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On May 31, 2011, Maine Governor Paul LePage signed into law legislation easing restrictions on the state’s standards for child labor. Originally, the proposed legislation sought to remove all hour restrictions on 17-year-old employees, as well as summer work restrictions on 16-year-old employees. This sparked a lengthy debate among lawmakers.
Ultimately, many of the more controversial elements were struck from the legislation. As passed, the law increases the number of hours sixteen and seventeen-year-old employees can work during the school year from 20 to 24 hours per week. The law also raises the number of hours a minor may work per day from four hours to six hours. The law also permits minors to work until 10:15 pm on school nights.
The new law goes into effect 90 days after the adjournment of the Maine Legislature.
Photo credit: GRC Visuals