New child labor legislation that would affect filming conditions for the eight Gosselin children on TLC's new show, "Kate Plus 8," was introduced Thursday.
Here's some of what Pennsylvania State Rep. Thomas Murt, who drafted the bill, had to say Thursday morning at a press conference. The bill will protect all children working on TV and film productions in a state where production is growing rapidly.
For more information from Rep. Murt's Website, go here. This post also includes video of Murt being interviewed this morning. Here are some of Murt's prepared remarks. They include the core aspects of his 31-page bill. He opens with reference to an April hearing that he chaired which led to the legislation introduced Thursday.
At that hearing, we heard testimony from officials at the Department of Labor and Industry as well as a number of experts and individuals who have been involved in television productions. Among them was Paul Petersen, who was a very successful and popular child actor himself and knows first-hand, the pitfalls of involving a child in this kind of work.
Based on the testimony we heard at the hearing, I have developed House Bill 2515. This bill is aimed at addressing several holes in the current law which were identified at the hearing. My legislation would:
- Require all minors to have a work permit issued by the state Department of Labor and Industry to ensure all adequate provisions have been made for the minor’s educational instruction, supervision, health and welfare.
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Restrict minors to work between the hours of 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. and set guidelines for amount of hours for work, recreation, school work, and activities per work day.
- Require the presence of a state certified “set teacher” on the set of any production. This person will serve as an advocate for the minor to ensure the minor’s health, education, and moral safety on the set. In addition, this person will monitor the working conditions, the minor’s mental health, and the demands placed on the minor to ensure they are appropriate to the minor’s age, strength, and stamina.
- Require that 15 percent of a minor’s gross earnings be set aside by the employer in a trust for the minor. At least one parent or legal guardian shall be trustee of these funds unless otherwise determined by a court.
Pennsylvania’s law must evolve to address current conditions. As the number of films and television shows produced in Pennsylvania continues to increase, it is only sensible that we adjust our laws to ensure they address the particular issues associated with that industry.
Nowhere is that more important than on issues which have an impact on children. We must ensure our labor laws provide appropriate protections for the children involved. My legislation will do that.
What do you think? Will it help make a difference in the lives of kids working on these shows?
