It's on like Donkey Kong First Department of Labor Hearing Set for Monday, December 27th If you think the Motion Picture Association of America controls the New York State Department of Labor (DOL), think again.  They are the most powerful entertainment lobbying force in the world ~ still, they don't control governments ~ at least not in real life.  If you think Disney, Sony or some combination of Godzilla style film titans is able to make a phone call and table the proposed changes, think again.  This is New York and New York doesn't put much stock in Hollywood. If you think Mayor Bloomberg or the Mayor's Office on Film, Theatre & Broadcasting has this under control, think again ~ Child Performers Coalition was the first to notify them of the proposed changes.  Changes that have been in the works for years.  They have our documents now and are concern. If you think the Governor's Office for Motion Picture & Television Development will save the day, think again.  They were part of the conversation and the DOL still moved forward with their proposed rule changes.  No idea where they stand as none of the groups involved have published their position statements. If you think that the Screen Actors Guild is looking out for the best interests of working actors ~ young or old, think again.  They signed off on the Child Performer Advisory Board Eating Disorder Recommendations.  Click Here for Full Text of Child Performer Advisory Board Board Members If you think other amazing institutions such as NYU Tisch School of the Arts will step in as a voice of reason, Child Performers Coalition was the first to notify them of the proposed changes.  BTW ~ Student films are completely exempt from the proposed changes.  Folks at Tisch are nice. If, as a New Yorker or Tri-Stater, you think that these rules won't apply to you or you will simply ignore them or you will find a work around,  I'm afraid this isn't street ball.  The Department of Labor controls labor.  It's their job and they take it seriously. If you think that the Department of Labor is looking out for kids, understands production or the production economy, or is being forthright in their dissemination of information, I wish that were the case.  The DOL states:  "It is apparent from the nature and purpose of the rule that it will not have substantial adverse impact on jobs or employment opportunities, therefore no Job Impact Analysis is required." Click Here for Full Job Impact Exemption Text If you think parents will have control over submission of the physician certificate, think again:  "The physician would merely send a certification to the Department stating his/her conclusion that the child performer is or is not capable of performing the tasks associated with employment as a child performer without endangering the child's health."  Click Here for the new DOL Frequently Asked Questions. If you think the physician's certificate will somehow be innocuous as the DOL suggests ~ like something similar to what may be required from your local school each year:  "The screening must include measurement of height, weight, calculation of Body Mass Index (BMI) and BMI percentile. The physical exam must also include vital signs, menstrual history and a review of the physical manifestations associated with eating disorders. The physical exam must include inquiry into eating behaviors . . .Click Here for Full Text of Child Performer Advisory Board to Prevent Eating Disorders: Recommendations to the New York State Commissioner of Labor If you believe in Christmas Miracles, well, you may just want to start praying AND give up a few hours to write to the DOL, attend the hearings, and help us reach out to media outlets and game changers.  Child Performers Coalition has requested various documents including a copy of the Physician's Certificate, the Eating Disorder Guidelines, as well as "the documents supporting the Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS) prepared by your agency as required by the New York State Administrative Procedure Act (SAPA) in anticipation of submission for final approval to the Governor's Office of Regulatory Review.  To that end, I respectfully request documents in support of your agencies RIS including, but not limited to, research, reports, studies, data collection, analysis, interviews and alternatives explored.  In addition, and of particular interest, are the following Cost-Benefit Assessment issues . . . ."  The Department of Labor has not responded to our request.  Today we submitted a formal request through FOIL. Child Performers Coalition encourages you to get involved.  Please visit our web site for more information www.childperformerscoalition.org and sign our petition by clicking here. Thank you for your continued support.