April 22, 2025

Massachusetts Child Labor Law Reminder

With the summer season fast approaching, thousands of summer jobs are set to be filled by our youth as the Commonwealth’s school year comes to an end.  Retailers are reminded of the state’s child labor laws enforced by the Office of Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell.   

• Minimum wage: The minimum wage in Massachusetts is $15 an hour. Even workers under 18 should be paid at least $15 an hour.
• Under 14: Minors under 14 may not work.  There are limited exceptions, such as baby-sitting, news carrier, farm work, or working in entertainment (special waiver).
• Work Permit: All workers ages 14-18 are required to obtain a Youth Employment Permit prior to employment.  Employers must keep the original work permit at the minor’s workplace as long as the minor works there or until the minor reaches age 18.  Minors 14 and 15 years of age must also have their doctor complete a Physician’s Certificate of Health within the previous 12 months of the date the minor applies for a work permit.
• Hazardous Jobs: Teens under 18 years of age may not do certain kinds of dangerous work. 
• Supervision: After 8 p.m., all workers under 18 must have the direct and immediate supervision of an adult supervisor who is located in the workplace and is reasonably accessible to the minor.
• Legal Work Hours for Minors: Massachusetts law controls how early and how late minors may work and how many hours they may work, based on their age.  Members should note that these restrictions may vary when school is not in session.  
• Penalties: Convictions for employing, inducing, or permitting any minor to work in violation of child labor laws are subject to a criminal fine of $500-$5,000 and/or up to one month in prison for each offense.  In addition, civil citations for child labor law violations may be issued in amounts of up to $250 for a first offense, $500 for a second offense, and up to $2,500 for a third and subsequent offense, including up to three years of past violations.

For a complete list of restrictions contained in the law please visit the Attorney General’s website.

MassCEC Seeks Site Hosts for
EV Charging Expansion

The MA Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) has launched a new program to expand EV charging access across the Commonwealth.  The Ride Clean Mass Charging Hubs (RCM Hubs) program is seeking businesses and municipalities that are interested in hosting 5-7 strategically located EV charging hubs across MA.  Eligible site hosts include, but aren't limited to, grocery stores, gas stations, hotels, hospitals, and other high-traffic locations (shopping centers or large retail locations).  Hosts can receive over $1 million in state-funded investment to install public fast chargers and support clean transportation. The MassCEC is prioritizing applications submitted before May 15th. 

 
Program info can be found at: Ride Clean Mass Charging Hubs | MassCEC
 

Alliance of State Retail Associations
401(k) Plan & Trust Webinar

The Alliance of State Retail Associations is dedicated to continually enhancing its offerings, so RAM members have access to the most dynamic programs, products, and services in the marketplace. 

That’s why the Alliance of State Retail Associations partnered with Transamerica to offer members a competitive retirement plan designed to help employees improve their retirement readiness. 

Explore the benefits of joining the Alliance of State Retail Associations 401(k) Plan & Trust during an upcoming webinar hosted by Transamerica. They include: 

• Fewer plan administrative duties
• Reduced fiduciary liability
• Streamlined costs
• Online account management
• Employee education and communication support

Nineteen state retail associations across the country currently participate with the ASRA 401K Plan.  RAM members constitute the largest group of participants in this important wealth building cooperative program for small business workforces.  Join this webinar to find out why. 
 

The webinar for RAM members will take place April 24 at 1p.m. ET. 

REGISTER NOW

REMINDER: Upcoming Planned EBT Outage