Maine Department of Labor Revises Rules for Minors under the Age of Eighteen in Non-Agricultural Employment

August 20, 2018

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 20, 2018

Media Contact: Laura Hudson, 207-621-5009

AUGUSTA – Maine Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Standards has revised Chapter 11 of Rules Governing the Rules Governing Hazardous Occupations for Minors under the Age of Eighteen in Non-Agricultural Employment. Modification of Chapter 11 aligns state rules governing hazardous occupations with federal standards for minors under the age of 18.

The state has adopted the following changes, that went into effect August 19, 2018:

Driving restrictions to allow 17 years of age to drive for work under specific circumstances and conditions.

Minors that are at least 16 years of age will no longer be prohibited from working alone in a cash-based business, and will be allowed to perform soldering and welding duties in accordance with federal standards.

Expanded cooking occupations for minors that are between 14 and 15 years of age to include venues allowed by federal standards.

A new restriction is being added in accordance with 26 MRS §772 (2) which prohibits all minors under the age of 18 from working in any occupation in a registered marijuana dispensary, any establishment that cultivates, produces, or sells marijuana or products that contain marijuana, and any recreational marijuana social clubs.

View the adopted changes to the rules at: https://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/rules/12/chaps12.htm

The Bureau of Labor Standards helps workers and businesses make their worksites safer; upholds standards for minimum wages, child labor and other practices; and gathers information on the rapidly changing world of work in Maine today—and in the future.

The Maine Department of Labor is an equal opportunity provider. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.

-end-