The actress-singer recently posed with the twins, Emme and Max, in advertisements for Gucci’s new kids line of clothing, who will be 3 years old next month.  While Lopez and her husband, Marc Anthony, were torn about doing the photo shoot, but eventually agreed to it.  However, Lopez claims that she agreed because the ads came in conjunction with a big donation to a charity, specifically, the United Nations’ children’s charity, UNICEF.

Jennifer Lopez’s efforts to help out UNICEF also drum up the idea of child labor.  According to the New York State Department of Labor, violations of any provision of the Labor Law, the Industrial Code, or any rule, regulation, or lawful order of the Department of Labor is a misdemeanor. Violators can be punished by fine or imprisonment, or both, as well as even civil penalties (up to $10,000) for each violation of labor law governing the employment of minors under 18 years old by an employer. Penalties include fine up to $1,000 for the first violation, $2,000, for the second, and $3,000 for the third and subsequent violations. Also, according to the New York State Department of Labor, an employer is not allowed penalize or discharge an employee because he/she complained to the Labor Department about the employer violating the law. Read More.

Additionally, there is a criminal aspect to child labor.  NY Penal Law 260.10 holds adults responsible for behavior which is harmful to children in two categories.  The first category of “Endangering” is a misdemeanor.  To be guilty of the crime of endangering the welfare of a child, the law states that any person who “knowingly acts in a manner likely to be injurious to the physical, mental or moral welfare of a child less than 17 or directs or authorizes such child to engage in an occupation involving substantial risk of danger to his life or health”.   There does not have to be proof that the child was in fact harmed since this crime protects the child’s “moral welfare,” as well as physical and mental health.  The second category of “endangering” applies only to a parent or guardian where that parent or guardian charged with the care or custody of a child less than 18 years old fails or refuses to exercise reasonable diligence to prevent him from becoming an abused child, neglected child, juvenile delinquent or a person in need of supervision, as those terms are defined in the Family Court Act (see NY Penal Law 260.20(2)).

If you or someone you know has been affected by a violation of child labor laws or underage employment, the lawyers at Leeds Morelli & Brown, PC, have extensive experience in handling all matters of labor disputes regarding wage and hour law, child labor law, and workers compensation lawsuits.  Victims of such offenses may be entitled to compensation. For more information or a consultation, contact Leeds Morelli & Brown, PC at 1-800-585-4658.