Who enforces child labor laws?

Federal child labor laws are enforced by the Hour and Wage Division of the U.S. Department of Labor, states the agency. Some states have additional child labor laws that are enforced by those states' departments of labor.

Employers violating child labor laws may face civil or criminal penalties, states the U.S. Department of Labor. As of 2015, the civil penalty may be up to $11,000 for each violation and $50,000 for violations that result in the injury or death of a minor. For criminal charges, violators may face a fine of up to $10,000 on the first offense. The second offense may result in a $10,000 fine, six months in prison or both.