Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Show Your Support for Bill 2515

For supporters who live in PA, please contact your own state representative because the bill will ultimately go to the full house for a vote.

For those who do not live in PA, but would like to show your support, please contact the Democratic leaders. They are the majority in the House of Representatives and are the ones who can see that things move along in both committee and on the house floor.

House Democratic Leader
Rep. Todd A. Eachus
110 Main Capitol
PO Box 202116
Harrisburg PA 17120-2116
(717) 787-2229
FAX: (717) 772-9991

Democratic Labor Committee Chairman
Rep. Robert Belfanti, Jr.
30 East Wing
PO Box 202107
Harrisburg PA 17120-2107
(717) 787-5780
FAX: (717) 787-5763

Democratic Labor Committee Vice Chairman
Rep. Mark Gergely
325 Main Capitol Building
PO Box 202035
Harrisburg PA 17120-2035
(717) 783-1018
FAX: (717) 780-4779



Other contact information:

Republican Labor Committee Chairman
Rep. Gene DiGirolamo
49 East Wing
PO Box 202018
Harrisburg PA 17120-2018
(717) 783-7319
Fax: (717) 772-2414

Sponsor of House Bill 2515
Rep. Thomas P. Murt
429 Irvis Office
PO Box 202152
Harrisburg PA 17120-2152
(717) 787-6886
Fax: (717) 260-6500
OR
19 S. York Road
Hatboro, PA 19040
215-674-3755
Fax: 215-674-3021

Friday, June 4, 2010

PA Child Labor Law Bill Unveiled

Watch the press conference HERE.

http://repmurt.com/

6/3/2010 Bill would protect children involved in television and film production

Rep. Thomas P. Murt (R-Montgomery/Philadelphia) today unveiled House Bill 2515, his legislation to 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,” said Murt. “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.

“This is a growing industry in the Commonwealth and current law is not adequate to address the particular issues that come with it,” Murt added. “That is why I hosted a public hearing on this issue back in April.

“Based on the testimony we heard at the hearing, I have developed House Bill 2515,” Murt continued. “This bill is aimed at addressing several holes in the current law which were identified at the hearing.”

Murt said his legislation 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.

Rep. Thomas P. Murt
152nd District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
(215) 674-3755
(717) 787-6886
Contact: Sean Yeakle
syeakle@pahousegop.com
(717) 787-3406
Member Site: RepMurt.com
Caucus Site: PAHouseGOP.com


http://repmurt.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=9057