(

a) Except as provided in subdivisions (

b) and (c), a permit to work may be issued to a minor who has completed the equivalent of the 7th grade in a public school course to work outside of school hours for a period of time not to exceed three hours in any day while school is in session if the minor is or years of age, or four hours in any day in which he or she is required by law to attend school if the minor is or years of age. (

b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), a permit to work may be issued, at the school district’s discretion, to a minor years of age if he or she has completed grade 6, has been identified by the school district in which he or she is enrolled as exhibiting the potential to drop out of school, and is a participant in an employment program that is conducted on school premises and sponsored by one or more school districts, provided the program serves to foster the development of an appreciation by the pupil of the importance of education in preparing a pupil for future education and employment.

The permit shall limit the period any minor age may work pursuant to this subdivision to two hours on any given day, up to a maximum of four hours each week. (

c) A permit to work may also be issued to a minor age or older to work outside of school hours for a period of time not to exceed eight hours in any day in which the minor is required by law to attend school and which is immediately prior to a nonschoolday. (

d) Nothing in this

section shall apply to any minor employed to deliver newspapers to consumers.