Effective July 31, 2023, the Arkansas Youth Hiring Act (AR HB 1410) repealed the requirement for minors under 16 to obtain permission from the Arkansas Department of Labor to get a job. The bill is also cited as “restoring decision-making to parents concerning their children” and “streamlining the hiring process for children under sixteen (16) years of age.” Due to this change, minors under 16 will not be required to get an employment certificate as a condition of employment. However, the law does not change prohibitions on allowing 14- and 15-year-olds to work in certain dangerous or hazardous occupations, nor does it change the hours these minors can work.
Next Steps for Employers
For additional information on child labor laws, including required work permits, types of permitted work, hours of work and rates of pay, employers are encouraged to visit the Arkansas Department of Labor’s website.
