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Dear Friends,
Yesterday, I sent our first Child Performers Coalition Newsletter to over 500 people who had recently signed our petition asking the New York Department of Labor (DOL) to table their proposed changes to DOL §186 and work with affected groups to draft new language that encourages film, television and theatrical productions to do business in New York and protects the physical, mental and financial well being of child performers.
Today, I am sending our Newsletter to you ~ friends that are connected to the entertainment industry or media outlets in New York. Friends that I have met along the way through The Vagina Monologues, my son Toliver's work in film, my daughter Langley's work in music theatre or my own connection to film and to the City. The DOL's changes are not widely known and, if adopted, their impact will have adverse consequences for NY productions and child performers ~ and for other states, if viewed as model regulations.
These rule changes have been in the works for years ~ one could say these changes began when the original child performer law was enacted in 2003 or one could say they began three years ago when lawmakers decided to address eating disorders within the modeling industry. Both starting points would be correct. Suffice it to say, these rule changes contain many bad ideas that will become bad law if an amazing amount of effort and focus is not amassed in a very short period of time.
To keep you informed and build our coalition of supporters, we have developed a simple newsletter format. If you are not interested in receiving our updates, no worries ~ just click the unsubscribe link at the bottom of this email.
Thank you again for making your voice heard,
Kelly Crisp, Founder
Child Performers Coalition
www.childperformerscoalition.org |
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Second DOL Hearing Scheduled
The Department of Labor has elected to hold a second public hearing on January 10, 2011 from 10 am to 1:00 pm. Both the December 27th hearing from 10:00 am to 11:30 am and the new January 10th hearing will take place at 75 Varick Street, Conference Room G, New York, New York.
Testimony is limited to a few minutes per person. You may also hand deliver your written comments at either hearing or email them to us and we will hand deliver them. The period to email your comments to Jeffrey Shapiro has been extended as well to January 18th. NEW EMAIL ADDRESS: bcejjs@labor.ny.gov
Please let us know if you would like to testify at the hearing and upon which specific issue. We would like to appear well prepared, avoid duplication, and address each issue. The DOL will not allow those who speak at the Dec. 27th to speak at the Jan. 10th hearing. |
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Who Do You Know?
Although many of us were caught by surprise, the NYS Department of Labor has been working to amend the 2003 child performer law for many, many years.
We strongly encourage the Department of Labor to table their proposed changes to DOL §186 and work with affected groups to draft new language that encourages film, television and theatrical productions to do business in New York and protects the physical, mental and financial well being of child performers.
We need your help in reaching out to change makers, high profile performers, media outlets, industry reps and others who you believe can help us slow this process down so that reasonable, healthy rules can be drafted. Email
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What Are We Doing?
Child Performers Coalition is hard at work ~ issuing press releases and contacting media outlets, reaching out to industry groups as well as state and local government leadership, drafting our position statement and substitute rule language, and soliciting the Department of Labor for more information that will help us table the rule and realize our goal of creating reasonable healthy rules that NY productions and child performers can live with for years to come. Want to help? Email
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Build Our Tribe ~ Sign & Forward Petition
 According to the NYS DOL, there were 12,178 Child Performer Permits issued in 2009. Approximately 446 employers have current Child Performer Certificates of Eligibility. The new rules will affect 6,000 kids and almost 500 production companies working in NY with many more kids & companies across the country in jeopardy. The NY Rule could easily become a model for other states.
Over 500 people have signed our petition so far and we would like to reach thousands more! Please use your unique network of child performer friends & industry reps so everyones voice can be heard.
Sign or forward the petition by clicking the ipetition logo or forward our newsletter and help build our tribe!
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Knowledge Is Power
 Our web site has tons of information to help you learn more about the issues involved. Position briefs, links to other agencies, and advocacy information. Read the complete rule language by clicking on the DOL link found on our site. Questions? We may not have all the answers but we can give it a go ~ Email
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