During its recently completed legislative session, the Utah Legislature passed amendments to some of the state’s laws governing the employment of minors. Specifically, Senate Bill 248 amended permitted hours of work and modified permitted occupations for minors.
Under the new law, a minor under 16 years old is not permitted to work:
-
More than three hours in one school day
-
More than 18 hours in one school week
-
More than eight hours in one calendar day
-
More than 40 hours in one calendar week
-
Before 7:00 a.m. or after 7:00 p.m. unless the work is performed between June 1 and Labor Day; then, the minor can work until 9:00 p.m.
The updates removed public messenger service as a permitted occupation for minors 14 years old or older. For minors 12 years old or older, only delivery of newspapers to consumers, baby-sitting, agricultural occupations that are not hazardous, and any other occupation not determined harmful by the division are permitted occupations. Authorized occupations for minors 10 years old are delivery of newspapers to customers, caddying, and any occupation not determined harmful by the division.
Additionally, the new bill allows for acting or performing in a motion picture, a theatrical production, a performing arts production, a radio broadcast, or a television production to be permitted occupations with no specific age limitation. Minors employed in those occupations are not bound by the same working hours limitations as other permitted occupations.
This law will take effect on May 1, 2024. Employers Council can assist Consulting and Enterprise members with any questions about the new law. Contact us at info@employerscouncil.org.
Brandon Garrett is an employment law staff attorney for Employers Council.