April 1, 2026 — A Maine state lawmaker says a recent child labor violation against him was politically motivated, as the case draws attention to how state law is applied in the fishing industry.
Rep. Billy Bob Faulkingham was fined for failing to keep proper records after allowing a 14-year-old family friend to work on his lobster boat.
The case exposes a bit of a legal gray area. Kids aren’t allowed to do hazardous work, but lobstering, which is different from working with heavy machinery or toxic chemicals, isn’t specifically prohibited.
Many in Maine’s fishing industry say it is common practice for young people to work on boats as part of longstanding family traditions.