50-State Surveys › Meal and Rest Break Requirements by State
Meal and Rest Break Requirements by State
Does this state require your employer to give you a meal break or a paid rest break during the workday, and how long must the break be?
51 of 51 jurisdictions verified
every entry statute-checked, oldest 2026-07-11
What this survey covers
Federal law generally does not require an employer to offer a meal period or a short rest break. State law creates the differences that matter: some states require both, some require only a meal period, and many impose no general adult break mandate at all. This survey compares those state-law rules for ordinary adult, nonexempt private-sector employees. It also keeps separate child-labor rules visible so a rule written only for minors is never presented as the adult workplace rule.
How to read the table
The meal and rest columns answer different questions. A state may require an unpaid meal period but no paid rest break, or require both on different clocks. The remaining columns show whether a break can be waived, whether an on-duty meal must be paid, which workers are outside the rule, what minors receive, and what remedy follows a missed break. Where an industry wage order controls, the state page names the order and explains any material departure from the general rule.
National patterns
California and Colorado illustrate the both-break model, but their mechanics are not identical. California combines a statute with industry wage orders and uses a five-hour meal trigger plus a 10-minute-rest-per-four-hours formula. Colorado uses one administrative order with a meal rule for shifts over five consecutive hours and a stepped rest-break table. Rhode Island illustrates the meal-only model: its statute supplies a 20-minute meal in a six-hour shift and a 30-minute meal in an eight-hour shift, but also excludes licensed healthcare facilities and worksites with fewer than three people on the shift.
Across the completed 51 jurisdictions, only seven states — California, Colorado, Kentucky, Minnesota, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington — require both a meal period and a paid rest break. A larger meal-only group (including Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Rhode Island, Tennessee, and West Virginia, with Vermont requiring only a reasonable eating opportunity) requires a meal but no rest break. The remaining states impose no general adult break mandate at all. The minor column is where many no-adult-mandate states still act: most set a youth meal interval, but a handful — Mississippi among them, alongside the District of Columbia and Wyoming — require no break for workers of any age. Where no state rule applies, the federal line controls whether an offered break is paid: short rests of about 5 to 20 minutes are compensable, while a bona fide meal is unpaid only when the employee is completely relieved of duty.
Get this answered for your state
This survey compares every state side by side. Ezel applies your state's law to your specific situation and answers with citations to the statutes.
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| State | Governing law | Required meal break | Required paid rest break | Paid or unpaid? | Waiver and on-duty meals | Who is covered or exempt | Separate rule for minors | Remedy for a missed break |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama verified 2026-07-12 | No adult break mandate; Ala. Code § 25-8-38(e) requires a documented interval for workers age 14-15 |
None for adults; age 14-15: at least 30 min before working more than 5 continuous hours (§ 25-8-38(e)) |
None for adults; age 14-15 interval may be a meal or rest period of at least 30 min (§ 25-8-38(e)) |
State law does not label the minor interval paid; provided short rests are paid, while a bona fide duty-free meal may be unpaid (§§ 785.18-.19) |
No statutory waiver; an interval under 30 min does not interrupt the minor's continuous-work clock (§ 25-8-38(e)) |
General mandate covers only employees age 14-15; ADOL says no breaks are required for employees age 16 and older |
Age 14-15: documented meal/rest interval of at least 30 min before more than 5 continuous hours; none for age 16-17 (§ 25-8-38(e)) |
ADOL enforcement; § 25-8-59(b) permits a civil penalty of at least $300 for violating § 25-8-38, with possible misdemeanor prosecution |
| Alaska verified 2026-07-12 | No adult break mandate; Alaska DOLWD Wage and Hour FAQ. Minors: AS 23.10.350(c), (e) |
None required for employees 18+; under-18 rule requires 30 min on covered long shifts (DOLWD FAQ; AS 23.10.350(c)) |
None required for employees 18+; an allowed break lasting under 20 min must be paid (DOLWD FAQ) |
Allowed break under 20 min is paid; allowed meal over 20 min may be unpaid if no work is performed (DOLWD FAQ) |
No adult scheduling rule to waive; minor rule may be modified occasionally by mutual agreement or by CBA; work during an adult meal makes it paid |
No general mandate for employees 18+; under-18 rule excludes specified fishing/aquatic work and employment by listed family members (§ 23.10.350(e)) |
Under 18: 30 min if scheduled ≥6 consecutive hours, timed after first 1½ hours and before last hour; also 30 min before continuing after 5 hours without a break (§ 23.10.350(c)) |
No adult missed-break remedy because no break is required; Wage and Hour accepts wage claims when compensable provided-break time is unpaid |
| Arizona verified 2026-07-12 | No Arizona meal/rest-break mandate (Arizona State Personnel System handbook); A.R.S. § 23-233 limits minors' hours but creates no break rule |
None required by Arizona law |
None required by Arizona law; provided short rests of 5-about 20 min are paid work under 29 C.F.R. § 785.18 |
Provided short rests are paid; a bona fide meal is ordinarily unpaid only if the employee is completely relieved from duty (§§ 785.18-.19) |
Not applicable because Arizona mandates no break; duties performed while eating make the period worktime under § 785.19 |
No general state coverage for adult private-sector workers; employer policy, agreement, or an occupation-specific rule may provide more |
No separate Arizona meal/rest mandate; § 23-233 instead limits hours for workers under 16 and exempts newspaper delivery |
No Arizona missed-break remedy because no general break is mandated; federal pay rules still apply to provided breaks and work during meals |
| Arkansas verified 2026-07-12 | No general mandate; ADLL FAQ and 11 CAR § 11-803 govern pay treatment; 11 CAR § 12-403 covers child entertainers |
None generally; entertainment workers under 16 receive 30-60 min and cannot be at work >6 hours without a meal (11 CAR § 12-403(c)) |
No general short-rest mandate; child entertainers have age-based rest/recreation time and ≥12 hours between workdays (§ 12-403(a), (d)) |
Provided short rests of about 5-20 min are paid; bona fide meals may be unpaid only with complete relief (11 CAR § 11-803) |
No general state break to waive; entertainment meal rule states mandatory limits; duty during a meal makes it paid (§§ 12-403(c), 11-803(b)) |
No general adult or ordinary-job scheme; special break schedule applies only to entertainment-industry workers under 16 (§ 12-401) |
Ordinary jobs: no state break mandate; entertainment under 16: 30-60-min meal, max 6 hours without meal, age-based rest/recreation (§ 12-403) |
No adult missed-break remedy; child-rule violations carry $100-$5,000 civil penalty per violation, each day separate (§ 12-701) |
| California verified 2026-07-11 | Cal. Lab. Code §§ 512, 226.7 + the employee's current IWC industry/occupation wage order (Order 4 quoted here) |
30 minutes before work exceeds 5 hours; second 30 minutes before work exceeds 10 hours (§ 512(a)) |
Paid 10 minutes per 4 hours or major fraction; none required below 3½ total daily hours (Order 4 § 12(A)) |
Off-duty meal may be unpaid; on-duty meal is paid; required rest time counts as paid hours worked (Order 4 §§ 11-12) |
First meal waivable by mutual consent if day ≤6 hours; second if day ≤12 and first was taken; on-duty meal needs necessity + revocable written agreement (§ 512(a); Order 4 § 11(A)) |
Nonexempt employees under the applicable wage order; Order 4 excludes qualifying executive, administrative, and professional employees; § 512 has industry/CBA exceptions |
Covered minors follow the same Order 4 meal/rest schedule: § 11 covers 'any person' and § 12 covers 'all employees' |
One additional hour at the regular rate for each workday a required meal is not provided, and separately for a required rest period (Order 4 §§ 11(B), 12(B); § 226.7(c)) |
| Colorado verified 2026-07-12 | Colorado COMPS Order #40, 7 CCR 1103-1, Rule 5 (effective Feb. 1, 2026) |
30 uninterrupted duty-free min when shift exceeds 5 consecutive hours; as practical, ≥1 hour after start and ≥1 hour before end (Rule 5.1) |
Paid 10 min per 4 hours or major fraction: 0 at ≤2 hrs; 1 at >2-6; 2 at >6-10; then +1 each 4 hrs (Rule 5.2) |
Duty-free meal may be unpaid; impractical on-duty meal is paid; rest periods are paid time worked, and denied rest time requires extra wages (Rules 5.1, 5.2) |
No general meal waiver; if uninterrupted meal is impractical, employee must be allowed to eat on duty with pay; employee may voluntarily and without coercion decline a rest |
COMPS covers Colorado private-sector employees unless Rule 2 exempts them; executive/supervisor, administrative, professional, and listed occupation-specific exemptions may remove meal/rest rights |
No separate stricter general clock; covered minors receive the same COMPS meal and paid-rest periods as other covered employees |
Denied rest time is unpaid work recoverable through Division complaint or civil action with fees; compliance orders and fines also available (Rules 5.2, 8.1-.4) |
| Connecticut verified 2026-07-12 | Conn. Gen. Stat. § 31-51ii requires a meal at 7½ consecutive hours; no general state paid-rest mandate |
At least 30 consecutive min when working ≥7½ consecutive hours; after first 2 hours and before last 2 (§ 31-51ii(a)) |
None generally required by Connecticut law; provided short rests are paid under 29 C.F.R. § 785.18 |
§ 31-51ii does not specify pay; a duty-free bona fide meal may be unpaid, but a meal with duties is paid under 29 C.F.R. § 785.19 |
No employee-waiver procedure stated; Labor Commissioner may grant limited operational exemptions, including paid continuous-operation breaks (§ 31-51ii(c)) |
Broadly applies to any person; commissioner exemptions for public safety, sole-person duties, <5 employees on shift, or continuous operations with paid breaks (§ 31-51ii) |
No separate stricter minor meal/rest schedule identified; § 31-51ii(a)'s 'No person' rule applies at 7½ consecutive hours |
Connecticut DOL Wage and Workplace Standards enforcement/complaint process; § 31-51ii states no employee premium-pay remedy |
| Delaware verified 2026-07-12 | 19 Del. C. § 707 and 19 DE Admin. Code 1327 (adult meals); 19 Del. C. § 507(e) (minors) |
Adults: 30 consecutive min after first 2 hours and before last 2 when working 7½+ consecutive hours (§ 707(a)) |
No additional short-rest requirement; provided short rests of about 5-20 min are paid under 29 C.F.R. § 785.18 |
Ordinary 30-min meal may be unpaid only if duty-free; exempt on-duty meals and 20-min consecutive-shift meals are paid (Code 1327) |
CBA or other written employer-employee agreement may provide otherwise; exempt employees may eat on duty and must be paid (§ 707; Code 1327) |
Excludes covered school professionals; agreements may vary rule; exemptions for public safety, sole-duty worker, fewer than 5 on shift, and continuous operations |
Under 18: at least 30 nonworking min before work exceeds 5 continuous hours (§ 507(e)) |
$1,000-$5,000 civil penalty per adult-rule violation (§ 707(c)); up to $10,000 per child-labor violation (§ 509(b)) |
| District of Columbia verified 2026-07-12 | No District meal/rest-break mandate; DC DOES Office of Wage-Hour FAQ; federal pay rules summarized by U.S. DOL Fact Sheet #22 |
None required by District law for ordinary private-sector employees (DC Office of Wage-Hour FAQ) |
None required; provided short rests, usually 20 min or less, count as paid hours worked (U.S. DOL Fact Sheet #22) |
Provided short rests are paid; bona fide meals, typically ≥30 min, may be unpaid only with complete relief from duty (Fact Sheet #22) |
No District scheduling right to waive; any active or inactive duty during a purported meal makes the time paid under federal law |
No general District break entitlement for ordinary private-sector workers; employer policies, contracts, or CBAs may provide breaks |
No separate District meal/rest schedule; D.C. Code § 32-202 limits minors' days, daily/weekly hours, and times of work |
No District missed-break remedy because no break is required; unpaid compensable provided-break time remains a wage-law issue |
| Florida verified 2026-07-11 | No adult break mandate in Fla. Stat. ch. 448; minor meal rule in Fla. Stat. § 450.081(4); federal pay rules at 29 C.F.R. §§ 785.18-.19 |
Adults: none required. Covered minors: 30 minutes after 4 continuous hours (§ 450.081(4)) |
No Florida requirement for a short paid rest break for ordinary adult private-sector employees |
Provided short rests (5-about 20 min) are paid; bona fide meals may be unpaid only if fully relieved (29 C.F.R. §§ 785.18-.19) |
Adults: N/A. Minor restrictions have statutory exemptions and agency waiver authority (§ 450.081(5)-(6)); on-duty meals are paid under § 785.19(a) |
No general adult scheme; minor rule covers age ≤15 and 16-17 only on an 8+ hour day, subject to listed school/status/family-work exemptions |
30 minutes after 4 continuous hours for covered minors ≤15; same for covered 16-17-year-olds working 8+ hours that day (§ 450.081(4)) |
No adult missed-break premium; minor-law violations may be a misdemeanor and carry agency fines up to $2,500 per offense (§ 450.141) |
| Georgia verified 2026-07-12 | No Georgia meal/rest-break mandate; current Georgia Department of Labor Breaks and Meals guidance; 29 C.F.R. §§ 785.18-.19 govern pay |
None required by Georgia law |
None required by Georgia law; provided short rests of 5-about 20 min are paid work under 29 C.F.R. § 785.18 |
Provided short rests are paid; a meal may be unpaid only when the worker is free to use it and performs no work (GDOL; §§ 785.18-.19) |
Not applicable because Georgia mandates no break; duties performed while eating make the period worktime under § 785.19 |
No general state coverage for adult private-sector workers; an employer policy, CBA, or occupation-specific rule may provide more |
No separate general meal/rest rule; Georgia Department of Labor's child-labor FAQ says state and federal law require neither |
No Georgia missed-break remedy because no break is mandated; federal pay rules still apply to provided breaks and work during meals |
| Hawaii verified 2026-07-12 | No adult state break mandate; Hawaii DLIR guidance. Minor rule: Haw. Rev. Stat. § 390-2(c)(3) |
None required for adults; ages 14-15 receive 30 consecutive minutes after no more than 5 continuous hours (§ 390-2(c)(3)) |
None required for adults; provided rests of 5-20 minutes count as paid hours worked (Hawaii DLIR) |
Provided 5-20 minute rests are paid; a meal of 30+ minutes may be unpaid only with complete relief from duty (Hawaii DLIR) |
No adult scheduling rule to waive; working through a designated meal must be paid. The minor statute states no waiver from its 30-minute interval |
No general adult entitlement; § 390-2(c)(3) covers ages 14-15, subject to § 390-5 exceptions such as parent, newspaper, domestic-service, golf-caddy, and qualifying nonprofit work |
Ages 14-15: at least 30 consecutive minutes after 5 continuous hours (§ 390-2(c)(3)); no special break schedule for ages 16-17 |
No adult missed-break remedy because no adult mandate; a knowing violation of the child-labor chapter is a misdemeanor (§ 390-7) |
| Idaho verified 2026-07-12 | No state meal/rest-break mandate; Idaho Department of Labor guide; federal pay rules at 29 C.F.R. §§ 785.18-.19 |
None required for adult or minor employees under Idaho law (IDOL Guide to Idaho Labor Laws) |
No Idaho requirement for short rest periods or breaks (IDOL Guide to Idaho Labor Laws) |
Provided short rests of about 5-20 min are paid; bona fide meals may be unpaid only with complete relief (29 C.F.R. §§ 785.18-.19) |
No Idaho scheduling rule to waive; duties during a purported meal make the time paid under 29 C.F.R. § 785.19(a) |
No general state break entitlement for ordinary private-sector employees; an employer policy or agreement may provide breaks |
No separate Idaho meal/rest mandate; § 44-1304 limits hours for workers under 16 but does not create a break schedule |
No state missed-break remedy because Idaho requires no break; unpaid compensable break time is governed by applicable wage law |
| Illinois verified 2026-07-11 | One Day Rest in Seven Act, 820 ILCS 140/3, 3.1, 7; Child Labor Law of 2024, 820 ILCS 206/10, 35(d) |
20 min on a 7½-hour continuous shift, beginning by hour 5; another 20 min per additional 4½ continuous hours (§ 3) |
None generally; covered hotel room attendants get two paid 15-min rests on a workday of at least 7 hours (§ 3.1(c)) |
§ 3 does not designate the general meal as paid; an off-duty meal may be unpaid under federal law; hotel-attendant rests are expressly paid |
No general individual waiver stated; qualifying CBA meals are excluded; specified on-call monitors and private EMS workers may eat while remaining on call (§ 3) |
Employees scheduled for 7½ continuous hours; excludes CBA-established meals and specified on-call monitors/private EMS workers; special hotel rule only in counties over 3 million |
Workers under 16: at least 30 min before working more than 5 continuous hours; a shorter interval does not interrupt continuous work (§§ 10, 35(d)) |
Per employee/day: up to $250 state penalty + $250 employee damages if employer has <25 workers; up to $500 each if 25+; hotel violation also pays 3× hourly rate (§§ 7, 3.1(f)) |
| Indiana verified 2026-07-12 | No Indiana adult meal/rest mandate (IN.gov FAQ); IC 22-2-18.1-27(b) permits only recommendations for minors' rest breaks |
None required for adults or minors under current Indiana law |
None required; provided short rests of 5-about 20 min are paid work under 29 C.F.R. § 785.18 |
Provided short rests are paid; a bona fide meal is ordinarily unpaid only if completely duty-free (§§ 785.18-.19) |
Not applicable because Indiana mandates no break; duties performed while eating make the period worktime under § 785.19 |
No general state coverage for private-sector workers; employer policy, agreement, or an occupation-specific rule may provide more |
None required; current IDOL guidance says no break or lunch is required regardless of hours, and § 22-2-18.1-27(b) authorizes recommendations only |
No Indiana missed-break remedy because no general break is mandated; federal pay rules still apply to provided breaks and work during meals |
| Iowa verified 2026-07-12 | No general adult mandate; Iowa Code § 92.7 requires a 30-min intermission only for workers under 16 |
None required for adults; under 16 receives ≥30 min when employed 5+ hours in a day (§ 92.7) |
No Iowa requirement for a short paid rest break for ordinary adult private-sector employees |
Minor's required 30 min may be paid or unpaid; provided short rests are paid and off-duty meals may be unpaid (DIAL; 29 C.F.R. §§ 785.18-.19) |
No adult state rule to waive; § 92.7 states the under-16 intermission shall be given; work during a meal is paid under § 785.19(a) |
No general adult scheme; § 92.7 applies under age 16, while ages 16-17 may work adult hours (§ 92.7A) |
Under 16: ≥30-min intermission when employed 5+ hours in a day; agency guidance describes ages 14-15 and says paid or unpaid (§ 92.7) |
Child-labor violation: civil penalty up to $10,000 per violation after a 15-day grace period (§ 92.22); no adult missed-break remedy |
| Kansas verified 2026-07-12 | No state meal/rest-break mandate; Kansas Department of Labor FAQ; federal pay rules at 29 C.F.R. §§ 785.18-.19 |
None required for adult or minor employees under Kansas law (KDOL FAQ) |
No Kansas requirement for a short paid rest break (KDOL FAQ) |
Provided short rests of about 5-20 min are paid; bona fide meals may be unpaid only with complete relief (29 C.F.R. §§ 785.18-.19) |
No Kansas scheduling rule to waive; duties during a purported meal make the time paid under 29 C.F.R. § 785.19(a) |
No general state break entitlement for ordinary private-sector employees; policies, contracts, and narrower rules may add breaks |
No separate Kansas meal/rest mandate; K.S.A. § 38-603 limits hours for covered workers under 16 but does not create a break schedule |
No state missed-break remedy because Kansas requires no break; unpaid compensable break time is governed by applicable wage law |
| Kentucky verified 2026-07-12 | KRS 337.355 (lunch), KRS 337.365 (paid rests), and KRS 339.270 (stricter under-18 rule) |
Reasonable lunch period near mid-shift; may not be required before 3 hours or later than 5 hours after shift begins (§ 337.355); no adult minimum duration stated |
At least 10 minutes during each 4 hours worked, in addition to lunch (§ 337.365) |
Required 10-min rests are paid; adult lunch may be unpaid only if it is a bona fide meal with complete relief from duty (§ 337.365; 29 C.F.R. §§ 785.18-.19) |
§ 337.355 preserves CBA and mutual-agreement terms but sets no formal waiver rule; a meal with any duties is paid under 29 C.F.R. § 785.19 |
Employees of covered employers; Federal Railway Labor Act employees excluded; a CBA may replace rests only with at least 10 total minutes per 4 hours (§§ 337.355, 337.365) |
Under 18: at least 30-min lunch before work exceeds 5 continuous hours, plus a paid 10-min rest each 4 hours (§ 339.270) |
$100-$1,000 civil penalty for violating the paid-rest rule (§ 337.990(10)); current § 337.990 names no matching lunch-period penalty; Labor Cabinet accepts complaints |
| Louisiana verified 2026-07-12 | No general adult mandate; La. R.S. 23:213 requires a meal interval only for workers under 16 |
Under 16: one 30-min interval within each 5-hour period; ≤10-min timing overrun and a break of at least 20 min are de minimis (§ 23:213) |
None required for adults; § 23:213 describes the under-16 interval as a meal period, not a paid short rest |
§ 23:213 excludes the minor meal interval from working hours; federal law still requires pay for short rests and meals with duties (§§ 785.18-.19) |
No waiver; limited statutory tolerance for ≤10-min timing overrun or a break lasting at least 20 min, with timekeeping and edit acknowledgments (§ 23:213) |
General break mandate applies only to workers under 16; no state meal/rest mandate for adults or workers age 16-17 |
Under 16: documented 30-min meal within each 5-hour period, subject to the statute's de minimis tolerances (§ 23:213) |
$100-$500 fine and/or 30 days-6 months; additional civil penalty up to $500, imposed after agency hearing (§ 23:231) |
| Maine verified 2026-07-12 | 26 M.R.S. § 601 (rest breaks), using the employee definition and exemptions in § 663 |
At least 30 consecutive minutes before work exceeds 6 consecutive hours; may be used as a meal (§ 601) |
The required 30 minutes is statutory 'rest time'; no additional short-rest quota. Small-workplace exception requires frequent paid shorter breaks (§ 601(1)) |
30-minute period may be unpaid only with complete relief from duty; otherwise paid. Small-workplace substitute breaks must be paid (§ 601) |
CBA or other written employer-employee agreement may provide otherwise; emergency exception for danger to property, life, public safety, or public health (§ 601) |
Covered § 663 employees; small-workplace exception only if both fewer than 3 are on duty and work allows frequent paid shorter breaks; § 663 excludes listed occupations |
No separate minor meal/rest schedule; covered minors receive the same § 601 rule, plus separate youth-hours and hazardous-work limits |
Labor director may assess up to $1,000 per violation under § 53; unpaid break-time wages can also trigger wages, double liquidated damages, and interest |
| Maryland verified 2026-07-12 | Md. Code, Lab. & Empl. § 3-710 (Healthy Retail Employee Act); § 3-210(a)(1) (minors) |
Covered retail: 30 nonworking min after >6 consecutive hours (§ 3-710(c)(2)); otherwise no general adult mandate |
Covered retail: 15 min for 4-6 consecutive hours; on 8-hour shifts, another 15 min per additional 4 consecutive hours (§ 3-710(c)(1), (3)) |
15-min breaks are paid under 29 C.F.R. § 785.18; 30-min nonworking breaks may be unpaid if duty-free; agreed working breaks count as work (§ 3-710(c)(5)) |
Written waiver only for 15-min break when shift ≤6 hours; written mutual agreement permits a working break in listed circumstances (§ 3-710(c)(4)-(5)) |
Retail sellers with 50+ Maryland retail employees; excludes restaurants, wholesalers, FLSA-exempt staff, offices, public workers, equivalent CBA/policy, and qualifying ≤5-worker locations (§ 3-710(a)-(b)) |
Minor: at least 30 nonworking min before exceeding 5 consecutive hours (§ 3-210(a)(1)) |
Retail complaint, compliance order, up to $300 per employee or $600 repeat penalty; limited repeat-order suit with treble hourly wage and fees (§ 3-710(d)); knowing minor violation is a misdemeanor (§ 3-216) |
| Massachusetts verified 2026-07-12 | Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 149, §§ 100-101; working-time rule at 454 CMR 27.02 |
At least 30 min when work exceeds 6 hours in a calendar day (§ 100) |
No short rest required; if provided, a rest usually 20 min or less is paid working time (454 CMR 27.02) |
Meal may be unpaid only if worker is duty-free and free to leave; employer-requested work or remaining on site is paid (AGO poster) |
Worker may voluntarily give up the meal, but must be paid for time worked; employer may require the meal to be taken (2026 AGO training; Mass.gov) |
Most employees; § 101 excludes iron works, glass works, paper mills, letterpress/print works, bleaching works, and dyeing works |
No separate youth meal/rest clock; § 100 applies to 'No person,' while child-labor law separately limits minors' hours and jobs |
Attorney General enforcement; § 100 sets a $300-$600 fine, and workers may file a Fair Labor complaint |
| Michigan verified 2026-07-12 | No mandate at age 18+ (Michigan LEO guidance); Youth Employment Standards Act, MCL 409.102(f), 409.112, 409.119, 409.122 |
None required at age 18+ |
None required at age 18+; provided short rests of 5-about 20 min are paid work under 29 C.F.R. § 785.18 |
Provided short rests are paid; a bona fide meal is ordinarily unpaid only if completely duty-free (§§ 785.18-.19); youth statute does not designate pay |
Not applicable at age 18+; youth rule states no individual waiver and requires an uninterrupted 30-min interval (MCL 409.112; LEO FAQ) |
Youth rule covers minors under 18; Act exempts listed domestic work, newspapers, parent-owned business, farm work, enrolled-school employment, and other activities (MCL 409.119) |
Under 18: at least 30 uninterrupted min before work exceeds 5 continuous hours; a shorter interval does not interrupt work (MCL 409.112) |
No adult state missed-break remedy; youth violation is misdemeanor punishable by up to 1 year and/or $500 (MCL 409.122(1)) |
| Minnesota verified 2026-07-12 | Minn. Stat. §§ 177.253-.254 (2026 rules); employee coverage defined by § 177.23, subd. 7 |
At least 30 min when working 6 or more consecutive hours; only one required even on a longer shift (§ 177.254, subd. 1; DLI guidance) |
At least 15 min or enough time for nearest restroom, whichever longer, within each 4 consecutive work hours (§ 177.253, subd. 1) |
15-min rest is paid; meal may be unpaid if ≥20 min and completely duty-free; onsite meal may remain unpaid if duty-free (§ 177.254, subd. 2; DLI guidance) |
Employer must allow breaks; employee may voluntarily choose not to take them; different breaks may be set by CBA (§§ 177.253-.254; DLI guidance) |
MFLSA employees; § 177.23, subd. 7 excludes listed agricultural workers, bona fide executive/administrative/professional staff, seasonal camp staff, and others |
No separate stricter general clock; covered minors receive the same 15-min rest and 30-min meal rules as other covered employees |
Regular-rate pay for break time denied plus an equal amount as liquidated damages; DLI or private action (§§ 177.253, subd. 3; 177.254, subd. 4) |
| Mississippi verified 2026-07-13 | No Mississippi meal- or rest-break mandate for adult or minor private-sector employees; the state defers to federal law. Federal pay treatment of a break an employer chooses to give: 29 C.F.R. §§ 785.18-.19 |
None required for adults or minors under Mississippi law |
None required under Mississippi law |
No state rule; under federal law a provided short rest of about 5-20 minutes is paid (§ 785.18), and a bona fide meal is unpaid only if the employee is completely relieved from duty (§ 785.19) |
No state break requirement exists to waive; whether an offered break is paid turns on the federal complete-relief test, not a Mississippi waiver or on-duty rule |
No adult or minor break mandate reaches any private employer; Mississippi's child-labor law (Title 71, Ch. 1) limits the ages, hours, and settings of minor work but sets no break |
None; the U.S. DOL compilation of state minor meal-period provisions does not list Mississippi, and its child-labor standards for Mississippi set only hours and settings |
No state break-violation remedy; a break an employer does provide is governed by federal wage rules, enforced by the U.S. DOL Wage and Hour Division, not a Mississippi agency |
| Missouri verified 2026-07-12 | No general Missouri break mandate (Missouri DLS guidance); RSMo § 294.022(5)-(8) governs children in entertainment |
None generally; entertainment child: 30-60 min before exceeding 5½ hours at workplace (§ 294.022(5)) |
None generally; entertainment child: 15 paid min after each 2 hours' continuous work (§ 294.022(6), (8)) |
Entertainment meal excluded from worktime; rest included (§ 294.022(8)); otherwise provided short rests are paid and duty-free meals may be unpaid (§§ 785.18-.19) |
No general state break to waive; § 294.022 states no waiver for an entertainment child's required meal/rest periods |
No general adult coverage; narrow exception for a child performing in motion pictures, TV/radio, theater, modeling, horse shows, rodeos, or music (§ 294.022(1)-(3)) |
No break for youth generally; entertainment child gets 30-60 min by 5½ hours plus 15 paid min after each 2 continuous hours (§ 294.022(5)-(8)) |
Entertainment-child violation: class C misdemeanor plus $50-$1,000 civil damages per violation, per day, per child (§§ 294.110, 294.121(1)) |
| Montana verified 2026-07-12 | No state meal/rest-break mandate; ARM 24.16.3010 incorporates 29 C.F.R. §§ 785.18-.19 for pay treatment |
None required; provided meal is ordinarily unpaid only if 30+ min and completely duty-free (DLI guidance; 29 C.F.R. § 785.19) |
None required; provided short rests of about 5-20 min count as hours worked (DLI guidance; 29 C.F.R. § 785.18) |
Provided short rests are paid; bona fide duty-free meals are ordinarily unpaid (29 C.F.R. §§ 785.18-.19) |
No Montana scheduling rule to waive; any duty during a purported meal makes it work time (§ 785.19(a)) |
No general state break entitlement for ordinary private-sector employees; employer policies and agreements may provide breaks |
No separate Montana meal/rest schedule; § 41-2-115 limits hours for ages 14-15 without creating break periods |
No state missed-break remedy because Montana requires no break; unpaid compensable break time remains a wage-payment issue |
| Nebraska verified 2026-07-12 | Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 48-212 to 48-213; narrow industry meal mandate, no general short-rest mandate |
≥30 consecutive min in each 8-hour shift at assembling plants, workshops, and mechanical establishments (§ 48-212) |
No state-required coffee, smoke, or short rest period (NDOL Lunch Period Law) |
§ 48-212 does not specify pay; federal law pays short rests and permits unpaid meals only with complete relief (29 C.F.R. §§ 785.18-.19) |
Meal rule does not apply when a valid CBA or other written employer-employee agreement covers the employment; covered meals must allow leaving the premises (§ 48-212) |
All employees of assembling plants, workshops, and mechanical establishments with ≥1 employee; valid CBA or other written-agreement employment excluded (§ 48-212) |
No separate minor break schedule; minors share § 48-212's industry rule, while separate child-labor law limits hours for ages 14-15 |
Violation of § 48-212 is a Class III misdemeanor; statute supplies no missed-break premium payable to the employee (§ 48-213) |
| Nevada verified 2026-07-12 | NRS 608.019 and NAC 608.145 require meal and paid rest periods for covered employees |
≥30 min before 8 continuous work hours pass without a meal (NRS 608.019(1)) |
Paid 10 min per 4 hours or major fraction; none below 3½ hours; ordinarily mid-work-period (NRS 608.019(2)) |
Rest periods are paid; a meal may be unpaid, but work performed during it must be paid (NRS 608.019(2); NRS 608.016) |
Employee may voluntarily forego meal/rest, employer bears proof; Commissioner may approve business-necessity exemption (NAC 608.145(3); NRS 608.019(4)) |
Excludes a one-person place of employment and CBA-covered employees; Commissioner may grant an employer a business-necessity exemption (NRS 608.019(3)-(4)) |
Same meal/rest rule applies: NRS 608.019 covers all employees without an age distinction |
Misdemeanor plus Labor Commissioner administrative penalty up to $5,000 per violation (NRS 608.195) |
| New Hampshire verified 2026-07-12 | N.H. Rev. Stat. § 275:30-a (lunch/eating period); Department of Labor wage-and-work-hours guidance |
30 minutes before work exceeds 5 consecutive hours (§ 275:30-a) |
No separate state short-rest requirement; the statute requires the 30-minute lunch/eating period only |
Off-duty 30-minute meal may be unpaid; on-duty eating must be paid (NH DOL FAQ; 29 C.F.R. § 785.19) |
No formal waiver; employer may permit eating while working instead when that is feasible (§ 275:30-a) |
General employee rule; statute states no industry, employer-size, or exempt-status carve-out in the meal provision |
No separate minor meal schedule; employees under 18 receive the same § 275:30-a protection, plus separate youth-hours restrictions |
No employee premium stated; a willful failure to comply with a chapter 275 requirement is a misdemeanor (§ 275:52) |
| New Jersey verified 2026-07-12 | No general adult mandate; N.J.S.A. 34:2-21.4 (P.L.2022, c.63) governs minors; § 34:2-21.19 enforcement |
None required at age 18+; minors under 18 get at least 30 min before work exceeds 6 continuous hours (§ 34:2-21.4) |
None required at age 18+; provided short rests of 5-about 20 min are paid work under 29 C.F.R. § 785.18 |
Provided short rests are paid; a bona fide meal is ordinarily unpaid only if completely duty-free (§§ 785.18-.19); minor statute does not designate pay |
Not applicable at age 18+; minor statute states no waiver and says a period under 30 min does not interrupt continuous work |
No general adult coverage; § 34:2-21.4 covers minors under 18, subject to the Child Labor Law's occupation/activity provisions |
Under 18: at least 30 min before exceeding 6 continuous hours; shorter period does not interrupt work (§ 34:2-21.4) |
No adult state missed-break remedy; ordinary non-knowing child-law offense carries $100-$2,000 initial and $200-$4,000 later fine; each day/minor separate (§ 34:2-21.19(a)) |
| New Mexico verified 2026-07-12 | No general state meal/rest-break mandate; NMDWS guidance and Investigations Manual govern pay treatment; 11.1.4.12 NMAC covers child performers |
None required generally; child-performer time at the workplace may be extended 30 min for a meal, but the rule does not expressly mandate a meal (11.1.4.12(B) NMAC) |
No general short-rest mandate; child performers ages 6-18 receive rest/recreation allocations and 12 hours between workdays (11.1.4.12(F)-(J) NMAC) |
Provided short breaks are paid; meals may be unpaid when predominantly for the employee's benefit, but interrupted meals are paid (NMDWS Manual §§ E.6-.7) |
No general scheduling rule to waive; child-performer hours may be waived only prospectively in exceptional circumstances with written details and guardian consent (11.1.4.12(I) NMAC) |
No general entitlement for ordinary private-sector employees; special scheduling rules apply to performers under 18 in the entertainment industry |
No separate break schedule for minors in ordinary jobs; child performers ages 6-18 receive age-based rest/recreation time and 12 hours between workdays |
No adult missed-break remedy because no break is mandated; child-performer violations may support refusal of a project pre-authorization certificate (11.1.4.15(A) NMAC) |
| New York verified 2026-07-11 | N.Y. Lab. Law § 162 (meal periods); § 218 (Labor Commissioner enforcement); no state short-rest mandate |
Nonfactory: 30 min on >6h shift crossing 11-2; factory: 60 min noon; late/night >6h: 60 min factory/45 min others; +20 min on before-11-to-after-7 day (§ 162) |
No required short rest break; if provided, 5-about 20 minutes counts as paid work (NYSDOL FAQ; 29 C.F.R. § 785.18) |
Compliant off-duty meal may be unpaid; interrupted/on-duty meal is paid; provided short rests are paid |
Commissioner may issue posted written permit for shorter meals; narrow knowing CBA waiver and voluntary one-employee-shift exception recognized by NYSDOL |
§ 162 covers persons working in New York; different factory/nonfactory schedules; commissioner's written permits may shorten periods |
No separate minor schedule in § 162; its 'every person employed' meal rules apply to covered minors and adults alike |
Labor Commissioner order to comply; non-wage civil penalty up to $1,000 first, $2,000 second, $3,000 later (§ 218(1)) |
| North Carolina verified 2026-07-12 | N.C. Gen. Stat. § 95-25.5(e)-(k) (covered youths under 16); NCDOL confirms no mandate at age 16+; § 95-25.23 enforcement |
None required at age 16+ |
None required at age 16+; provided breaks under 30 min generally must be paid (NCDOL; 29 C.F.R. § 785.18) |
Provided short rests are paid; a meal is unpaid only when the employee is completely relieved from duty (NCDOL; §§ 785.18-.19) |
Not applicable at age 16+; Commissioner may waive youth provisions for age 13+ only on documented hardship, safety, and written parental consent (§ 95-25.5(f)) |
No adult coverage; youth rule is under 16 and generally reaches small enterprises/nonprofits, while FLSA-covered employers and farm work are exempt from the state break |
Covered youth under 16: at least 30 min after 5 consecutive hours; shorter period does not interrupt work (§ 95-25.5(e)) |
No adult state missed-break remedy; covered youth violation carries up to $500 first and $1,000 each later civil penalty (§ 95-25.23(a)) |
| North Dakota verified 2026-07-12 | N.D. Admin. Code § 46-02-07-02(5), North Dakota Minimum Wage and Work Conditions Order |
At least 30 minutes in each shift exceeding 5 hours when 2 or more employees are on duty (§ 46-02-07-02(5)) |
No short rest break required; an employer-provided short break must be paid (ND DOLHR FAQ) |
Meal may be unpaid only with complete relief from duty and an ordinarily 30-minute period; provided short rests are paid (§ 46-02-07-02(5); DOLHR FAQ) |
Meal right may be waived by employee-employer agreement; any duty during the meal makes it paid (§ 46-02-07-02(5)) |
General working-conditions order; no meal duty when fewer than 2 employees are on duty; qualifying CBA prevails; § 46-02-07-02(1) excludes listed categories |
Same general meal rule; current youth guidance adds limits for ages 14-15 but no different meal/rest schedule |
Labor Commissioner investigates and causes prosecution; violating the rule is a class B misdemeanor, with no special missed-break premium (§§ 34-06-17, -19) |
| Ohio verified 2026-07-12 | No general Ohio meal/rest mandate for adult private-sector employees; Ohio Rev. Code §§ 4109.01(D), 4109.07(C) govern minors |
None required for adults |
None required for adults; employer-provided short rests of 5-about 20 min are paid work under 29 C.F.R. § 785.18 |
Provided short rests are paid; a bona fide meal is ordinarily unpaid only if the employee is completely relieved from duty (§§ 785.18-.19) |
Not applicable to adults; the minor rule states no waiver, and the 30-min period may be excluded from hours worked (§ 4109.07(C)) |
No general adult coverage; the statutory break covers every 'minor,' defined as a person under 18 (§ 4109.01(D)) |
Under 18: at least 30 min after no more than 5 consecutive hours; the period need not count as hours worked (§ 4109.07(C)) |
No adult state missed-break remedy; violating the minor-break rule is a minor misdemeanor (§ 4109.99(A)) |
| Oklahoma verified 2026-07-12 | No general adult mandate; 40 O.S. § 75(C) requires cumulative rest periods only for workers under 16 |
None required at age 16+; under 16 cannot work >5 consecutive hours without 30 cumulative rest minutes (§ 75(C)) |
None required at age 16+; under 16 receives 1 cumulative rest hour per 8 consecutive hours (§ 75(C)) |
State minor rule does not specify pay; federally, short rests are paid and a meal may be unpaid only with complete relief (29 C.F.R. §§ 785.18-.19) |
No adult state rule to waive; under-16 minimum is mandatory; any meal with duties is paid under 29 C.F.R. § 785.19 |
Under-16 rule covers gainful occupations other than agriculture or domestic service; no state break requirement from age 16 onward (§ 75; ODOL FAQ) |
Under 16: 30 cumulative min before >5 consecutive hours and 1 cumulative hour per 8 consecutive hours; employer documents breaks (§ 75(C); ODOL FAQ) |
Oklahoma Department of Labor Child Labor Unit complaint/enforcement for under-16 violations; no adult missed-break remedy because no adult mandate |
| Oregon verified 2026-07-12 | OAR 839-020-0050 (adult meal/rest rule), OAR 839-021-0072 (15-min minor rests), enforced by Oregon BOLI |
30 min at 6 hours; 2 meals at 14 hours; 3 at 22 hours. For 6-7 hours, meal after hour 2 and before hour 5; over 7 hours, after hour 3 and before hour 6 (OAR 839-020-0050) |
Paid 10 min per 4-hour segment or major part (>2 hours), near the segment's middle; 3 rests after 10 hours (OAR 839-020-0050) |
Duty-free meal may be unpaid; interrupted/on-duty meal is paid for the entire meal period; required rests are paid |
Generally no waiver; narrow written waiver for tipped food/beverage servers age 18+ after 7 days, and only through an 8-hour shift; hardship/custom/emergency exceptions require paid time |
Nonexempt employees; narrow lone-worker retail/service rest exception; special meal timing for acute inpatient care; industry rules may differ |
Under 18: 30-min meals under the adult schedule, but 15-min paid rests; meal exceptions apply only to ages 16-17, never 14-15 (OAR 839-021-0072) |
BOLI civil penalty up to $1,000 for each meal- or rest-period violation (OAR 839-020-1010) |
| Pennsylvania verified 2026-07-11 | No adult break mandate; Pennsylvania Child Labor Act § 3(a) requires a minor's break; federal pay rules at 29 C.F.R. §§ 785.18-.19 |
Adults: none required. Minors under 18: at least 30 minutes by 5 continuous work hours (Child Labor Act § 3(a)) |
Adults: none required. The minor rule calls the 30-minute interval a 'rest break' (§ 3(a)) |
Provided short rests (5-about 20 min) are paid; bona fide meals may be unpaid only if fully relieved (29 C.F.R. §§ 785.18-.19) |
Adults: N/A — no state right to waive. Minor statute states no ordinary waiver in § 3(a); on-duty meal time remains paid under § 785.19(a) |
Adult private employees have no general state mandate; § 3(a) covers minors, while § 3(g) excludes performances governed by the Act's separate § 5 |
All covered minors under 18: at least 30 minutes after no more than 5 continuous hours; shorter pause does not interrupt the clock (§ 3(a)) |
No adult missed-break premium; child-law violation may bring $500/$1,500 criminal fines and up to $5,000 administrative penalty (§ 11) |
| Rhode Island verified 2026-07-12 | R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-3-14 (required mealtimes); §§ 28-3-15 and 28-3-18 (penalty and enforcement) |
20 min within a 6-hour shift; 30 min with an 8-hour shift (§ 28-3-14) |
No additional short-rest requirement; provided short rests of about 5-20 min are paid under 29 C.F.R. § 785.18 |
Required mealtime need not be paid (§ 28-3-14); duties during a meal make the time paid under 29 C.F.R. § 785.19(a) |
No express waiver or on-duty-meal substitute in § 28-3-14; federal pay rules apply if duties continue |
All employees, except licensed healthcare facilities and worksites with fewer than 3 people on the shift (§ 28-3-14) |
No separate youth schedule; § 28-3-14 says 'all employees,' so covered minors receive the same mealtime rule |
DLT enforces the chapter; willful violation carries a $100 fine per offense (§§ 28-3-15, 28-3-18); no premium-pay remedy stated |
| South Carolina verified 2026-07-12 | No South Carolina meal/rest-break mandate (SC LLR guidance); S.C. Code § 41-13-20 governs oppressive child labor but creates no break schedule |
None required by South Carolina law |
None required by South Carolina law; provided short rests of 5-about 20 min are paid work under 29 C.F.R. § 785.18 |
Provided short rests are paid; a bona fide meal is ordinarily unpaid only if completely duty-free (§§ 785.18-.19) |
Not applicable because South Carolina mandates no break; duties performed while eating make the period worktime under § 785.19 |
No general state coverage for private-sector workers; employer policy, agreement, or an occupation-specific rule may provide more |
No separate South Carolina meal/rest mandate; § 41-13-20 and current LLR guidance instead regulate age, hours, and hazardous work |
No South Carolina missed-break remedy because no general break is mandated; federal pay rules still apply to provided breaks and work during meals |
| South Dakota verified 2026-07-12 | No state meal/rest-break mandate; South Dakota DLR Work Breaks guidance; federal pay rules at 29 C.F.R. §§ 785.18-.19 |
None required by South Dakota law; employer policy controls whether one is offered (DLR guidance) |
None required by South Dakota law; provided short rests of about 5-20 min are paid (DLR; 29 C.F.R. § 785.18) |
Provided short rests are paid; bona fide meals may be unpaid only with complete relief (29 C.F.R. §§ 785.18-.19) |
No South Dakota scheduling rule to waive; duties during a purported meal make the time paid under § 785.19(a) |
No general state break entitlement for ordinary private-sector employees; employer policies or agreements may provide breaks |
No separate state meal/rest schedule; DLR lists youth hours and hazardous-work limits but no break requirement |
No state missed-break remedy because South Dakota requires no break; unpaid compensable time remains a wage-law issue |
| Tennessee verified 2026-07-12 | Tenn. Code Ann. § 50-2-103(h) (adults) and § 50-5-115 (minors); current TDLWD Wage Regulations/Child Labor guidance |
30 min unpaid when scheduled for 6 consecutive hours; not during or before first hour (§ 50-2-103(h)) |
No additional short rests required; the required 30-min period may be a meal or rest period (TDLWD guidance) |
Required 30-min period is unpaid; work during it remains compensable under federal hours-worked rules |
Adult ample-opportunity exception; § 50-2-103(h)(2) waiver may apply to qualifying adults; neither exception nor waiver applies under 18 |
Employees scheduled 6 consecutive hours; adult exception where the nature of the business gives ample opportunity to rest or take an appropriate break |
Under 18: 30-min unpaid break/meal on 6 consecutive hours, not in/before first hour; no ample-opportunity exception or adult waiver (§ 50-5-115) |
TDLWD Wage and Break complaint; unresolved claim may go to central review and possible penalty assessment; state guidance warns a break complaint itself has no job-protection rule |
| Texas verified 2026-07-11 | No Texas adult meal/rest-break mandate; federal pay rules govern employer-provided breaks (29 C.F.R. §§ 785.18-.19) |
None required for adult private-sector employees in Texas |
None required for adult private-sector employees in Texas |
Provided short rests (5-about 20 min) count as paid work; bona fide meals are unpaid only if fully relieved (29 C.F.R. §§ 785.18-.19) |
N/A — no state break right to waive; work performed while eating remains paid work under § 785.19(a) |
No general state mandate, so no statewide adult coverage/exemption scheme; federal and occupation-specific rules may still apply |
No separate Texas meal/rest interval identified for minors; Texas child-labor law instead regulates ages, hours, and hazardous work |
No Texas missed-break premium; recover unpaid wages if a provided short break or on-duty meal was wrongly excluded from hours worked |
| Utah verified 2026-07-12 | No adult mandate; Utah Admin. Code R610-2-3 requires meals and paid rests for employees under 18 |
None required for adults; under 18 receives ≥30 min no later than 5 hours after shift begins (R610-2-3) |
None required for adults; under 18 receives paid 10 min per 4 hours or fraction and cannot work >3 consecutive hours without 10 min (R610-2-3) |
Minor rests are paid; a ≥30-min meal is unpaid only when relieved of all responsibilities (R610-2-3; R610-3-2(H)) |
No adult state rule to waive; minor rule states mandatory opportunities; on-duty or shorter break time counts as paid hours |
Adult private-sector workers have no general state entitlement; R610-2-3 applies to minor employees under 18 |
Under 18: ≥30-min meal by hour 5; paid 10-min rest per 4 hours or fraction; never >3 consecutive hours without rest (R610-2-3) |
Utah Antidiscrimination and Labor Division investigates/adjudicates claims under the Employment of Minors Act and R610 |
| Vermont verified 2026-07-12 | 21 V.S.A. § 304 (reasonable opportunities to eat and use toilet facilities); federal pay treatment in U.S. DOL Fact Sheet #22 |
Reasonable opportunities during work periods to eat; no fixed duration or hours-worked trigger (§ 304) |
No separate state short-rest quota; provided short rests, usually ≤20 min, count as paid work time (Fact Sheet #22) |
Vermont DOL: lunch is paid unless ≥30 min and completely uninterrupted/free from work; short rests generally paid |
No statutory waiver formula; employer must still provide a reasonable eating opportunity, and interrupted/on-duty lunch is paid |
Section 304 says 'an employer' shall provide 'an employee' reasonable opportunities; no industry or headcount exception stated in the section |
Same § 304 reasonable-opportunity rule; no separate statewide meal/rest duration stated solely for minors |
No fixed missed-break premium in § 304; Vermont Wage and Hour investigates employment-condition and wage disputes |
| Virginia verified 2026-07-12 | No mandate at age 16+ (Virginia DOLI FAQ); 16VAC15-40-30(B) and -40(C) govern nonagricultural and agricultural workers under 16; Va. Code § 40.1-113 penalties |
None required at age 16+; covered workers under 16 get at least 30 min before exceeding 5 continuous hours (16VAC15-40-30(B), -40(C)) |
None required at age 16+; provided short rests of 5-about 20 min are paid work under 29 C.F.R. § 785.18 |
Provided short rests are paid; a bona fide meal is ordinarily unpaid only if completely duty-free (§§ 785.18-.19); youth rule does not designate pay |
Not applicable at age 16+; youth rule states no waiver and says a period under 30 min does not interrupt continuous work |
No general coverage at age 16+; under-16 rules cover private nonagricultural/agricultural work, subject to listed parent, public-body, theatrical, rescue, and other exceptions (16VAC15-40-50) |
Covered workers under 16: at least 30 min before exceeding 5 continuous hours; shorter period does not interrupt work |
No adult state missed-break remedy; child-law violation generally carries $500-$2,500 civil penalty, up to $25,000 if serious injury/death results (§ 40.1-113(A)) |
| Washington verified 2026-07-12 | WAC 296-126-092; coverage/variance rules in WAC 296-126-001 and -130; L&I Administrative Policy ES.C.6.1 |
30 min on a shift over 5 hours, starting between hours 2 and 5; no more than 5 consecutive hours without a meal; extra meal for 3+ hours beyond the normal day |
Paid 10 min per 4 hours, near the midpoint; no more than 3 hours without rest; qualifying intermittent rests may total 10 min (§ 092(4)-(5)) |
Duty-free uninterrupted meal may be unpaid; on-duty or interrupted meal is paid; every required rest period is paid (§ 092(1), (4); ES.C.6.1) |
Meal may be waived by employee-employer agreement and later requested; writing recommended, not required; rest cannot be waived; on-duty meal is paid |
Ordinary adult nonagricultural employees; excludes newspaper vendors/carriers and domestic/casual labor; agriculture and minors use separate rules; qualifying construction CBA may vary breaks |
Under 16: uninterrupted 30-min meal by 4 consecutive hours and a 10-min paid rest, with no more than 2 hours without either; ages 16-17: 30-min meal by 5 hours and paid 10-min rest when working 4+ hours |
Worker may complain to L&I; agency may order corrective action and/or money owed; missed paid rest time is compensable work time (L&I complaint guidance; § 092(4)) |
| West Virginia verified 2026-07-12 | W. Va. Code § 21-3-10a; 42 W. Va. C.S.R. § 8-11.3 (pay treatment); stricter under-16 rule at § 21-6-7(a)(7) |
At least 20 minutes during a workday of 6+ hours, at a time reasonably designated by the employer (§ 21-3-10a) |
No separate adult 10- or 15-minute rest quota; necessary breaks or permission to eat while working can satisfy § 21-3-10a |
A break/meal of 20 consecutive minutes or less is paid; a meal typically lasting 30+ consecutive minutes may be unpaid (42 W. Va. C.S.R. § 8-11.3) |
No individual waiver form; the 20-minute requirement does not apply where employees already receive necessary breaks and/or may eat lunch while working (§ 21-3-10a) |
Statute says all employers/employees on 6+ hour workdays; article excludes portions of coal-mining operations supervised by the mining agency (§§ 21-3-10a, 21-3-14) |
Covered workers under 16: at least 30 minutes after no more than 5 continuous hours (§ 21-6-7(a)(7)); 16- and 17-year-olds use the adult rule |
Division of Labor enforcement; no employee premium stated. Default § 21-3-14 penalty: $10-$50 fine and/or up to 6 months, each day separate; civil recovery by the state allowed |
| Wisconsin verified 2026-07-12 | Wis. Admin. Code DWD 274.02; Wis. Stat. §§ 103.66(2), 103.82 |
Adults: recommended 30 min near usual meal/midshift, not mandatory; minors: 30 duty-free min before >6 consecutive hours (DWD 274.02(2) note) |
No short-rest mandate; provided short rests of 5-about 20 min are paid work under 29 C.F.R. § 785.18 |
Covered employees: meal is paid if <30 min free from work or not free to leave premises (DWD 274.02(3)); short rests are paid (§ 785.18) |
No adult break to waive; minor duty-free meal is mandatory; on-duty or premises-confined meal is paid (DWD 274.02(2)-(3)) |
DWD 274 covers listed manufacturing, mechanical, mercantile, service, hospitality, transport, and other establishments; household domestic service is excluded (DWD 274.015) |
Under 18: at least 30 duty-free min before exceeding 6 consecutive hours, near a usual meal time or midshift (DWD 274.02(2) note; DWD guidance) |
Minor violation: $25-$1,000 per day first offense; $250-$5,000 per day and/or up to 30 days for repeat within 5 years; twice regular rate liquidated damages (§ 103.82(1)) |
| Wyoming verified 2026-07-12 | No state meal/rest-break mandate; Wyoming DWS FAQ ('Not under state statute') + current official Title 27; federal pay rules in Fact Sheet #22 |
None required by Wyoming law; employer policy or agreement controls whether one is offered |
None required; provided short rests, usually ≤20 min, count as paid hours worked (U.S. DOL Fact Sheet #22) |
Provided short rests are paid; bona fide meals, typically ≥30 min, may be unpaid only with complete relief from duty (Fact Sheet #22) |
No Wyoming scheduling right to waive; active or inactive duty during a purported meal makes the time paid under federal law |
No general state break entitlement for ordinary private-sector workers; employer policies, contracts, or CBAs may provide breaks |
No separate Wyoming meal/rest schedule; current DWS youth guidance lists hour and hazardous-work limits without a break mandate |
No state missed-break remedy because Wyoming requires no break; unpaid compensable provided-break time remains a wage-law issue |
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