Working Under Eighteen
S.C. Code 41-13-20 and S.C. Code 41-13-25 — rules no stricter than the federal ones, a warning first or up to a thousand dollars
No employer in South Carolina may engage in oppressive child labor practices. The Director of the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation writes the regulations that prohibit them.
No stricter than federal law. Those regulations may not be more restrictive or burdensome than the applicable federal laws and regulations. The hours and jobs open to a minor are set there, not in the Code itself.
- A first offense: a written warning, or a fine of up to $1,000.
- A second or later offense: a fine of up to $5,000 for each one.
Those are the penalties for an employer who breaks a child labor regulation, set by the size of the business, the gravity of the violation, good faith and the employer's history.
The director's findings are final unless the employer asks in writing for a review within thirty days of receiving notice by certified mail. A particular job is a question for the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation.
Sources for this section (2)
- S.C. Code 41-13-20 — Oppressive child labor practices prohibited
- S.C. Code 41-13-25 — Penalties for violating child labor regulations
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed South Carolina attorney.