No, child labor under age 14 is not legal in Kansas except under extremely limited exceptions. Kansas aligns with federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) provisions, which prohibit employment of children under 14 outside of specific agricultural or entertainment industry roles. Local enforcement by the Kansas Department of Labor (KDOL) and federal Wage and Hour Division (WHD) scrutinizes violations, particularly in light of 2026’s proposed DOL rule tightening child labor protections nationwide.
Key Regulations for Child Labor Under 14 in Kansas
- Agricultural Exemptions: Minors under 14 may work in non-hazardous farm tasks outside school hours with parental consent, per Kansas Statutes § 38-606 and federal FLSA § 13(c)(2). However, hazardous agricultural work remains prohibited.
- Entertainment Industry: The Kansas Department of Labor issues permits for minors under 14 in film, theater, or modeling, with strict hour limits (max 3 hours on school days) and mandatory school-day attendance verification.
- Prohibited Occupations: Kansas enforces federal hazardous occupation orders (29 CFR Part 570), banning under-14 labor in mining, logging, meatpacking, and manufacturing, even in family businesses.
Enforcement actions by KDOL’s Wage and Hour Unit have escalated, with 2024 fines exceeding $2.1 million for violations involving underage workers in Kansas. Employers must retain parental consent forms and work hour logs for audits, as 2026’s pending DOL rule may expand documentation requirements. Non-compliance risks civil penalties up to $15,138 per minor under the FLSA.