New Rules for Employment of Minors in Maryland

Maryland’s Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation (DLLR) has issued new requirements related to the employment of minors.

The Minor Fact Sheet, which must be posted by every employer who employs minors, has been updated to reflect these changes. It includes additional occupations that are forbidden to all minors, as well as new restrictions for minors 14 and 15 years of age. The fact sheet has a new revision date of 3/2019.

What’s Changing for Minors?

Applying for a Work Permit

The Minor Fact Sheet now states that parents or guardians can complete a work permit application. The previous instructions only mentioned minors. The website for applying online and printing a copy of the work permit has not changed (www.dllr.state.md.us/childworkpermit). In order for a permit to be valid, it must still be signed by the minor, the minor’s parent or guardian, and the employer.

Hazardous Occupations Forbidden to All Minors

The list of hazardous occupations that all minors may not engage in now includes the following:

  • Occupations involved in excavation operations
  • Occupations in places that manufacture or store explosives

Above the list, one exception to the hazardous occupations has been added: youth apprenticeship.

Employment Restrictions for Minors Age 14 and 15

Areas of employment that are restricted for 14- and 15-year-old minors now include occupations in, about, or in connection with the following:

  • Hoisting apparatus
  • Public messaging service
  • Certain poultry activities
  • Certain baking and cooking activities
  • Transportation of persons or property

PCC Makes Compliance Easy!

At this time, there are no other changes to the Maryland poster. If you have not already done so, we encourage you to order our 1-Year Compliance Plan, so that you will automatically receive the updated Maryland poster as soon as it is available. And because we provide free poster updates for mandatory changes, no matter how many occur during the plan year, you can always count on Poster Compliance Center to keep your business in compliance!