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Statement of Need: Because of changes in the workplace and the introduction of new processes and technologies, the Department is undertaking a comprehensive review of the regulatory criteria applicable to child labor. Other factors necessitating a review of the child labor regulations are changes in places where young workers find employment opportunities, the existence of differing Federal and State standards, and the divergent views on how best to correlate school and work experiences. ^PUnder the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Secretary of Labor is directed to provide by regulation or by order for the employment of youth between 14 and 16 years of age under periods and conditions which will not interfere with their schooling, health and well-being. The Secretary is also directed to designate occupations that may be particularly hazardous for youth between the ages of 16 and 18 years or detrimental to their health or well-being. The Secretary has done so by specifying, in regulations, the permissible industries and occupations in which 14- and 15-year-olds may be employed, and the number of hours per day and week and the time periods within a day in which they may be employed. In addition, these regulations designate the occupations declared particularly hazardous for minors between 16 and 18 years of age or detrimental to their health or well-being. ^PPublic comment has been invited in considering whether changes in technology in the workplace and job content over the years require new hazardous occupation orders or necessitate revision to some of the existing hazardous orders. Comment has also been invited on whether revisions should be considered in the permissible hours and time-of-day standards for the employment of 14- and 15-year-olds, and whether revisions should be considered to facilitate school-to-work transition programs. When developing regulatory proposals (after receipt of public comment on the advance notice of proposed rulemaking), the Department's focus will be on assuring healthy, safe and fair workplaces for young workers, and at the same time promoting job opportunities for young people and making regulatory standards less burdensome to the regulated community.

Alternatives: Regulatory alternatives will be developed based on the public comments responding to the advance notice of proposed rulemaking. Alternatives likely to be considered include specific additions or modifications to the hazardous occupation orders and changes to the hours 14- and 15-year-olds may work.

Anticipated Costs and Benefits: Preliminary estimates of the anticipated costs and benefits of this regulatory action will be developed once decisions are reached on particular proposed changes in the child labor regulations. Benefits will include safer working environments and the avoidance of injuries with respect to young workers.

Risks: An assessment of the magnitude of the risk addressed by this action will be prepared once decisions are reached on particular proposed changes in the child labor regulations.