Ice cream store is fined over teen workers’ hours. A refresher on child labor laws

One of South Florida’s more popular ice cream chains was recently hit with a $15,000 fine for breaking child labor laws. Federal officials say five Rita’s Italian Ice locations — all owned by one Hialeah-based franchise — allowed underage employees to work longer and later hours than the law allows. So what are those rules? How young can children in Florida get paid to work? As a refresher, Florida law allows youths 14 and up to work for a salary. According to Florida’s Department of Business and Professional Regulation, there are exceptions for kids working in their parents’ businesses, the e...