Sylvia Bokyung St. Clair Discusses Statewide Child Labor Law Updates With Law360

Labor and employment partner Sylvia Bokyung St. Clair connected with Law360 to discuss the complex compliance landscape of statewide child labor laws. A handful of states have recently tightened these laws by reducing the number of hours young people can work or making other changes, while other states have loosened restrictions.

Since January of this year, Indiana has allowed 16- and 17-year-olds to work the same hours and days as adults, and 14- and-15-year-olds to work later during the summer.

St. Clair said employers must remember that federal requirements are no looser in places like Indiana. "Your compliance with state law alone will not immunize you from penalties that could be assessed under federal law," she said.

When dealing with restrictions on hours, St. Clair said employers should pay attention to any qualifying language, such as requirements on school days versus non-school days and during the school year versus the summer.