We encourage all interested parties to get involved in your state! Contact your legislator or the author of the bill and let them know what you think!
If you hear that your state has a bill pending, please let us know so we can include it on this list.
CURRENT Legislation Pending for:
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California AB 1401 - 2011 Creates an online option for obtaining an entertainment work permit in certain circumstances. There would be a fee (not more than $50) and would only be available for children getting their first permit (not for renewals).
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Pennsylvania HB2525 -- 2010 (Murt) This bill would make massive changes the current child entertainment labor law, making PA the most restrictive (protective) in the nation. The bill includes work hours, Coogan accounts, etc. Hearing is scheduled for Sept. 23 in Harrisburg, PA.
- Massachusetts Senate 1865 -- 2009 (Creem) Same bill as previously introduced in 2007-8 as S02001. Creates a child performer protection law including work hours parallel to SAG's requirements, education on 2nd day in 30 day period, permits for Mass. residents but out of state residents can use their home state permit, Coogan (15% BLOCKED).
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Massachusetts House 1285 -- 2009 (Bosley) Ammends the Mass. Coogan law to delete background performers, school productions and any job under $500.
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New Jersey A 3531 -- 2008-2009 (Vainieri Huttle) -- Inclusive child performer bill including work permits (6 mo. $200), blanket permits, education on the 2nd day in a 30 day period, Coogan accounts (15%).
- California AB 1319 -- 2009 (Krekorian) -- PASSED and took effect on 1/1/2010, Revises the current Advance Fee Talent Service Act, regulating talent services (other than agents, who are regulated by the Talent Agency Act). This would regulate talent training, "counselors' scouts, talent listing services and others who charge fees to performers before they are employed. It would require bonds, record keeping, deceptive advertising, making and cancelling contracts, etc.
- California AB 524 -- 2009 (Bass) -- PASSED and took effect on 1/1/2010. Further strengthens California's "paparazzi law" by fining both the photographer and the distributor of images obtained illegally. Examples would include photos taken of a celebrity's family life while the photographer was trespassing on their property.
Recent Dead Bills:
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Missouri SB 222 - 2011 (Cunningham) – DIED This act modifies the child labor laws. It eliminates the prohibition on employment of children under age fourteen. Restrictions on the number of hours and restrictions on when a child may work during the day are also removed. It also repeals the requirement that a child ages fourteen or fifteen obtain a work certificate or work permit in order to be employed. Children under sixteen will also be allowed to work in any capacity in a motel, resort or hotel where sleeping accommodations are furnished. It also removes the authority of the director of the Division of Labor Standards to inspect employers who employ children and to require them to keep certain records for children they employ. It also repeals the presumption that the presence of a child in a workplace is evidence of employment.
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Florida HB 5005-- 2011 DID NOT PASS THE SENATE This bill proposes a wide sweeping de-regulation of many business entities in Florida that currently require licensure. Among them are Talent Agents. This bill would repeal the entire section of Florida law that defines and requires Talent Agent licensing. See BizParentz letter of opposition here : BizParentz Florida HB 5005.pdf
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California AB2032 -- 2010 (Davis).-- VETOED Keeps the entertainment work permit process in the Dept of Labor, rather than transfer it to the public high schools as the Governor suggested. It creates new DLSE services for child actors (website updates, set visits, etc). Same bill as previously passed legislature in 2009, but was vetoed by Governor. This year's version makes an adjustment that allows the DLSE to create a fee for work permits, not to exceed $50, rather than the previous version which mandated the $50. As of 9/1/10 this bill is on the Governor's desk waiting for signature. He is expected to take action by 9/30/10.
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Connecticut S.B. 308 2007 (Finch) Basic child performer rights bill. This bill appears to have DIED IN COMMITTEE
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California AB402 -- 2009 (Davis) -- VETOED. Prevents the entertainment work permit process from being transferred to public high schools. Proposes a new charge for Entertainment Work Permits and creates a fund to use the money for child performer services. Fee as of 9/4/09 was proposed to be $50. This bill is likely to be re-introduced since the Governor's veto message indicated that he still intends to transfer the permit process to the schools, a move which the entertainment industry (MPAA, SAG and BizParentz) feels would be disastrous.
- California 632 -- 2009 (Davis) -- VETOED Regulates the copying and use of photos on social networking sites
- Florida HB 499 -- 2010 (Thompson, G.) DIED IN COMMITTEE Employment of Children by the Entertainment Industry: Provides regulations for employment of children in entertainment industry; provides responsibilities of employers & parents or legal guardians of such children; provides duties of Division of Regulation within DBPR; provides limitations on working hours of child performers; provides certification requirements & duties of teachers of child performers; requires trust account for certain children employed in entertainment industry; provides safety requirements for child performers; provides criteria for wage claims; provides grounds for refusal to issue or renew preauthorization certificate & procedures for challenging such determination.
Caution Flags: New York See also hYou can view videos of their recent meetings here: http://www.labor.state.ny.us/agencyinfo/childperformeradvisoryboard.shtm
ttp://www.bizparentz.org/newyork.html
New York Child Performer Advisory Board: This entity was established in 2008 with the stated purpose of recommending guidelines for young actors and models and preventing eating disorders. Parents should be concerned that this committee does not, apparently, include a parent of a child performer and yet it has far reaching implications that could violate privacy rights, disability rights, and more. The possibility of changes to work permits to include screenings, physicals, BMI height and weight standards. The committee reports to the Department of Labor.
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