No, child labor under age 14 is not legal in Ohio under any circumstances. Ohio Revised Code § 4109.03 prohibits minors under 14 from employment, with limited exceptions for agricultural or domestic work requiring parental consent and school approval. The Ohio Department of Commerce’s Division of Industrial Compliance enforces these restrictions, aligning with federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) provisions. Violations trigger penalties, including fines up to $1,000 per offense, as updated in the 2024 Ohio Budget Bill.
Key Regulations for Child Labor Under 14 in Ohio
- Minimum Age Requirement: Employment is strictly prohibited for children under 14, except in non-hazardous agricultural or domestic tasks with parental and school district approval.
- Work Permit System: Minors aged 14–15 must obtain an employment certificate from the Ohio Department of Education, verifying age and parental consent before hiring.
- Hour Restrictions: Even for permitted work, minors under 16 face strict limits—no more than 3 hours on school days, 8 hours on non-school days, and no work during school hours or after 7 p.m. (9 p.m. June 1–Labor Day).