§ 53-1-120 — Employment of children in certain establishments on Sunday; opposition to Sunday work.

It shall be unlawful for any person to employ, require or permit the employment of children to work or labor in any mercantile establishment or manufacturing establishment on Sunday. Provided, that no employee shall be required to work on Sunday, who is conscientiously opposed to Sunday work; and if any employee should refuse to work on Sunday on account of conscientious or physical objections he or she shall not jeopardize his or her seniority rights by such refusal or be discriminated against in any other manner. This section shall not apply to those manufacturing establishments described in Section 53-1-130. The term "mercantile establishment" shall be construed to mean any place where goods or wares are offered or exposed for sale, except cafeterias and restaurants. The term "manufacturing establishment" shall be construed to mean any plant or place of business engaged in manufacturing. The Commissioner of Labor and factory inspectors are charged with the enforcement of this section. The commission and his duly authorized agents or inspectors shall have free access to any place where children are employed for the purpose of enforcing compliance with the provisions of this section. Any person who hinders or obstructs the commissioner, or any of his duly authorized agents or inspectors in the performance of their duties shall be guilty of violating this section. Any person violating any of the provisions hereof shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine of not less than twenty-five dollars, nor more than one hundred dollars, or imprisonment not to exceed thirty days for each offense.

Legislative History

HISTORY: 1962 Code SECTION 64-5; 1952 Code SECTION 64-5; 1942 Code SECTION 1735-2; 1934 (38) 1454; 1941 (42) 119; 1953 (48) 242; 1973 (58) 372.