Delaware § 506 - Minors under 16 years of age.

Full text of Delaware Delaware Code § 506 — Minors under 16 years of age., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 506. Minors under 16 years of age.

(a) A minor under 16 years of age shall not be employed or permitted to work in, about or in connection with:

(1) Any employment during the prescribed school day;

(2) Any occupation prohibited by the United States Secretary of Labor pursuant to the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act [29 U.S.C. § 201 et seq.];

(3) The operation, cleaning or adjusting of any power-driven machinery, appliances or tools, other than office machinery and food or beverage dispensing machines where the moving parts are not exposed to the operator;

(4) Meat slicers;

(5) Deep fat fryers;

(6) Steamers and pressure cookers used in the preparation of food;

(7) Boilers;

(8) Stripping and sorting tobacco;

(9) Construction or demolition projects;

(10) Tunnels or excavations;

(11) Mines, quarries or borrow pits;

(12) Coal breakers or coke ovens; or

(13) Any other occupation which, following a public hearing by the Department of Labor, the Secretary deems to be injurious to the health, safety, welfare or morals of the minor.

(b) Paragraph (a)(1) of this section shall not apply to a minor who has been excused from public school attendance by the public school authorities.

(c) Subsection (a) of this section shall not apply to a minor:

(1) Who is enrolled in a work-study, student-learner or similar program where the employment is an integral part of the course of study, and the employment is procured and supervised by the school district; or

(2) Engaged in the practice of farm labor with adult supervision.

(d) A minor under 16 years of age shall not be employed or permitted to work more than:

(1) Four hours on any day when school is in session;

(2) Eight hours on any day when school is not in session;

(3) Eighteen hours in any week when school is in session for 5 days;

(4) Forty hours in any week when school is not in session; and

(5) Six days in any week.

(e) A minor under 16 years of age shall not be employed or permitted to work before 7:00 a.m. or after 7:00 p.m.; except that a minor under 16 years of age may be employed or permitted to work until 9:00 p.m. during the period each year from June 1 through Labor Day.

(f) The hours worked by a minor enrolled in a bona fide work-study or student-learner program when school is normally in session shall not be counted towards the permissible hours of work prescribed in subsection (d) of this section.

68 Del. Laws, c. 173, §  1; 

Source: official Delaware text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About Delaware § 506

What does Delaware Code § 506 cover?

Section 506 ("Minors under 16 years of age.") is part of the Delaware Code, the codified statutory law of Delaware. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Delaware § 506?

A common citation format is "Delaware Code § 506" (Delaware). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Delaware law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Delaware official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Delaware attorney.

How does Delaware § 506 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Delaware can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Delaware.