No, Kids in Texas Can’t Work in Coal Mines: Child Labor Laws Explained

Children can have jobs in Texas, that much is known, but what obligations do businesses have when it comes to minimum wage and appropriate workplace conditions when adding children to the payroll?

Texas Child Labor Laws

The point of having these laws is to ensure that no harm comes to a child's safety, health, or well-being. Once they turn 18, they are considered an adult.

If a business seeks to employ someone under the age of 18, there are some ground rules set by the state. For instance, youth employees must be entitled to overtime pay on top of their minimum wage, and they must be able to work in a non-hazardous environment.

Fun Fact: Although the federal minimum wage is $7.25, businesses in Texas are allowed to pay as low as $4.25 an hour during the first 90 days of the youth's job. Oh yeah, tips are also allowed for kids.

Restrictions Under Child Labor Laws

In Texas, a child who is 14 or 15 years of age cannot legally work during school hours and cannot work more than 40 hours a week. This number lowers to 18 hours a week from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. during the school year.

It is illegal for children under the age of 14 to work. Certain exceptions to this include child actors in the entertainment industry and some agricultural occupations.

Parents who own businesses can employ their children who are under 14 years old as long as it's not related to manufacturing, mining, or something else included in the U.S. Department of Labor's list of hazardous occupations.

U.S. Hazardous Occupations

In Texas and the rest of the country, children 17 years old and younger cannot, without question, work certain jobs called "hazardous occupations" (HO).

You can see the full list of hazardous occupations here, but some notable examples include the following:

• Handling explosives
• Operating a motor vehicle
• Coal mining
• Forest fire prevention, logging, forestry services
• Meat packing plants
• Hay balers and compactors
• Demolition or roofing work
• Excavation operations

Hiring children can often be a good fit for your business, but before you consider taking this step, be sure you know the federal and state laws. Otherwise, you'll be subject to serious fines, potential loss of business, or even jail time.