Employers of Child Performers Responsibilities

For paid employment only.

New York State law requires that a child performer’s employer transfer fifteen percent (15%) of a child performer’s gross earnings into a trust for the child performer established by the child performer’s parent/guardian. In order to do this the employer must:

• Obtain from the child performer’s parent/guardian or custodian the information required to make the transfers into the account for each child performer employed.
• Transfer the appropriate amounts for placement into the trust account.
  • When the employment contract is for 30 days or less, transfer 15% of gross earnings within thirty (30) days following the final day of the child performer’s employment.
  • When the employment contract is for longer than 30 days, transfer 15% of gross earnings at the end of each payroll period.
  • By request of the parent/guardian or custodian, the amount transferred can be increased to more than 15%.
  • If the parent/guardian or custodian has not provided the necessary information within 15 days of the start of employment, or no such account has been established, transfer the money together with the child performer’s name, last known permanent address, date of birth, social security number, name and address of the child’s parent(s) or guardian(s) and their home and business phone numbers; and such other identifying information as the Comptroller may require, to the State Comptroller for placement into the child performer’s holding fund. The State Comptroller may be contacted at (518) 486-1240.
• Provide parent/guardian with a written record of deductions from wages and notification of transferred funds within 5 days of transfer which may be included on the pay stub.

New York State law requires that all child performers maintain satisfactory academic performance as determined by their school of enrollment. Employers must familiarize itself with the requirements of Part 186-5.1 for example, provision of teachers, space, and record keeping.

New York State law requires that all employers of child performers have a valid Certificate of Eligibility to Employ Child Performers issued by the Department. All child performers employed must have a valid Child Performer Permit from the Department. Therefore, the employer must:

• Renew its Certificate of Eligibility no later than 30 days prior to expiration.
• Obtain a copy of a valid Child Performer Permit, or valid Temporary Child Performer permit, for each performer employed. A Child Performer Permit is only valid for paid employment if the parent/guardian has attached documentation of the performer’s trust account and information necessary to make transfers to the account.
• Obtain Child Performer’s Emergency Contact Information/Authorization to Provide Emergency Medical Treatment for each child performer employed. Form LS-563 may be used for this purpose.
• Submit a Notice of Use of Child Performers at least 2 business days prior to the beginning of use of child performers. Use form LS556 for this purpose.
• Keep copies of the Certificate of Eligibility, Child Performer Permit(s) on file, and make them available for inspection at the location of employment.

A) Responsible Person

• At least one responsible person should be designated to supervise and safeguard the performers throughout their employment. A parent/guardian, an adult (over 18), may be the designated responsible person.
• If the parent/guardian is not present, the employer must designate a responsible person and either, notify the parent/guardian of the designee, or agree with parent/guardian on the designee.
• A responsible person must be designated according to Part 186-2.1(t) of the regulations.
• Provide one on-set RN and one responsible person for each three or fewer infants between fifteen days and six weeks of age. Provide one on-set RN and one responsible person for each ten or few er infants between six weeks and six months of age.
• Such RNs must have significant experience in pediatric practice.

B) Provide Safety and Health training to child performers and responsible persons as required by Section 186-6.5 of the regulations.

C) Maintain appropriate New York State Workers’ Compensation/Disability Insurance and Unemployment Insurance Coverage.

D) Observe Safety, Health, Wage, and Hours law s.

E) Maintain records according to Section 186-7.2.

F) Provide meal and rest breaks according to Section 186-6.3 and 186-6.4. LS 550 (08/18) 4 Division of Labor Standards