Va. Code Ann. tit. 40.1, ch. 5

Va. Code Ann. tit. 40.1, ch. 5
in effect

Va. Code Ann. § 40.1-78 Employment of children under fourteen and sixteen

A. No child under fourteen years of age shall be employed, permitted or suffered to work in, about or in connection with any gainful occupation except as specified in this chapter. B. No child under sixteen years of age shall be employed, permitted or suffered to work in, about or in connection with any gainful occupation during school hours unless he has reached the age of fourteen and is enrolled in a regular school work-training program and a work-training certificate has been issued for his employment as provided in § 40.1-88 . C. Nothing in this section shall affect the provisions of §§ 40.1-100 A, 40.1-100.1 , 40.1-100.2 , 40.1-101 and 40.1-102 . Code 1950, § 40-96; 1956, c. 567; 1960, c. 434; 1968, c. 264; 1970, c. 321; 1991, c. 511.

Va. Code Ann. § 40.1-79.1 Exemptions from chapter generally; participation in volunteer fire company activities

A. Any county, city or town may authorize by ordinance any person residing anywhere in the Commonwealth, aged 16 years or older, who is a member of a volunteer fire company within such county, city, or town with parental or guardian approval, (i) to seek certification under National Fire Protection Association 1001, level one, firefighter standards, as administered by the Department of Fire Programs; and (ii) to work with or participate in activities of such volunteer fire company, provided such person has attained certification under National Fire Protection Association 1001, level one, firefighter standards, as administered by the Department of Fire Programs. Nothing in this chapter shall prohibit participation by such persons in nonhazardous activities of a volunteer fire company, including fire prevention efforts and training courses approved by the Virginia Fire Services Board that are designed to provide situational awareness. Such ordinance shall not require a minor who achieved certification under National Fire Protection Association 1001, level one, firefighter standards, as administered by the Department of Fire Programs, on or before January 1, 2006, between the ages of 15 and 16, to repeat the certification after his sixteenth birthday. B. Any trainer or instructor of such persons mentioned in subsection A and any member of a paid or volunteer fire company who supervises any such persons shall be exempt from the provisions of § 40.1-103 , provided that the provisions of § 40.1-100 have not been violated, when engaged in activities of a volunteer fire company, and provided that the volunteer fire company or the governing body of such county, city or town has purchased insurance which provides coverage for injuries to or the death of such persons in their performance of activities under this section. 1982, c. 344; 1983, c. 123; 1991, c. 511; 2005, c. 151 ; 2006, c. 462 ; 2018, c. 181 .

Va. Code Ann. § 40.1-79.01 Exemptions from chapter generally

A. Nothing in this chapter, except the provisions of subsection A of § 40.1-100 and §§ 40.1-100.1 , 40.1-100.2 , and 40.1-103 , shall apply to: 1. A child engaged in domestic work when such work is performed in connection with the child's own home and directly for his parent or a person standing in place of his parent; 2. A child employed in occasional work performed outside school hours where such work is in connection with the employer's home but not in connection with the employer's business, trade, or profession; 3. A child 12 or 13 years of age employed outside school hours on farms, in orchards, or in gardens with the consent of his parent or a person standing in place of his parent; 4. A child between the ages of 12 and 18 employed as a page or clerk for either the House of Delegates or the Senate of Virginia; 5. A child participating in the activities of a volunteer emergency medical services agency; 6. A child under 16 years of age employed by his parent in an occupation other than manufacturing; or 7. A child 12 years of age or older employed by an eleemosynary organization or unit of state or local government as a referee for sports programs sponsored by that eleemosynary, state, or local organization or by an organization of referees sponsored by an organization recognized by the United States Olympic Committee under 36 U.S.C. § 220522. B. Nothing in this chapter, except §§ 40.1-100.1 , 40.1-100.2 , and 40.1-103 , shall be construed to apply to a child employed by his parent or a person standing in place of his parent on farms, in orchards or in gardens owned or operated by such parent or person. C. Nothing in this chapter, except subsection A of § 40.1-100 and §§ 40.1-100.1 , 40.1-100.2 , 40.1-103 , and 40.1-109.2, shall apply to a child engaged in the work of content creation as described in § 40.1-109.1 . For the purposes of this subsection, a child engaged in the work of content creation shall not be considered to be "employed, permitted, or suffered to work" in any setting described in subsection A of § 40.1-100 solely due to such child's presence in such setting, provided that: 1. Such child is not exposed to a hazard capable of causing serious physical harm or death to such child in violation of § 40.1-100.1 ; 2. Such child is under the direct supervision of an adult who ensures compliance with all applicable safety requirements; and 3. Such child's engagement in the work of content creation does not require direct interaction with hazardous equipment or conditions. 1991, c. 511; 1998, c. 30 ; 2003, c. 380 ; 2015, cc. 502 , 503 ; 2025, cc. 699 , 705 .

Va. Code Ann. § 40.1-80.1 Employment of children

A. Except as provided in §§ 40.1-79.01 , 40.1-88 , 40.1-102 , 40.1-109 , 40.1-109.1 , and 40.1-109.2 , no child under 16 years of age shall be employed, permitted, or suffered to work in, about, or in connection with any gainful occupation more than the number of hours per week or more than the number of hours per day or during the hours of the day that the Commissioner shall determine by regulations to be detrimental to the lives, health, safety, or welfare of children. These regulations shall incorporate the standards contained in regulations promulgated by the U.S. Secretary of Labor pursuant to the Fair Labor Standards Act (29 U.S.C. § 201 et seq.) concerning the number of hours per week, hours per day, and the hours of the day that children under the age of 16 may work in, about, or in connection with, any gainful occupation. B. No child shall be employed or permitted to work for more than five hours continuously without an interval of at least 30 minutes for a lunch period, and no period of less than 30 minutes shall be deemed to interrupt a continuous period of work. 1991, c. 511; 2025, cc. 699 , 705 .

Va. Code Ann. § 40.1-81.1 Records to be kept by employers

Every employer employing minors under sixteen years of age shall keep a time book or time cards or other appropriate records for such minor employees which shall show the beginning and ending time of work each day together with the amount of time designated as a free-from-duty meal period, which is deductible from the schedule of hours of work. The record for the preceding twelve months for each such minor employee shall be kept on the premises for a period of thirty-six months from the date of the latest work period recorded for the minor employee involved. 1972, c. 480; 1982, c. 134; 1991, c. 511.

Va. Code Ann. § 40.1-84 Employment certificate required

No child under sixteen years of age shall be employed, permitted or suffered to work, in, about or in connection with any gainful occupation with the exception of volunteer work or work on farms, orchards and in gardens and except as provided in §§ 40.1-79.01 , 40.1-101 , and 40.1-102 unless the person, firm or corporation employing such child, procures and keeps on file and accessible to any school attendance officer, representative of the Department or other authorized persons, charged with the enforcement of this chapter, the employment certificate as hereinafter provided, issued for such child. Code 1950, § 40-100; 1960, c. 434; 1966, c. 603; 1970, c. 321; 1972, cc. 480, 824; 1974, cc. 283, 525; 1979, c. 219; 1991, c. 511.

Va. Code Ann. § 40.1-85 Kinds of employment certificates

Employment certificates shall be of two kinds: work-training certificate and vacation or part-time employment certificate. Code 1950, § 40-100.1; 1970, c. 321; 1982, c. 135; 1991, c. 511.

Va. Code Ann. § 40.1-87 Vacation or part-time employment certificate

A vacation or part-time employment certificate shall permit the employment of a child between fourteen and sixteen years of age only during school vacation periods or on days when school is not in session, or outside school hours on school days. Code 1950, § 40-100.3; 1958, c. 164; 1970, c. 321; 1979, c. 219; 1982, c. 136; 1991, c. 511.

Va. Code Ann. § 40.1-88 Work-training certificate

A work-training certificate shall permit the employment of a child between fourteen and sixteen years of age during school hours when enrolled in a regular school work-training program pursuant to a written agreement containing the same provisions as specified in § 40.1-89 . Code 1950, § 40-100.4; 1970, c. 321; 1979, c. 219; 1982, c. 670.

Va. Code Ann. § 40.1-89 Same; employment not allowed; revocation of certificate

No child shall be employed pursuant to a work-training certificate as provided in § 40.1-88 where such employment requires such child to work in any occupation which is deemed hazardous under § 40.1-100 A or regulations promulgated thereunder. However, a child sixteen or seventeen years of age may be employed in certain such occupations as part of a work-training program in accordance with rules and regulations promulgated by the Commissioner. No child shall work in a work-training program except pursuant to a written agreement which shall provide: (1) that the work of such child shall be incidental to his training, shall be intermittent and for short periods of time and shall be under the direct and close supervision of a competent and experienced person; (2) that safety instruction shall be given by the school and correlated with on-the-job training given by the employer; and (3) that a schedule of organized and progressive work processes to be performed shall have been prepared. Such written agreement shall set forth the name of the child so employed and shall be signed by the employer and the coordinator of schools having jurisdiction. Copies of such agreement shall be retained by the school and the employer, and a copy thereof shall be filed with the Department. Any such work-training certificate or written agreement may be revoked at any time that it shall appear that reasonable precautions for the safety of such child have not been observed. Code 1950, § 40-100.4:1; 1960, c. 434; 1968, c. 277; 1970, c. 321; 1982, c. 252; 1991, c. 511.

Va. Code Ann. § 40.1-92 Issuance of certificates

A. The Commissioner shall prescribe the procedures for minors and employers concerning issuance and maintenance of employment certificates. The Commissioner may issue certificates both directly and electronically. Employment certificates shall be issued by the Department only upon application of the child desiring employment. The employment certificate shall not be valid unless permission is granted by a parent, guardian, or custodian through means specified by the Commissioner. The Department shall have authority to make any investigation or examination necessary for the issuance thereof. No fee shall be charged for issuing any such certificate nor for rendering any services in respect thereto. The Commissioner shall file and preserve such certificates and related documents. B. No person shall, with the intent to assist a minor to procure employment, make a false statement by any means, including by submitting falsified forms electronically, to any employer or to any representative of the Commissioner in order to obtain the issuance of an employment certificate. Code 1950, § 40-101; 1960, c. 434; 1970, c. 321; 1979, c. 219; 1991, c. 511; 2013, c. 15 .

Va. Code Ann. § 40.1-93 Proof required for employment certificate

The Department shall not issue an employment certificate until it has received, examined, approved, and filed the following: 1. Except for work coming within one of the exceptions in § 40.1-79.01 , a statement signed by the prospective employer, or someone duly authorized on his behalf, stating that he expects to give such child present employment, setting forth the specific nature of the occupation in which he intends to employ such child, and the number of hours per day and of days per week which said child shall be employed and of the period for lunch. Such statement shall be submitted by means specified by the Commissioner; and 2. A statement, signed by the prospective employer or someone duly authorized on his behalf, submitted by means specified by the Commissioner, that the employer has verified the age of such minor. The employer shall procure and keep on file, accessible to the Department or other authorized persons charged with the enforcement of this chapter, the proof of age as provided in § 40.1-94 . Code 1950, § 40-102; 1960, c. 434; 1970, c. 321; 1972, c. 480; 1991, c. 511; 2013, c. 15 .

Va. Code Ann. § 40.1-94 Proofs of age

The evidence of age required by this chapter shall consist of one of the following proofs of age, which shall be required in the order herein designated: (1) A birth certificate or attested transcript issued by a registrar of vital statistics or other officer charged with the duty of recording births. (2) A baptismal record or duly certified transcript thereof showing the date of birth and place of baptism of the child. (3) Other documentary proof of age specified by the Commissioner. Code 1950, § 40-103; 1970, c. 321.

Va. Code Ann. § 40.1-96 Contents of employment certificates

The employment certificate required to be issued shall state the name, sex, date of birth, and place of residence of the child. It shall certify that all the conditions and requirements for issuing an employment certificate under the provisions of this chapter have been fulfilled and shall be signed by the Commissioner. It shall state the kind of evidence of age accepted for the employment certificate. Except for work coming within one of the exceptions in § 40.1-79.01 , the certificate shall show the name and address of the employer for whom and the nature of the specific occupation in which the employment certificate authorizes the child to be employed and shall be valid only for the occupation so designated. It shall bear a number, shall show the date of its issue, and shall be signed by the child for whom it is issued by means specified by the Commissioner. The employment certificate shall be issued to the employer, by means specified by the Commissioner, on or prior to the first day of employment. The employer and Commissioner shall retain a manual or electronic copy of the certificate, so long as the youth is employed or for a period of 36 months, whichever is longer. Code 1950, § 40-105; 1960, c. 434; 1970, c. 321; 1978, c. 596; 1991, c. 511; 2013, c. 15 .

Va. Code Ann. § 40.1-100 Certain employment prohibited or limited

A. No child under 18 years of age shall be employed, permitted, or suffered to work: 1. In any mine, quarry, tunnel, underground scaffolding work; in or about any plant or establishment manufacturing or storing explosives or articles containing explosive components; or in any occupation involving exposure to radioactive substances or to ionizing radiations, including X-ray equipment; 2. At operating or assisting to operate any grinding, abrasive, polishing, or buffing machine, any power-driven metal forming, punching, or shearing machine, any power-driven bakery machine, any power-driven paper products machine, any circular saw, band saw, or guillotine shear, or any power-driven woodworking machine; 3. In oiling or assisting in oiling, wiping, and cleaning any such machinery; 4. In any capacity in preparing any composition in which dangerous or poisonous chemicals are used; 5. In any capacity in the manufacturing of paints, colors, white lead, or brick tile or kindred products, in any place where goods of alcoholic content are manufactured, bottled, or sold for consumption on the premises, except in places (i) licensed pursuant to subdivision 6 of § 4.1-206.1 , provided that a child employed at the premises shall not serve or dispense in any manner alcoholic beverages or (ii) where the sale of alcoholic beverages is merely incidental to the main business actually conducted, or to deliver alcoholic goods; 6. In any capacity in or about excavation, demolition, roofing, wrecking, or shipbreaking operations; 7. As a driver or a helper on an automobile, truck, or commercial vehicle; however, children who are at least 17 years of age may drive automobiles or trucks on public roadways if: a. The automobile or truck does not exceed 6,000 pounds gross vehicle weight, the vehicle is equipped with seat belts for the driver and any passengers, and the employer requires the employee to use the seatbelts when driving the automobile or truck; b. Driving is restricted to daylight hours; c. The employee has a valid state license for the type of driving involved and has no record of any moving violations at the time of hire; d. The employee has successfully completed a state-approved driver education course; e. The driving does not involve (i) the towing of vehicles; (ii) route deliveries or route sales; (iii) the transportation for hire of property, goods, or passengers; (iv) urgent, time-sensitive deliveries; or (v) the transporting at any time of more than three passengers, including the employees of the employer; f. The driving performed by the employee does not involve more than two trips away from the primary place of employment in any single day for the purpose of delivering goods of the employee's employer to a customer; g. The driving performed by the employee does not involve more than two trips away from the primary place of employment in any single day for the purpose of transporting passengers, other than employees of the employer; h. The driving takes place within a 30-mile radius of the employee's place of employment; and i. The driving is only occasional and incidental to the employee's employment and involves no more than one third of the employee's work time in any workday and no more than 20 percent work time in any workweek; 8. In logging or sawmilling or in any lath mill, shingle mill, or cooperage-stock mill or in any occupation involving slaughtering, meatpacking, processing, or rendering; 9. In any occupation determined and declared hazardous by rules and regulations promulgated by the Commissioner of Labor and Industry or the U.S. Secretary of Labor, except as otherwise provided in subsection D. Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, children 16 years of age or older who are serving a voluntary apprenticeship as provided in Article 3 (§ 2.2-2043 et seq.) of Chapter 20.2 of Title 2.2 may be employed in any occupation in accordance with the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (29 U.S.C. § 201 et seq.) and rules and regulations promulgated by the Commissioner. B. Except as part of a regular work-training program in accordance with §§ 40.1-88 and 40.1-89 , no child under 16 years of age shall be employed, permitted, or suffered to work: 1. In any manufacturing or mechanical establishment; in any commercial cannery; in the operation of any automatic passenger or freight elevator; in any dance studio; in any hospital, nursing home, clinic, or other establishment providing care for resident patients as a laboratory helper, therapist, orderly, or nurse's aide; in the service of any veterinarian while treating farm animals or horses; in any warehouse; in processing work in any laundry or dry cleaning establishment; in any undertaking establishment or funeral home; in any curb service restaurant; in hotel and motel room service; in any brick, coal, or lumber yard or ice plant; or in ushering in theaters. Children 14 years of age or older may be engaged in office work of a clerical nature in bona fide office rooms in the above types of establishments. 2. In any scaffolding work or construction trade; in any outdoor theater, cabaret, carnival, fair, floor show, pool hall, club, or roadhouse; or as a lifeguard at a beach. C. Children 14 years of age or older may: 1. Be employed by dry cleaning or laundry establishments in branch stores where no processing is done on the premises and in hospitals, nursing homes, and clinics where they may be engaged in kitchen work, tray service, or room and hall cleaning; 2. Be employed in bowling alleys completely equipped with automatic pin setters, but not in or about such machines, and in soda fountains, restaurants, and hotel and motel food service departments; 3. Work as gatekeepers and in concessions at swimming pools and may be employed by concessionaires operating on beaches where their duties and work pertain to the handling and distribution of beach chairs, umbrellas, floats, and other similar or related beach equipment; and 4. Be employed by a summer camp, as defined in § 35.1-1 , operated by a religious, service, or scouting organization and may participate in all activities related to providing services for campers, provided that the summer camp is accredited by a recognized youth services organization and follows safety guidelines published by a recognized youth services organization. D. Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter: 1. Children age 16 years or older employed on farms, in gardens, or in orchards may operate, assist in operating, or otherwise perform work involving a truck, excluding a tractor trailer, or farm vehicle, as defined in § 46.2-1099 , in their employment. 2. Children age 14 years or older employed on farms, in gardens, or in orchards may perform work as a helper on a truck or commercial vehicle in their employment, while engaged in such work exclusively on a farm, in a garden, or in an orchard. 3. Children age 16 years or older may participate in all activities of a volunteer fire company; however, any such child shall not enter a burning structure or a structure that contains burning materials prior to obtaining certification under National Fire Protection Association 1001, level one, firefighter standards, pursuant to the provisions of clause (i) of subsection A of § 40.1-79.1 , except where entry into a structure that contains burning materials is during training necessary to attain certification under National Fire Protection Association 1001, level one, firefighter standards, as administered by the Department of Fire Programs. 4. Children age 16 years or older may serve in a barbershop or cosmetology salon licensed by the Board for Barbers and Cosmetology in accordance with regulations of the Board for Barbers and Cosmetology, provided that: a. The child is an apprentice registered in accordance with Article 3 (§ 2.2-2043 et seq.) of Chapter 20.2 of Title 2.2; b. The child is employed in a work-training program as provided in § 40.1-89 , which is administered in accordance with the rules and regulations promulgated by the Board of Education; or c. The child has obtained a cosmetology or barber license from the Board for Barbers and Cosmetology. 5. Children age 16 years or older may serve in an apprenticeship program or other work-based learning experience related to culinary arts or information technology, provided that: a. The child is continuously enrolled in an accredited secondary school and receives a letter of support from a school counselor or administrator each semester verifying that the child is on track to graduate on time; b. The child is an apprentice registered in accordance with Article 3 (§ 2.2-2043 et seq.) of Chapter 20.2 of Title 2.2, 29 C.F.R. § 570.50(b), or 29 C.F.R. § 570.50(c); c. The child is employed in a work-training program, as provided in § 40.1-89 , that is administered in accordance with the rules and regulations promulgated by the Board of Education; and d. The work being performed by the child is not in violation of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (29 U.S.C. § 201 et seq.), any guidance or regulation promulgated by the Virginia Occupational Safety and Health Program, or any law or regulation related to hazardous or prohibited occupations for minors. Code 1950, § 40-109; 1956, cc. 443, 463; 1958, c. 321; 1960, c. 434; 1964, c. 503; 1968, c. 278; 1970, c. 321; 1972, c. 824; 1973, c. 13; 1979, cc. 219, 348; 1991, c. 511; 1994, c. 156 ; 2005, c. 151 ; 2007, c. 645 ; 2008, c. 552 ; 2009, c. 218 ; 2020, cc. 1113 , 1114 ; 2023, cc. 275 , 624 , 625 ; 2025, cc. 185 , 198 ; 2026, cc. 98 , 99 , 269 .

Va. Code Ann. § 40.1-100.1 Employment where hazard capable of causing serious physical harm or death

No person shall employ, suffer, or permit a child to work in any gainful occupation that exposes such child to a recognized hazard capable of causing serious physical harm or death to such child. Any person violating this section shall be subject to a civil monetary penalty in accordance with § 40.1-113 of this chapter. 1991, c. 511.

Va. Code Ann. § 40.1-100.2 Employment involving sexually explicit visual material prohibited

A person under eighteen years of age shall not perform in or be a subject of sexually explicit visual material. As used in this section, "sexually explicit visual material" means a picture, photograph, drawing, sculpture, motion picture film or similar visual representation which is obscene for children, as defined in § 18.2-374.1 , and which depicts nudity, sexual excitement, sexual conduct, sexual intercourse or sadomasochistic abuse, as defined in § 18.2-390 , or a book, magazine or pamphlet which contains such a visual representation. An undeveloped photograph or similar visual material may be sexually explicit material notwithstanding that processing or other action is necessary to make its sexually explicit content apparent. A person who employs, permits or suffers a person to be employed or work in violation of this section is guilty of a Class 6 felony. 1991, c. 511.

Va. Code Ann. § 40.1-101 Qualifications as to theaters

Notwithstanding the provisions of §§ 40.1-100 and 40.1-100.1 , a child under sixteen years of age, whether a resident or nonresident of the Commonwealth, may be employed, permitted or suffered to participate in the presentation of a drama, play, performance, concert or entertainment, provided the management of the theater or other public place where such performance is to be held in the Commonwealth shall secure a permit from the Commissioner; provided, that no such permit shall be required for any nonprofit dance or music recital, nor for any television or radio broadcast in which the children participating are selected by the television or radio broadcasting station for sustaining noncommercial programs. Code 1950, § 40-110; 1960, c. 434; 1970, c. 321; 1973, c. 13; 1979, c. 348; 1991, c. 511.

Va. Code Ann. § 40.1-102 Issuance of theatrical permit

No permit shall be issued unless the Commissioner is satisfied that the environment in which the drama, play, performance, concert or entertainment is to be produced is a proper environment for the child and that the conditions of such employment are not detrimental to the health or morals of such child and that the child's education will not be neglected or hampered by its participation in such drama, play, performance, concert or entertainment. Applications for permits and every permit granted shall specify the name, age and sex of each child, together with such other facts as may be necessary for the proper identification of each child and the dates when, and the theaters or other places of amusement in which such drama, play, performance, concert or entertainment is to be produced and shall specify the name of the drama, play, performance, concert or entertainment in which each child is permitted to participate. Such application shall be filed with the Commissioner not less than five days before the date of such drama, play, performance, concert or entertainment. A permit shall be revocable by the Commissioner should it be found that the environment in which the drama, play, performance, concert or entertainment is being produced is not a proper environment for the child and that the conditions of such employment are detrimental to the health or morals of such child. The Commissioner shall prescribe and supply the forms required for carrying out the provisions of this section. Code 1950, § 40-111; 1960, c. 434; 1970, c. 321.

Va. Code Ann. § 40.1-103 Cruelty and injuries to children; penalty; abandoned infant

A. It shall be unlawful for any person employing or having the custody of any child willfully or negligently to cause or permit the life of such child to be endangered or the health of such child to be injured, or willfully or negligently to cause or permit such child to be placed in a situation that its life, health or morals may be endangered, or to cause or permit such child to be overworked, tortured, tormented, mutilated, beaten or cruelly treated. Any person violating this section is guilty of a Class 6 felony. B. If a prosecution under this section is based solely on the accused parent having left the child at a hospital or emergency medical services agency, it shall be an affirmative defense to prosecution of a parent under this section that such parent safely delivered the child within the first 30 days of the child's life to (i) a hospital that provides 24-hour emergency services, (ii) an attended emergency medical services agency that employs emergency medical services personnel, or (iii) a newborn safety device located at and operated by such hospital or emergency medical services agency. In order for the affirmative defense to apply, the child shall be delivered in a manner reasonably calculated to ensure the child's safety. Code 1950, § 40-112; 1970, c. 321; 1991, c. 511; 2003, cc. 816 , 822 ; 2006, c. 935 ; 2015, cc. 502 , 503 ; 2022, cc. 80 , 81 .

Va. Code Ann. § 40.1-104 Age certificates

An age certificate shall be issued, upon request of the employer or the worker, for a person sixteen years of age or over. It shall be issued by the person authorized to issue employment certificates under the provisions of this chapter upon presentation of the same evidence of age as required for an employment certificate. The age certificate shall show the person's name and address, his date of birth and signature, the signature of the person issuing the certificate and the evidence accepted as proof of age. An employment or age certificate duly issued shall be conclusive evidence of the age of the person for whom issued in any proceeding involving the employment of the person under any of the labor laws of this Commonwealth as to any act occurring subsequent to its issuance and prior to its revocation. Code 1950, § 40-113; 1970, c. 321; 1972, c. 824; 1979, c. 219.

Va. Code Ann. § 40.1-109 Newspaper carriers on regular routes; hours

Notwithstanding the other provisions of this chapter, any child between twelve and sixteen years of age may daily engage in the occupation of distributing newspapers on regularly established routes between the hours of four o'clock ante meridian and seven o'clock post meridian, excluding the time public schools are actually in session. Code 1950, § 40-118; 1960, c. 434; 1962, c. 352; 1970, c. 321; 1972, c. 807; 1973, c. 13; 1979, c. 219; 1982, c. 83; 1991, c. 511.

Va. Code Ann. § 40.1-109.1 Child engaged in the work of content creation; criteria

A. A child under the age of 16 is considered engaged in the work of content creation when the following criteria are met at any time during the previous 12-month period: 1. At least 30 percent of the content creator's compensated video content produced within a 30-day period included the likeness, name, or photograph of the child. Content percentage is measured by the percentage of time the likeness, name, or photograph of the child or, if more than one child regularly appears in the creator's content, any of the children visually appears or is the subject of an oral narrative in a video segment as compared to the total length of the segment; and 2. The number of views received per video segment on any online platform met the online platform's threshold for the generation of compensation or the content creator received actual compensation for video content equal to or greater than $0.10 per view. B. All content creators whose content features a child under the age of 16 engaged in the work of content creation shall maintain the following records and shall provide them to the child and the holder of the trust account required pursuant to § 40.1-109.2 on an ongoing basis: 1. The name and documentary proof of the age of the child engaged in the work of content creation; 2. The number of videos that generated compensation as described in subsection A during the reporting period; 3. The total number of minutes of the video content that the content creator received compensation for during the reporting period; 4. The total number of minutes each child was featured in video content during the reporting period; 5. The total compensation generated from video content featuring a child during the reporting period; and 6. The amount deposited into the trust account for the benefit of the child engaged in the work of content creation, as required by § 40.1-109.2 . C. If a content creator whose video content features a child under the age of 16 engaged in the work of content creation fails to maintain the records as provided in subsection B, the child, or his parent or guardian on behalf of such child, may commence a civil action to enforce the provisions of this section. No action shall be commenced under this section more than two years after the date on which the child engaged in the work of content creation attained 18 years of age. 2025, cc. 699 , 705 .

Va. Code Ann. § 40.1-109.2 Child engaged in the work of content creation; trust account

A. A child engaged in the work of content creation as described in subsection A of § 40.1-109.1 shall be compensated by the content creator. The content creator shall set aside gross earnings on the video content that includes the likeness, name, or photograph of the child in a trust account to be preserved for the benefit of the child upon attaining 18 years of age or having been declared emancipated, according to the following distribution: 1. Where only one child meets the content threshold described in § 40.1-109.1 , the percentage of total gross earnings on any video segment including the likeness, name, or photograph of the child that is equal to or greater than half of the content percentage that includes the child as described in § 40.1-109.1 ; or 2. Where more than one child meets the content threshold described in § 40.1-109.1 and a video segment includes more than one of those children, the percentage described in subdivision 1 for all children in any segment shall be equally divided among the children, regardless of differences in percentage of content provided by the individual children. B. A trust account required under this section shall provide, at a minimum, the following: 1. That the funds in the account shall be available only to the child engaged in the work of content creation; 2. That the account shall be held by a financial institution, corporate fiduciary, or trust company; 3. That the funds in the account shall become available to the child engaged in the work of content creation upon the child attaining the age of 18 years or when the child is declared emancipated; and 4. That the account meets the requirements of the Virginia Uniform Transfers to Minors Act (§ 64.2-1900 et seq.). C. If a content creator knowingly or recklessly violates this section, a child engaged in the work of content creation as described in subsection A of § 40.1-109.1 , or his parent or guardian on behalf of such child, may commence an action to enforce the provisions of this section regarding the trust account. The court may award, to a child who prevails in any action brought in accordance with this section, the following damages: (i) compensatory damages; (ii) punitive damages; and (iii) the costs of the action, including reasonable attorney fees and costs. No action shall be commenced under this section more than two years after the date on which the child engaged in the work of content creation attained 18 years of age. D. This section does not affect any right or remedy available under any other provision of law. E. Nothing in this section shall be construed to have any effect on a party that is neither the content creator nor the child engaged in the work of content creation. 2025, cc. 699 , 705 .

Va. Code Ann. § 40.1-112 Solicitation generally

A. In order to provide for enforcement of the child labor laws and the protection of employees, it shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation, except a nonprofit organization as defined in § 501(c) (3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code, to engage in or to employ any person for, or suffer or permit any person in his employment to work in, any trade in any street or public place, including but not limited to candy sales or soliciting for commercial purposes, selling, or obtaining subscription contracts or orders for books, magazines or other periodical publications other than newspapers, without obtaining from the Commissioner a permit to conduct such business. No permit shall be required for the placement of advertisements or literature on or near a business or private residence, if there is no attempt, in person, to solicit business or make a sale at the time of the placement of the material. B. Such permits shall be valid from the date of issuance until June 30 next following the date of issuance. Applications may be made not more than thirty days prior to the requested date of issuance on forms furnished by the Commissioner, and the applicant shall supply such information as is required concerning his place or places of business, the prospective number of his employees, and the proposed hours of work and rate of compensation for such employees. A separate permit shall be required for each place of business which the applicant operates within this Commonwealth. C. Each permittee shall maintain such records as may be prescribed by the Commissioner showing the name, residence address and age of each employee, the hours worked by each employee, the place where such work was performed, and the compensation paid and payable to such employee. Such records shall be available for inspection by the Commissioner or a representative designated by him during business hours. D. No child shall be employed or permitted to work by or for any permittee unless all the following conditions are satisfied: 1. The child is at least sixteen years of age; 2. The permittee has a permanent business address within this Commonwealth; and 3. The child works at all times under the immediate supervision of an adult. E. No child shall be required, permitted or directed to make any false statement representing himself, his employer or products or services in his employment. F. Any person violating any provision or condition of this section shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor for each such violation. Any violation of this section by a permittee or with his knowledge and consent shall in addition be grounds for revocation of the permit. Code 1950, § 40-118.3; 1964, c. 315; 1966, c. 603; 1968, c. 743; 1970, c. 321; 1973, c. 13; 1979, c. 219; 1982, c. 137; 1991, c. 511; 1998, c. 157 .

Va. Code Ann. § 40.1-113 Child labor offenses; civil penalties

A. Whoever employs, procures, or, having under his control, permits a child to be employed in violation of any of the provisions of this chapter other than §§ 40.1-100.2 , 40.1-103 and 40.1-112 shall be subject to a civil penalty that (i) shall not exceed $25,000 for each violation that results in the employment of a child who is seriously injured or who dies in the course of that employment and (ii) shall not be less than $500 or exceed $2,500 for each other violation. In determining the amount of such penalty, the appropriateness of such penalty to the size of the business of the person charged and the gravity of the violation shall be considered. B. The Commissioner shall notify any employer who he alleges has violated any provision of this section by certified mail or overnight delivery service. Such notice shall contain a description of the alleged violation. Within 21 days of receipt of notice of the alleged violation, the employer may request an informal conference regarding such violation with the Commissioner. If the employer fails to contest the violation by requesting such an informal conference within 21 days following receipt of the notice of the alleged violation, the violation and proposed penalty will become a final order of the Commissioner and not subject to review by any court or agency except upon a showing of good cause. Such informal conference shall result in a decision by the Commissioner that will be appealable to the appropriate circuit court. The Department shall send a copy of the Commissioner's decision to the employer by certified mail or overnight delivery service. The employer may file a notice of an appeal only within 30 days from the receipt of the decision. The appeal shall be on the agency record. With respect to matters of law, the burden shall be on the party seeking review to designate and demonstrate an error of law subject to review by the court. With respect to issues of fact, the duty of the court shall be limited to ascertaining whether there was substantial evidence in the record to reasonably support the Commissioner's findings of fact. C. Civil penalties owed under this section shall be paid to the Commissioner for deposit into the general fund of the treasury of the Commonwealth. The Commissioner shall prescribe procedures for the payment of proposed penalties which are not contested by employers. Code 1950, § 40-119; 1964, c. 504; 1970, c. 321; 1973, c. 425; 1979, c. 348; 1982, c. 416; 1991, c. 511; 2007, c. 667 ; 2015, c. 285 ; 2024, c. 369 .

Va. Code Ann. § 40.1-114 Enforcement of child labor law

The Commissioner, with the assistance of state and local law-enforcement officers, shall enforce the provisions of this chapter and shall have authority to appoint such representatives as may be necessary to secure the enforcement of this chapter. He shall make all necessary rules and regulations for carrying out the purposes of this chapter, and shall prescribe such forms as may be required for carrying out the provisions of this chapter. Code 1950, § 40-120; 1970, c. 321; 1979, c. 219; 2015, c. 285 .

Va. Code Ann. § 40.1-115 School attendance

Nothing contained in this chapter shall be construed as qualifying in any way the provisions of the compulsory education laws of this Commonwealth, nor as authorizing the employment of any child who is absent unlawfully from school. Code 1950, § 40-121; 1970, c. 321.

Va. Code Ann. § 40.1-116 Curfew ordinances not affected

Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to permit the violation of a curfew ordinance of any city. Code 1950, § 40-122; 1970, c. 321.
Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title40.1/chapter5/Fetched: 10/16/2026

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