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HomeLabor CodeDiv. 2Pt. 4Ch. 3§ 1393 Minor Employment Harvest Exemptions

§ 1393 Minor Employment Harvest Exemptions

Labor Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 1393 Minor Employment Harvest Exemptions

This law lets some bosses hire 16 and 17-year-olds to work up to 10 hours a day in fruit or veggie packing places, but only when school is out and during the busiest harvest time. The boss has to prove it won’t hurt the teens and won’t cause big problems for the business.

Key Takeaways

  • •Only 16- and 17-year-olds can get this special rule—younger kids still can’t work long hours.
  • •The long shifts are only allowed on days when school is closed (summer, weekends, holidays).
  • •The boss must fill out a state form and post it at work so everyone can see it.
  • •The state can take away the permission if they see the teens are in danger or the boss lied.

Example

A strawberry farm needs extra hands in June to pack berries fast before they spoil.

The farm boss can ask the state for permission to let high-school juniors and seniors work 10-hour shifts on weekdays when school is closed for summer. The boss must show the long hours won’t make the teens tired or unsafe, and the state might check the packing shed first.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 1393 Minor Employment Harvest Exemptions

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter and Article 2 (commencing with Section 49110) of Chapter 7 of Part 27 of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Education Code, the Labor Commissioner may issue an exemption from laws regulating the employment of minors to employers operating agricultural packing plants that employ minors 16 and 17 years of age during any day during which school is not in session, for up to 10 hours per day during the peak harvest season. These exemptions shall only be granted if they do not materially affect the safety and welfare of minor employees and will prevent undue hardship on the employer. The Labor Commissioner may require an inspection of an agricultural packing plant prior to issuing an exemption. (b) Any exemption granted pursuant to subdivision (a) shall be in writing to be effective, and may be revoked after reasonable notice is given, in writing, by the Labor Commissioner. Any notice of revocation shall include the reason for the revocation. (c) An application for an exemption under subdivision (a) shall be made by an employer on a form provided by the Labor Commissioner, and a copy of the application shall be posted at the employer’s place of employment at the time the application is filed with the division. (Amended by Stats. 2017, Ch. 561, Sec. 166. (AB 1516) Effective January 1, 2018.)

Last verified: January 9, 2026

Key Terms

exemptionagricultural packing plantsminors 16 and 17 years of agepeak harvest seasonLabor Commissioner

Related Statutes

  • § 1682.7 Fresno Farm Labor Oversight
  • § 1683 Farm Labor Contractor Licensing
  • § 1684.5 Licensee List Submission
  • § 1686 License Denial Authority
  • § 1688 License Renewal Deadlines

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Labor Code. Section 1393.
View Official Source