I understand that by employing minors in the entertainment industry I am required to abide by the following minimum requirements, which are set forth within N.J.S.A. 34:2-21.57 through 34:2-21.58:
Prohibited Performance
Minors under 18 years old are not permitted to be involved in any “Prohibited performance,” which, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 34:2-21.57, means and includes appearances as a rope or wire walker or rider, gymnast, wrestler, boxer, contortionist, acrobat, rider of a horse or other animal unless the minor is trained to safely ride such horse or animal, or rider of any vehicle other than that generally used by a minor of the same age, or appearance in any illegal, indecent, or immoral exhibition, practice, or theatrical production or in any practice, exhibition, or theatrical production dangerous to the life, limb, health or morals of a minor, or appearance or exhibition of a minor with a physical or mental disability. “Prohibited performance” also means and includes, but is not limited to, the following:
- The exposure of a minor between 15 days of age to six months of age to light exceeding 100 foot-candles for more than 30 seconds at a time;
- The exposure of a minor between 15 days of age and two years of age to atmospheric smoke;
- Requiring, coercing, or otherwise permitting a minor to pose nude or perform acts which are sexually explicit; and
- A minor’s presence on a set while adults are posing nude or performing acts which are sexually explicit.
Educational Instruction
If the minor is scheduled to work for three or more days, the employer must provide an average of at least 3 hours of teaching time during working hours per missed day of school, calculated on a weekly basis.
Extra teaching time above 3 hours per day may be carried over to another day in the same week, or another week. However, no more than 10 hours of teaching time can be carried over from week to week.
The employer must provide a teacher who is credentialed for the level of education required by State law from the third missed day of school through the remainder of the minor’s employment.
The employer also must ensure that the minor receives equivalent instruction approved by the Department of Education or by the state or county of the minor’s residence if the minor is not a resident of New Jersey.
Hours of Work
Working hours are regulated based on the minor's age:
- 15 days to under 6 months old: up to 20 minutes, maximum 2 hours on set
- 6 months to under 2 years old: up to 2 hours of work, maximum 4 hours on set
- 2 to under 6 years old: up to 3 hours of work, maximum 6 hours on set
- 6 to under 9 years old: up to 4 hours on school days (6 hours non-school days), maximum 8 hours on set
- 9 to under 16 years old: up to 5 hours on school days (7 hours non-school days), maximum 9 hours on set
- 16 to under 18 years old: up to 6 hours on school days (9 hours non-school days), maximum 10 hours on set
Employment of a minor shall not be for more than six days in any seven-day period. The minor may not work before 5:00 am and after 10:00 pm on any day preceding a school day. For any day preceding a non-school day, a minor may work between the hours of 5:00 am and 12:30 am.
Care and Supervision by Adult
The minor must be under the direct care and supervision of an adult who is either a parent, guardian, or designated representative always during employment, including when living away from home when required as an incident of the employment.