Today the Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division published a final rule addressing a number of issues related to youth employment in non-agricultural occupations. The provisions of the final rule will become effective on July 19, 2010. Thus, employers should pay particular attention to the new rules as they make hiring decisions for the summer, so they will not suddenly find themselves non-compliant in the middle of the summer.

Generally, the new rules implement statutory changes from Congress, recommendations from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), and several Departmental enforcement positions. Selected changes contained in the new rule include:  Incorporating into the regulations statutory changes regarding the assessment of child labor civil money penalties. Civil money penalties for child labor violations can be as high as $11,000 per employee subject to the violation, and up to $50,000 for each violation that causes the death or serious injury of an employee under 18 years of age ($100,000 if the violation is repeated or willful) (click on link to read full story)