{
  "name": "Meal and rest break requirements by US state \u2014 hours worked before a break is owed, its length, and whether it's paid, quoted from the state's own labor law",
  "description": "Most US states impose no meal- or rest-break requirement at all on private employers \u2014 federal law (the FLSA) doesn't require either. A minority of states do, and the rules vary sharply: the hours-worked threshold that triggers a meal break, its minimum length, whether it counts as paid time, and whether a separate rest break is owed on top of it, each set independently by that state's own statute or wage regulation. California requires a 30-minute meal break after 5 hours (a second after 10) and a paid 10-minute rest break per 4 hours; Illinois requires only a 20-minute meal break after 7.5 hours worked and no rest break at all; most states require neither. Free HR-vendor comparison charts on this topic (Paycor, HiveDesk, TimeClick) are comprehensive but cite no statute or regulation section, so a reader has no way to check a row against its source \u2014 and at least one such chart is already stale on Minnesota, whose meal- and rest-break law changed effective January 1, 2026. Each record is one state with a break requirement, giving the meal-break rule and the rest-break rule as the statute or regulation states them, each backed by a verbatim quote, plus the citation. States with no break requirement are omitted rather than asserted, since the absence itself has to be checked per state and isn't claimed here without a source stating it. Answers 'does my state require a lunch break', 'am I entitled to a paid break at work', 'how many hours can I work before I'm owed a break in [state]'.",
  "url": "https://referencesource.org/meal-and-rest-break-requirements-by-state/",
  "licence": "unknown",
  "last_verified": "2026-09-02",
  "stale_after": "2027-09-02",
  "sources": [
    "https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=LAB&sectionNum=512.",
    "https://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/faq_restperiods.htm",
    "https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/colorado/7-CCR-1103-1-5",
    "https://www.cga.ct.gov/current/pub/chap_557.htm#sec_31-51ii",
    "https://delcode.delaware.gov/title19/c007/sc01/index.html",
    "https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/fulltext.asp?DocName=082001400K3",
    "https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/statute.aspx?id=32077",
    "https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/statute.aspx?id=49845",
    "https://legislature.maine.gov/statutes/26/title26sec601.html",
    "https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=gle&section=3-710&enactments=false",
    "https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXXI/Chapter149/Section100",
    "https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/177.254",
    "https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/177.253",
    "https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=48-212",
    "https://www.leg.state.nv.us/nrs/nrs-608.html#NRS608Sec019",
    "https://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rsa/html/XXIII/275/275-30-a.htm",
    "https://newyork.public.law/laws/n.y._labor_law_section_162",
    "https://www.ndlegis.gov/information/acdata/pdf/46-02-07.pdf",
    "https://oregon.public.law/rules/oar_839-020-0050",
    "https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE28/28-3/28-3-14.htm",
    "https://www.tn.gov/workforce/employees/labor-laws/labor-laws-redirect/wages-breaks.html",
    "https://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/section/21/005/00304",
    "https://app.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=296-126-092",
    "https://code.wvlegislature.gov/21-3-10A/"
  ],
  "records": [
    {
      "jurisdiction": "California",
      "meal_break_requirement": "An employer shall not employ an employee for a work period of more than five hours per day without providing the employee with a meal period of not less than 30 minutes",
      "rest_break_requirement": "must authorize and permit a net 10-minute paid rest period for every four hours worked or major fraction thereof",
      "statute_citation": "Cal. Labor Code \u00a7 512 (meal); Industrial Welfare Commission Wage Orders, per DLSE (rest)",
      "id": "california",
      "url": "https://referencesource.org/meal-and-rest-break-requirements-by-state/california/",
      "source": "https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=LAB&sectionNum=512.",
      "source_quote": "An employer shall not employ an employee for a work period of more than five hours per day without providing the employee with a meal period of not less than 30 minutes, except that if the total work period per day of the employee is no more than six hours, the meal period may be waived by mutual consent of both the employer and employee.",
      "verified_fields": [
        "meal_break_requirement",
        "rest_break_requirement"
      ],
      "derived_fields": [
        "jurisdiction",
        "statute_citation"
      ]
    },
    {
      "jurisdiction": "Colorado",
      "meal_break_requirement": "Employees shall be entitled to an uninterrupted and duty-free meal period of at least a 30-minute duration when the shift exceeds 5 consecutive hours",
      "rest_break_requirement": "Every employer shall authorize and permit a compensated 10-minute rest period for each 4 hours of work, or major fractions thereof, for all employees",
      "statute_citation": "7 CCR 1103-1-5 (COMPS Order #38, Rule 5)",
      "id": "colorado",
      "url": "https://referencesource.org/meal-and-rest-break-requirements-by-state/colorado/",
      "source": "https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/colorado/7-CCR-1103-1-5",
      "source_quote": "Employees shall be entitled to an uninterrupted and duty-free meal period of at least a 30-minute duration when the shift exceeds 5 consecutive hours. Such meal periods, to the extent practical, shall be at least one hour after the start, and one hour before the end of the shift.",
      "verified_fields": [
        "meal_break_requirement",
        "rest_break_requirement"
      ],
      "derived_fields": [
        "jurisdiction",
        "statute_citation"
      ]
    },
    {
      "jurisdiction": "Connecticut",
      "meal_break_requirement": "No person shall be required to work for seven and one-half or more consecutive hours without a period of at least thirty consecutive minutes for a meal",
      "statute_citation": "Conn. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 31-51ii",
      "id": "connecticut",
      "url": "https://referencesource.org/meal-and-rest-break-requirements-by-state/connecticut/",
      "source": "https://www.cga.ct.gov/current/pub/chap_557.htm#sec_31-51ii",
      "source_quote": "No person shall be required to work for seven and one-half or more consecutive hours without a period of at least thirty consecutive minutes for a meal. Such period shall be given at some time after the first two hours of work and before the last two hours.",
      "verified_fields": [
        "meal_break_requirement"
      ],
      "derived_fields": [
        "jurisdiction",
        "statute_citation"
      ]
    },
    {
      "jurisdiction": "Delaware",
      "meal_break_requirement": "An employer must allow an employee an unpaid meal break of at least 30 consecutive minutes, if the employee works 71/2 or more consecutive hours",
      "statute_citation": "19 Del. C. \u00a7 707",
      "id": "delaware",
      "url": "https://referencesource.org/meal-and-rest-break-requirements-by-state/delaware/",
      "source": "https://delcode.delaware.gov/title19/c007/sc01/index.html",
      "source_quote": "An employer must allow an employee an unpaid meal break of at least 30 consecutive minutes, if the employee works 71/2 or more consecutive hours. The meal break must be given some time after the first 2 hours of work and before the last 2 hours.",
      "verified_fields": [
        "meal_break_requirement"
      ],
      "derived_fields": [
        "jurisdiction",
        "statute_citation"
      ]
    },
    {
      "jurisdiction": "Illinois",
      "meal_break_requirement": "Every employer shall permit its employees who are to work for 7 1/2 continuous hours, except those specified in this Section, at least 20 minutes for a meal period beginning no later than 5 hours after the start of the work period",
      "statute_citation": "820 ILCS 140/3",
      "id": "illinois",
      "url": "https://referencesource.org/meal-and-rest-break-requirements-by-state/illinois/",
      "source": "https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/fulltext.asp?DocName=082001400K3",
      "source_quote": "Every employer shall permit its employees who are to work for 7 1/2 continuous hours, except those specified in this Section, at least 20 minutes for a meal period beginning no later than 5 hours after the start of the work period. An employee who works in excess of 7 1/2 continuous hours shall be entitled to an additional 20-minute meal period for every additional 4 1/2 continuous hours worked.",
      "verified_fields": [
        "meal_break_requirement"
      ],
      "derived_fields": [
        "jurisdiction",
        "statute_citation"
      ]
    },
    {
      "jurisdiction": "Kentucky",
      "meal_break_requirement": "Employers, except those subject to the Federal Railway Labor Act, shall grant their employees a reasonable period for lunch, and such time shall be as close to the middle of the employee's scheduled work shift as possible",
      "rest_break_requirement": "No employer shall require any employee to work without a rest period of at least ten (10) minutes during each four (4) hours worked",
      "statute_citation": "KRS 337.355 (lunch period); KRS 337.365 (rest periods)",
      "id": "kentucky",
      "url": "https://referencesource.org/meal-and-rest-break-requirements-by-state/kentucky/",
      "source": "https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/statute.aspx?id=32077",
      "source_quote": "Employers, except those subject to the Federal Railway Labor Act, shall grant their employees a reasonable period for lunch, and such time shall be as close to the middle of the employee's scheduled work shift as possible.",
      "verified_fields": [
        "meal_break_requirement",
        "rest_break_requirement"
      ],
      "derived_fields": [
        "jurisdiction",
        "statute_citation"
      ]
    },
    {
      "jurisdiction": "Maine",
      "meal_break_requirement": "may be employed or permitted to work for no more than 6 consecutive hours at one time unless the employee is given the opportunity to take at least 30 consecutive minutes of rest time",
      "statute_citation": "26 M.R.S. \u00a7 601",
      "id": "maine",
      "url": "https://referencesource.org/meal-and-rest-break-requirements-by-state/maine/",
      "source": "https://legislature.maine.gov/statutes/26/title26sec601.html",
      "source_quote": "may be employed or permitted to work for no more than 6 consecutive hours at one time unless the employee is given the opportunity to take at least 30 consecutive minutes of rest time, except in cases of emergency in which there is danger to property, life, public safety or public health. This rest time may be used by the employee as unpaid mealtime, but only if the employee is completely relieved of duty.",
      "verified_fields": [
        "meal_break_requirement"
      ],
      "derived_fields": [
        "jurisdiction",
        "statute_citation"
      ]
    },
    {
      "jurisdiction": "Maryland",
      "meal_break_requirement": "An employer may not employ an employee at a retail establishment for more than 6 consecutive hours without providing a nonworking shift break of at least 30 minutes",
      "rest_break_requirement": "If an employee works 8 consecutive hours in a single shift, the employer shall provide an additional nonworking shift break of at least 15 minutes for every additional 4 consecutive hours the employer employs the employee in the shift",
      "statute_citation": "Md. Code, Lab. & Empl. \u00a7 3-710",
      "id": "maryland",
      "url": "https://referencesource.org/meal-and-rest-break-requirements-by-state/maryland/",
      "source": "https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=gle&section=3-710&enactments=false",
      "source_quote": "An employer may not employ an employee at a retail establishment for more than 6 consecutive hours without providing a nonworking shift break of at least 30 minutes.",
      "verified_fields": [
        "meal_break_requirement",
        "rest_break_requirement"
      ],
      "derived_fields": [
        "jurisdiction",
        "statute_citation"
      ]
    },
    {
      "jurisdiction": "Massachusetts",
      "meal_break_requirement": "No person shall be required to work for more than six hours during a calendar day without an interval of at least thirty minutes for a meal",
      "statute_citation": "M.G.L. c. 149, \u00a7 100",
      "id": "massachusetts",
      "url": "https://referencesource.org/meal-and-rest-break-requirements-by-state/massachusetts/",
      "source": "https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXXI/Chapter149/Section100",
      "source_quote": "Section 100. No person shall be required to work for more than six hours during a calendar day without an interval of at least thirty minutes for a meal.",
      "verified_fields": [
        "meal_break_requirement"
      ],
      "derived_fields": [
        "jurisdiction",
        "statute_citation"
      ]
    },
    {
      "jurisdiction": "Minnesota",
      "meal_break_requirement": "An employer must allow each employee who is working for six or more consecutive hours a meal break of at least 30 minutes",
      "rest_break_requirement": "An employer must allow each employee a rest break of at least 15 minutes or enough time to utilize the nearest convenient restroom, whichever is longer, within each four consecutive hours of work",
      "statute_citation": "Minn. Stat. \u00a7 177.254 (mandatory meal break); \u00a7 177.253 (mandatory work breaks)",
      "id": "minnesota",
      "url": "https://referencesource.org/meal-and-rest-break-requirements-by-state/minnesota/",
      "source": "https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/177.254",
      "source_quote": "An employer must allow each employee who is working for six or more consecutive hours a meal break of at least 30 minutes.",
      "verified_fields": [
        "meal_break_requirement",
        "rest_break_requirement"
      ],
      "derived_fields": [
        "jurisdiction",
        "statute_citation"
      ]
    },
    {
      "jurisdiction": "Nebraska",
      "meal_break_requirement": "owning or operating an assembling plant, workshop, or mechanical establishment employing one or more persons shall allow all of their employees not less than thirty consecutive minutes for lunch in each eight-hour shift",
      "statute_citation": "Neb. Rev. Stat. \u00a7 48-212",
      "id": "nebraska",
      "url": "https://referencesource.org/meal-and-rest-break-requirements-by-state/nebraska/",
      "source": "https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=48-212",
      "source_quote": "Any person, firm, or corporation owning or operating an assembling plant, workshop, or mechanical establishment employing one or more persons shall allow all of their employees not less than thirty consecutive minutes for lunch in each eight-hour shift, and during such time it shall be unlawful for any such employer to require such employee or employees to remain in buildings or on the premises where their labor is performed.",
      "verified_fields": [
        "meal_break_requirement"
      ],
      "derived_fields": [
        "jurisdiction",
        "statute_citation"
      ]
    },
    {
      "jurisdiction": "Nevada",
      "meal_break_requirement": "An employer shall not employ an employee for a continuous period of 8 hours without permitting the employee to have a meal period of at least one-half hour",
      "rest_break_requirement": "The duration of the rest periods shall be based on the total hours worked daily at the rate of 10 minutes for each 4 hours or major fraction thereof",
      "statute_citation": "NRS 608.019",
      "id": "nevada",
      "url": "https://referencesource.org/meal-and-rest-break-requirements-by-state/nevada/",
      "source": "https://www.leg.state.nv.us/nrs/nrs-608.html#NRS608Sec019",
      "source_quote": "An employer shall not employ an employee for a continuous period of 8 hours without permitting the employee to have a meal period of at least one-half hour. No period of less than 30 minutes interrupts a continuous period of work for the purposes of this subsection.",
      "verified_fields": [
        "meal_break_requirement",
        "rest_break_requirement"
      ],
      "derived_fields": [
        "jurisdiction",
        "statute_citation"
      ]
    },
    {
      "jurisdiction": "New Hampshire",
      "meal_break_requirement": "An employer may not require an employee to work more than 5 consecutive hours without granting him a 1/2 hour lunch or eating period",
      "statute_citation": "RSA 275:30-a",
      "id": "new-hampshire",
      "url": "https://referencesource.org/meal-and-rest-break-requirements-by-state/new-hampshire/",
      "source": "https://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rsa/html/XXIII/275/275-30-a.htm",
      "source_quote": "An employer may not require an employee to work more than 5 consecutive hours without granting him a 1/2 hour lunch or eating period, except if it is feasible for the employee to eat during the performance of his work, and the employer permits him to do so.",
      "verified_fields": [
        "meal_break_requirement"
      ],
      "derived_fields": [
        "jurisdiction",
        "statute_citation"
      ]
    },
    {
      "jurisdiction": "New York",
      "meal_break_requirement": "Every person employed in or in connection with a factory shall be allowed at least sixty minutes for the noon day meal. 2. Every person employed in or in connection with a mercantile or other establishment or occupation coming under the provisions of this chapter shall be allowed at least thirty minutes for the noon day meal, except as in this chapter otherwise provided",
      "statute_citation": "N.Y. Labor Law \u00a7 162",
      "id": "new-york",
      "url": "https://referencesource.org/meal-and-rest-break-requirements-by-state/new-york/",
      "source": "https://newyork.public.law/laws/n.y._labor_law_section_162",
      "source_quote": "Every person employed in or in connection with a factory shall be allowed at least sixty minutes for the noon day meal. 2. Every person employed in or in connection with a mercantile or other establishment or occupation coming under the provisions of this chapter shall be allowed at least thirty minutes for the noon day meal, except as in this chapter otherwise provided.",
      "verified_fields": [
        "meal_break_requirement"
      ],
      "derived_fields": [
        "jurisdiction",
        "statute_citation"
      ]
    },
    {
      "jurisdiction": "North Dakota",
      "meal_break_requirement": "A minimum thirty-minute meal period must be provided in each shift exceeding five hours when there are two or more employees on duty",
      "statute_citation": "N.D. Admin. Code \u00a7 46-02-07-02(5)",
      "id": "north-dakota",
      "url": "https://referencesource.org/meal-and-rest-break-requirements-by-state/north-dakota/",
      "source": "https://www.ndlegis.gov/information/acdata/pdf/46-02-07.pdf",
      "source_quote": "A minimum thirty-minute meal period must be provided in each shift exceeding five hours when there are two or more employees on duty. Employees may waive their right to a meal period upon agreement with the employer.",
      "verified_fields": [
        "meal_break_requirement"
      ],
      "derived_fields": [
        "jurisdiction",
        "statute_citation"
      ]
    },
    {
      "jurisdiction": "Oregon",
      "meal_break_requirement": "every employer shall provide to each employee, for each work period of not less than six or more than eight hours, a meal period of not less than 30 continuous minutes during which the employee is relieved of all duties",
      "rest_break_requirement": "every employer shall provide to each employee, for each segment of four hours or major part thereof worked in a work period, a rest period of not less than ten continuous minutes during which the employee is relieved of all duties, without deduction from the employee\u2019s pay",
      "statute_citation": "OAR 839-020-0050",
      "id": "oregon",
      "url": "https://referencesource.org/meal-and-rest-break-requirements-by-state/oregon/",
      "source": "https://oregon.public.law/rules/oar_839-020-0050",
      "source_quote": "Except as otherwise provided in this rule, every employer shall provide to each employee, for each work period of not less than six or more than eight hours, a meal period of not less than 30 continuous minutes during which the employee is relieved of all duties.",
      "verified_fields": [
        "meal_break_requirement",
        "rest_break_requirement"
      ],
      "derived_fields": [
        "jurisdiction",
        "statute_citation"
      ]
    },
    {
      "jurisdiction": "Rhode Island",
      "meal_break_requirement": "All employees are entitled to a twenty-minute (20) mealtime within a six-hour (6) work shift, and a thirty-minute (30) mealtime with an eight-hour (8) work shift",
      "statute_citation": "R.I. Gen. Laws \u00a7 28-3-14",
      "id": "rhode-island",
      "url": "https://referencesource.org/meal-and-rest-break-requirements-by-state/rhode-island/",
      "source": "https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE28/28-3/28-3-14.htm",
      "source_quote": "All employees are entitled to a twenty-minute (20) mealtime within a six-hour (6) work shift, and a thirty-minute (30) mealtime with an eight-hour (8) work shift. An employer shall not be required to compensate an employee for this mealtime.",
      "verified_fields": [
        "meal_break_requirement"
      ],
      "derived_fields": [
        "jurisdiction",
        "statute_citation"
      ]
    },
    {
      "jurisdiction": "Tennessee",
      "meal_break_requirement": "State law requires that employees must be provided a thirty (30) minute unpaid meal or rest period if scheduled six (6) consecutive hours",
      "statute_citation": "Tenn. Code Ann. \u00a7 50-2-103 (h)",
      "id": "tennessee",
      "url": "https://referencesource.org/meal-and-rest-break-requirements-by-state/tennessee/",
      "source": "https://www.tn.gov/workforce/employees/labor-laws/labor-laws-redirect/wages-breaks.html",
      "source_quote": "State law requires that employees must be provided a thirty (30) minute unpaid meal or rest period if scheduled six (6) consecutive hours, except in workplace environments that by their nature of business provides for ample opportunity to rest or take an appropriate break.",
      "verified_fields": [
        "meal_break_requirement"
      ],
      "derived_fields": [
        "jurisdiction",
        "statute_citation"
      ]
    },
    {
      "jurisdiction": "Vermont",
      "meal_break_requirement": "An employer shall provide an employee with reasonable opportunities during work periods to eat and to use toilet facilities in order to protect the health and hygiene of the employee",
      "statute_citation": "21 V.S.A. \u00a7 304",
      "id": "vermont",
      "url": "https://referencesource.org/meal-and-rest-break-requirements-by-state/vermont/",
      "source": "https://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/section/21/005/00304",
      "source_quote": "An employer shall provide an employee with reasonable opportunities during work periods to eat and to use toilet facilities in order to protect the health and hygiene of the employee.",
      "verified_fields": [
        "meal_break_requirement"
      ],
      "derived_fields": [
        "jurisdiction",
        "statute_citation"
      ]
    },
    {
      "jurisdiction": "Washington",
      "meal_break_requirement": "Employees shall be allowed a meal period of at least thirty minutes which commences no less than two hours nor more than five hours from the beginning of the shift",
      "rest_break_requirement": "Employees shall be allowed a rest period of not less than ten minutes, on the employer's time, for each four hours of working time",
      "statute_citation": "WAC 296-126-092",
      "id": "washington",
      "url": "https://referencesource.org/meal-and-rest-break-requirements-by-state/washington/",
      "source": "https://app.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=296-126-092",
      "source_quote": "Employees shall be allowed a meal period of at least thirty minutes which commences no less than two hours nor more than five hours from the beginning of the shift. Meal periods shall be on the employer's time when the employee is required by the employer to remain on duty on the premises or at a prescribed work site in the interest of the employer.",
      "verified_fields": [
        "meal_break_requirement",
        "rest_break_requirement"
      ],
      "derived_fields": [
        "jurisdiction",
        "statute_citation"
      ]
    },
    {
      "jurisdiction": "West Virginia",
      "meal_break_requirement": "During the course of a workday of six or more hours, all employers shall make available for each of their employees, at least twenty minutes for meal breaks, at times reasonably designated by the employer",
      "statute_citation": "W. Va. Code \u00a7 21-3-10a",
      "id": "west-virginia",
      "url": "https://referencesource.org/meal-and-rest-break-requirements-by-state/west-virginia/",
      "source": "https://code.wvlegislature.gov/21-3-10A/",
      "source_quote": "During the course of a workday of six or more hours, all employers shall make available for each of their employees, at least twenty minutes for meal breaks, at times reasonably designated by the employer.",
      "verified_fields": [
        "meal_break_requirement"
      ],
      "derived_fields": [
        "jurisdiction",
        "statute_citation"
      ]
    }
  ]
}