Washington D.C. does not have a general law regarding meal and rest periods, but the following sections of the District of Columbia Code concern this topic.

Minors

32-206. Rest periods for minors in certain theatrical employments.

(a) The Board of Education may issue a theatrical employment permit to a minor under 18 years of age permitting the minor to:

(1) Perform on the stage of a licensed theatre within the District of Columbia in a professional theatrical production;

(2) Perform in a musical or dance recital or concert;

(3) Participate in a radio or television program;

(4) Participate in a motion picture;

(5) Appear as a fashion model; or

(6) Participate in a professional sports activity or circus.

(b) An application for a theatrical permit shall be made by the parent or guardian, and by the agent if applicable, of the minor to the Board of Education. The Board of Education may issue a theatrical employment permit if the Board is satisfied that adequate provisions have been made for the educational instruction of the minor, for safeguarding the minor's health, and for the proper supervision of the minor. The Board of Education may require the employer to provide the necessary resources to satisfy the requirements of this subsection.

(c) A minor shall not appear in more than 2 live performances in 1 day or more than 8 live performances in 1 week. A minor shall not appear in a live performance, or otherwise be required to work, before 7:00 a.m. or after 11:30 p.m. A licensed practical nurse with substantial pediatric experience, or a registered nurse who is a pediatric nurse practitioner, shall be provided for each 3 or fewer infants under the age of 30 months.

(d) A theatrical employment permit shall limit the time during which a minor 7 years of age or younger is permitted at the place of employment within a 24-hour period according to age as follows:

(1) An infant under the age of 6 months may be permitted to remain at the place of employment for a maximum of 2 hours, which shall consist of not more than 20 minutes of work.

(2) A minor between the ages of 6 months and 30 months may be permitted at the place of employment for a maximum of 4 hours, which shall consist of not more than 2 hours of work, with the balance of the 4-hour period being rest or recreation.

(3) A minor between the ages of 30 months and 7 years may be permitted at the place of employment for a maximum of 6 hours, which shall consist of not more than 3 hours of work, with the balance of the 6-hour period being rest, recreation, or education.

(e) For the purposes of this section, the term "theatrical employment permit" means an authorization to perform or appear in any of the activities listed in subsection (a) of this section for monetary remuneration, a gift, or other form of valuable consideration.

32-213. Penalties for violations.

(a) A person commits an offense under this subchapter if that person:

(1) Employs a minor or permits a minor to work in violation of this subchapter, of any regulation promulgated by the Board of Education pursuant to Sec. 32-223, or of any order issued under the provisions of Sec. 32-203; or

(2) Interferes with the Board of Education, its officers or agents, or any other person authorized by the District to inspect places of employment of minors.

(b) A person convicted of a 1st offense under this section shall be fined not less than $1,000 nor more than $3,000, or imprisoned not less than 10 days nor more than 30 days, or both. A person convicted of a 2nd or subsequent offense under this section shall be fined not less than $3,000 nor more than $5,000, or imprisoned not less than 30 days nor more than 90 days, or both. Each day during which a violation of this subchapter occurs shall constitute a separate offense.