Rep. Quigley Supports Bill to Update Pennsylvania Child Labor Laws

If it passes, a bill to protect children involved in television and film production in Pennsylvania could be renamed the "Jon and Kate Plus 8 Law."

Rep. Tom Quigley (R-Montgomery) joined Rep. Tom Murt (R-Montgomery/Philadelphia) Friday in unveiling House Bill 2515, which was prompted by the recent controversy involving tabloid queen Kate Gosselin, a Berks County resident.

Murt's legislation address deficiencies in Pennsylvania's child labor law as it relates to television and film productions in the Commonwealth.

"Pennsylvania is becoming home to a growing number of television and film productions," Murt said in a press release. "As more productions come to the Commonwealth, we have a responsibility to examine our laws to ensure they are sufficient to enable these productions to occur safely and that the interests of all involved are protected."

Murt noted that between 2002 and 2008, 922 productions took place all or in part in Pennsylvania. In 2002, 31 films that were released took place in Pennsylvania. By 2008, that number increased to 175. That represents an average annual growth rate of 33 percent over that period.

Quigley was on hand to add his support at the press event at Hatboro Borough Hall.

"I want to congratulate my colleague, Tom Murt, for taking the lead in addressing this important issue," Quigley said. "When one thinks of Child Labor Laws it conjures up images of children working in coal mines or textile factories and that was the case many years ago. Now we must revisit and adjust those laws to address a new industry; television and film productions in Pennsylvania."

Murt developed House Bill 2515, which 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.

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 "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.

Murt said his bill has been introduced and he is hopeful it will receive consideration by the full House and Senate before the end of the legislative session.