules apply to minors, depending upon the age of the worker and the function that they are performing for the newspaper. With respect to newspaper carriers, there are two categories: Category I (news carriers who are 11, 12,13 and 14); and Category II (news carriers who are 15, 16, and 17).

News Carriers who are 11, 12, 13 and 14

News carriers who are 11, 12, 13 and 14 cannot work before 5 am or after 8 p.m. on any day. They can work up to 6 consecutive days in any one week. During the school year, they can only work 4 hours on a school day, and 8 hours on any other day. They can only work 18 hours during a school week (Monday through Friday). Since they can only work 8 hours on a non-school day, news carriers who are 11, 12, 13 and 14 cannot work more than 16 hours on the weekend. They cannot work during school hours. During a non-school week, they can work up to a maximum of 44 hours a week. They cannot work more than 5 hours without an uninterrupted 30 minute break.

News carriers who are 15, 16 and 17

These employees can work for up to 51 hours a week and up to 9 hours a day. They can work up to six consecutive days in any one week. They cannot work more than 5 hours without an uninterrupted 30 minute break. Newspaper carriers who are 15 cannot work before 5:00 a.m. or after 8:00 p.m. on any day. 

Penalties

An employer who violates Pennsylvania’s child labor law can be fined $200 to $400 for a first offense, and $750 to $1500 for subsequent offenses. Subsequent offenses could also result in imprisonment for up to 10 days. 

The above answer is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all labor laws that apply to your employment of minors. If you have any questions or need additional information, please call our Legal Hotline at (717) 703-3080, or your own counsel.