(PRLEAP.COM) May 28, 2009 - Under existing law, minors in California must secure an entertainment work permit ("EWP") from the Labor Commissioner in order to be employed in entertainment productions or as an advertising or print model. For decades, the California Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (CA DLSE) has issued these work permits free of charge.
On February 23rd, 2009, State of California Assembly Member Mike Davis introduced Bill (http://www.aroundthecapitol.com/Bills/AB_402), which would require that a fee of $50.00 be charged every time a minor applies for an EWP in the State of California. Since the work permits are valid only six months at a time, this bill would effectively levy a $100 yearly tax on every child wanting to pursue a career in the entertainment industry.
In her objective and clearly written analysis, Dana Mitchell indicates that the bill’s stated aim is to enhance the protection of our children on film sets and other production sites. Alas, not a single statistic is provided about any abuse by studios and other entertainment companies who employ children. Mitchell also explains that it is the intent of the bill’s author to utilize some of the funds levied under the proposed law to form squadrons of field inspectors to be dispatched on production studios employing kids, for the purpose of enforcing the labor laws.
While the proposed bill closely resembles a solution in search of a problem, its consequences would be very real for one of the very few industries where California enjoys a trade surplus with the rest of the world.
The Hollywood Group’s Perla Piekutowski states, "We firmly believe that the work permit application process should continue to be free of charge. Taxing young workers honing their skills in a new industry and thinning the pool of youth talent available for the already dwindling amount of California productions seems like Sacramento’s recipe to harm Hollywood."
Parents who want to enable their child’s dream of working in the entertainment business already face an assortment of costs. The creation of a new cost unfairly shuts out lower income families from opportunities in Entertainment. As Bob Zachar of the Hollywood Group states, "Good grades were already a requirement for securing of a work permit. This proposed piece of legislation Bill (AB 402) punishes all at once good students and families of humbler means. I never thought I would live to see the day our State Government proposes to effectively tax work."
If you wish to voice your opinion in this matter, you should do so now before it’s too late. This bill is currently being held in suspense with the Appropriations Committee until May 28th when it will be heard and voted on. If the bill passes the Appropriations Committee, it will go to the Senate floor for a final vote. Please contact the Consultant for the Bill, or the Members of the Assembly below to voice your opinion.
Consultant for Bill:
Chuck Nicol
Tel: 916.319.2081 Fax: 916.319.2181
Chuck.Nicol@asm.ca.gov
Members of the Assembly:
Assemblymember.deLeon@assembly.ca.gov
Assemblymember.Krekorian@assembly.ca.gov
Assemblymember.Davis@assembly.ca.gov
About The Hollywood Group, Inc.
The Hollywood Group was founded in 2001 to help kids and teenagers get started in the entertainment industry. It has fulfilled its mission admirably, having facilitated countless young careers in the last 7 years. The company’s approach is pragmatic for it places the focus on work: kids gain valuable experience on actual TV shows and movie sets a short few weeks after becoming members. No other company has assembled a more hands-on, comprehensive, effective, and economical approach to helping kids start to work as actors in movies, TV shows and commercials. For more information, go to www.hollywoodgroup.com.
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