On May 19, 2010, the U.S. Department of Labor announced the publication of final regulations concerning child labor. Included in the regulations are increased penalties for child labor violations.

The maximum penalty for repeatedly or willfully violating the Fair Labor Standard Act’s minimum wage and maximum hours provisions, relating to wages, increased from $1,000 to $1,100 per violation.

Additionally, a new penalty provision was added for violations causing death or serious injury to an employee under the age of 18. Accordingly, violators can be subject to a maximum civil penalty of:

• $50,000 for each violation; or
• $100,000 for repeated or willful violations.

The regulations define “serious injury” as:

• permanent loss or substantial impairment of one of the senses (sight, hearing, taste, smell, tactile sensation);
• permanent paralysis or substantial impairment of the function of a bodily member, organ, or mental faculty, including the loss of all or part of an arm, leg, foot, hand, or other body part; or
• permanent paralysis of substantial impairment that causes loss of movement or mobility of an arm, leg, foot, hand or other body part.

The new regulations and penalties will take effect July 19, 2010.

This entry was written by Stacey James.