N.Y. Labor Law § 154: Child performer advisory board to prevent eating disorders

§ 154. Child performer advisory board to prevent eating disorders. 1.

The commissioner, in consultation with the commissioner of health and

the commissioner of mental health, shall establish a child performer

advisory board for the purpose of recommending guidelines for the

employment of child performers and models under the age of eighteen and

preventing eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa

amongst such persons. The advisory board shall consist of at least

sixteen but no more than twenty members appointed by the commissioner,

and shall include: representatives of professional organizations or

unions representing child performers or models; employers representing

child performers or models; physicians, nutritionists and mental health

professionals with demonstrated expertise in treating patients with

eating disorders; at least one representative from each of the

comprehensive care centers for eating disorders established pursuant to

article thirty of the mental hygiene law; advocacy organizations working

to prevent and treat eating disorders; and other members deemed

necessary by the commissioner. In addition, the commissioner of health

and the commissioner of mental health, or their designees, shall serve

on the advisory board. The members of the advisory board shall receive

no compensation for their services but shall be reimbursed their actual

and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.

2. The advisory board is authorized to develop recommendations to the

commissioner establishing guidelines relating to the employment of child

performers and models under the age of eighteen for purposes of

preventing and accessing treatment for eating disorders such as anorexia

nervosa and bulimia nervosa amongst such child performers and models.

When developing such guidelines, the advisory board shall consider (a)

body mass index standards or weight and height standards, (b) employment

restrictions for persons diagnosed with or suspected of having an eating

disorder, (c) requiring medical or mental health screenings, by medical

or mental health professionals with demonstrated expertise in the

diagnosis and treatment of eating disorders, for persons suspected of

having an eating disorder, and (d) requiring referrals for treatment of

eating disorders.

3. The advisory board shall further develop recommendations for

educational and informational materials for such child performers and

models, their parents and/or guardians and their employers regarding

awareness and recognition of eating disorders, and referral and

treatment information of eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa and

bulimia nervosa.

4. The commissioner shall consider the recommendations developed by

the advisory board, which include employment guidelines and the

development of educational and informational materials pursuant to this

section, when adopting, promulgating, amending and rescinding the rules

and regulations necessary to carry out the provisions of this section.

The advisory board shall report to the commissioner regarding its

recommendations, including the guidelines, programs and findings

developed pursuant to this section.