Montana Child Labor Laws
Due to the wide open grasslands of Montana, cattle ranching has long been a major industry. Growth of ranching and farming was facilitated with the arrival of the railroad in the 19th century. This rapid growth underscored the importance of child labor to sustain these areas.
Child Labor Laws in Montana For Minors Under 14
Child labor laws in Montana are administered by the Employment Relations Division (ERD) of the Montana Department of Labor. Work permits are not required for minors of any age, although a certificate of age verification is mandatory.
Those younger than 14 may not work, except in certain capacities. They may work in non-hazardous jobs in agriculture and incidental domestic services with written consent and supervision by a parent or guardian. Casual work for a home owner and entertainment, such as acting, modeling, and performing music is also acceptable.
All minors under 14 may work delivering or collecting newspapers, periodicals, or circulars, doing volunteer community non-fund raising, as a legislative aide, and as an official or referee for a nonprofit athletic organization. Youth younger than 14 may not officiate at adult events.
Child Labor Laws in Montana For Minors 14 and 15 Years Old
All minors 14 and 15 may work delivering or collecting newspapers, periodicals, or circulars, doing volunteer community non-fund raising, as a legislative aide, and as an official or referee for a nonprofit athletic organization. Those 14 and 15 may not work in certain areas, including:
- Communications
- Public utilities
- Construction
- Manufacturing
- Meat coolers and freezers, and preparation of meat
- Silo work in an oxygen-deficient atmosphere
- Work for a ladder or scaffold 20 feet or higher
- Working with timber with a diameter of nine inches or more
- Handling toxic chemicals
- Work with blasting agents
Minors in this age group may not work in an establishment which serves or sells alcohol for consumption. Below is a list of Hazardous Occupations from which all minors are prohibited.
Montana Child Labor Law outlines restrictions including:
When public school is in session:
- No working during school hours
- No more than three hours per day
- A maximum of 18 hours per week
- No earlier than 7am or later than 7pm
- May work up to 23 hours per week in a school supervised work program
When public school is not in session:
- No more than eight hours per day
- A maximum of 40 hours per week
- No earlier than 7am or later than 9pm between June 1 and Labor Day
- May work up to 23 hours per week in a school supervised work program
Child Labor Laws in Montana For Minors 16 and 17 Years Old
All minors 16 and 17 may work delivering or collecting newspapers, periodicals, or circulars, doing volunteer community non-fund raising, as a legislative aide, and as an official or referee for a nonprofit athletic organization. Minors 16 and 17 may work in a variety of jobs with the exception of Hazardous Occupations disallowed to all minors under 18, as follows:
- Work with Power-Driven Machinery
- Work with Explosives
- Mining
- Exposure to Radioactive Substances
- Slaughtering/Meat Packing/Processing
- Demolition/Wrecking
- Roofing
- Excavation
- Manufacturing Brick or Tile
- Riding Outside a Motor Vehicle
Montana Child Labor Law details restrictions, including:
When public school is in session:
- No hours restriction
- A maximum of eight hours per day
- No more than 40 hours per week
When public school is not in session:
- No hours restriction
- A maximum of eight hours per day
- No more than 40 hours per week
Minors 16 and 17 enrolled in federal or state apprenticeship programs or who have graduated from high school or its equivalent are exempt from typical limitations. Those in this age group may not work in an establishment which serves or sells alcohol for consumption.
