STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2956

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2942

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 2942, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE EMPLOYMENT OF A MINOR,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to regulate the employment of minors.

More specifically, this measure:

(1) Allows minors under the age of sixteen years to work in theatrical employment; provided that the employer procures a valid certificate of employment and the minor is accompanied by a parent, guardian, or a certain responsible adult;

(2) Requires a nurse certified in basic life support to accompany, supervise, and advocate on behalf of an infant on set who is under the age of one year;

(3) Requires a studio teacher to accompany, teach, and attend to the health, safety, and well-being of minors who have attained the age of five years when work is performed during periods when the minors are required to attend school but have been excused by school authorities from attending; and

(4) Defines "nurse" and "studio teacher".

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, Hawaii State AFL-CIO, IATSE Local 665, Kathy Muller Agency, Pride at Work - Hawaii, Rainbow Family 808, SAG-AFTRA Hawaii Local, Stonewall Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, and twenty‑five individuals.

Your Committee received written comments in opposition to this measure from one individual.

Your Committee finds that there is currently no state law that requires a nurse or studio teacher to be on set each day that a minor is employed in theatrical employment. Your Committee also finds that current agreements between studios and SAG-AFTRA only require that a studio teacher be on set every three consecutive days. As a result, some production companies have intentionally scheduled a minor's work in such a way as to avoid having a studio teacher on set at all. Your Committee believes that this measure will help to mitigate risks and provide essential support for minors navigating the challenges of a fast-paced and demanding work environment.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2942, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair