Child Labor Law of 2024 (SB3646) - Summary

• Repeals prior child labor law and establishes comprehensive protections for minors under 16, requiring employment certificates issued by school officials before any minor can work legally in Illinois.

• Prohibits minors from working in hazardous occupations including construction, manufacturing, mining, operation of machinery, facilities serving alcohol or cannabis, and other dangerous conditions; restricts work hours to maximum 18 hours weekly during school and 40 hours when school is not in session.

• Requires employers to maintain minor employment records on-site, ensure adult supervision, provide meal breaks, post workplace notices, and report work-related deaths or injuries to the Department of Labor within 24-72 hours.

• Establishes trust account requirements for child performers and vloggers, mandating at least 15% of gross earnings be set aside for minors until age 18, with minors featured in vlogs gaining private right of action for violations.

• Creates civil penalties up to $60,000 for deaths and $30,000 for injuries of illegally employed minors, criminal Class A misdemeanor penalties, and establishes an enforcement fund for administration and outreach.