The state Department of Labor is investigating child labor violations at New York businesses as part of an initiative to protect working minors in the state, according to Gov. Kathy Hochul's office.

The department inspected 145 businesses related to child labor practices, resulting in $105,000 in penalties. 

In 2021, the department discovered several violations of child labor laws at a Wendy's restaurant located on Staten Island, including letting minors work during the school day, late on school nights or beyond daily and weekly working limits required by law. The department audited Princeton Food Services LLC following an anonymous complaint about the Staten Island location, resulting in the company paying $105,000 in penalties.

"New York State continues to build on our efforts to make our state the safest in the nation for all workers — particularly child workers," Hochul said in a statement. "With these new initiatives, we are reaffirming our commitment to ending abusive child labor practices and creating a safer work environment for all."

The Labor Department has a new online child labor complaint form for people to report violations as part of the department's work with the Child Labor Task Force announced earlier this year. Hochul announced the task force in March in response to a surge in child labor violations. 

A child labor hub also recently went live on the department's website, which features information for employers to improve compliance with federal and state child labor laws. It also has a scheduling template, sample work schedule, color-coding scheduling guide and online training videos.

The department's Division of Labor Standards continues to probe violations of child labor laws, including requiring workers ages 14 to 17 to have working papers to be employed in the state, abiding by minimum wage laws, and barring minors from performing certain tasks at worked deemed dangerous, according to the governor's office.

"Our children are the future of New York state and must be protected as they begin their journey into the world of work," Labor Department Commissioner Roberta Reardon said. "New York state has some of the strongest protections for minors in the workplace. Any business skirting the law will be found and swiftly brought to justice. I encourage young members of our workforce and their parents to understand their rights and to file complaints if they suspect they are a victim."