US Department of Labor extends comment period on proposed rule to update child labor regulations

Interested parties may submit comments through Dec. 1

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division has announced a 30-day extension of the comment period for its proposed rule to revise regulations addressing child labor in agricultural and nonagricultural employment under the Fair Labor Standards Act. The rule proposed by the Wage and Hour Division would amend existing FLSA child labor regulations and incorporate into the regulations the enforcement policies the division follows when determining whether to assess a civil money penalty for child labor violations.

On Sept. 2, the department published a notice of proposed rulemaking in 76 Federal Register 54836 with a comment period scheduled to end on Nov. 1. Although many comments have been submitted on the proposal, the department also has received requests to extend the period for filing public comments from members of Congress and various agricultural business organizations.

Because of the interest that has been expressed and the department's desire to obtain as much information about its proposals as possible, the period for submitting public comment on the notice of proposed rulemaking has been extended through Dec. 1. To view the proposed rule and submit comments, visit the federal e-rulemaking portal at http://www.regulations.gov and search by regulation identification number 1235-AA06.

Information about the federal labor laws enforced by the Wage and Hour Division is available in English and Spanish by calling the division's toll-free helpline at 866-4US-WAGE (487-9243), or by visiting its website at http://www.dol.gov/whd/.