TRENTON- The Senate Labor Committee approved legislation sponsored by Senator Vin Gopal to update New Jersey’s child labor laws for minors working in theatrical productions. The bill will establish modern, age-specific working guidelines and streamline the permitting process for child performers as the state’s film and television industry grows.

“With New Jersey quickly becoming a destination for film and television production, our labor laws must reflect the realities of the industry while protecting young performers,” said Senator Gopal (D-Monmouth). “This bill ensures that children working in the arts are treated fairly, educated properly, and supported by rules that make sense in today’s entertainment landscape. These changes strike the right balance between protecting children and supporting a thriving creative economy. We’re creating a safer, more accessible pathway for young talent while ensuring New Jersey remains competitive in the entertainment industry.”

The bill, S-4340, introduces updated limits based on age: children between six and nine could work up to four hours a day on a school day and up to six hours a day on a non-school day, with total time on set not exceeding eight hours. Children between nine and sixteen could work up to five hours a day on a school day and up to seven hours a day on a non-school day, with no more than nine hours on set. Those between sixteen and under eighteen could work up to six hours on a school day and up to nine hours on a non-school day, with total time on set capped at ten hours.

To simplify work authorization, the bill will establish a new registration system for theatrical productions that allows a shared parent-minor account and enables a parent or guardian to apply for a multi-employer or multi-production permit valid for one year. Employers could still apply for a single production permit with parental consent. It also strengthens educational protections for working minors. Employers would be required to provide a tutor who ensures at least three hours of schooling per day on any day a minor is employed. In some cases, additional schooling could be permitted and count toward this requirement.

Modeled after best practices from California and New York, the two largest entertainment markets in the country, the bill aligns New Jersey’s labor protections with nationally recognized standards. These states have the most robust protections for child actors, and the proposed legislation reflects those models to ensure children are safe and successful in the workplace. As New Jersey’s film and television industry continues to expand, these updates come at an essential time. Since 2021, the state has hosted more than 1,800 productions, including feature films, miniseries, and television shows. With over 70 working soundstages and a competitive tax credit program, including diversity incentives, the state has generated over $2.1 billion in wages and over 19,000 jobs tied to motion picture and television production.