Effective June 17, 2022, New Hampshire’s child labor law is amended to:
- Repeal restrictions on youths who work more than two nights in a week;
- Lower the age at which minors may be employed to clean tables, remove empty containers and glasses, and assist in stocking from 15 years to 14 years in dining areas and from 16 years to 14 years in lounge areas; and
- Update the restriction on the number of hours worked for minors ages 16 or 17, who are enrolled in school during an employer’s predetermined designated workweek (when school is in session for five days), to no more than 35 hours during that workweek.
Next Steps for Employers
Employers should become familiar with these changes and determine whether they want to adjust their practices including types or work assigned to minors and scheduling of work hours for minors.
Employers must also ensure that in accordance with state law, a Youth Employment Certificate for any youth 12 to 15 years old is on file at the employer’s place of business within three business days of the first day of employment. For minors aged 16 and 17, employers are required to have on file at the workplace, at the time employment begins, written permission by the parent or guardian of a 16- or 17-year-old permitting the youth’s employment.
