(a)
Notwithstanding any other provision of this article and Article 2 (commencing with Section 49110) of Chapter 7 of Part 27 of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Education Code, the Labor Commissioner may issue an exemption from laws regulating the employment of minors to employers operating agricultural packing plants that employ minors 16 and 17 years of age during any day during which school is not in session, for up to 10 hours per day during the peak harvest season. These exemptions shall only be granted if they do not materially affect the safety and welfare of minor employees and will prevent undue hardship on the employer. The Labor Commissioner may require an inspection of an agricultural packing plant prior to issuing an exemption.
(b)
Any exemption granted pursuant to subdivision (a) shall be in writing to be effective, and may be revoked after reasonable notice is given, in writing, by the Labor Commissioner. Any notice of revocation shall include the reason for the revocation.
(c)
An application for an exemption under subdivision (a) shall be made by an employer on a form provided by the Labor Commissioner, and a copy of the application shall be posted at the employer’s place of employment at the time the application is filed with the division.