Labor Law and Work Permits for Minnesota.
Do you know the child actor labor laws for your state? If you’re looking to pursue a career in entertainment for your child or if you are an entertainment industry professional looking to employ a child in your production, it is important that you know the child actor labor laws in both your home state and any state in which you intend to work.
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YES
Any minor employed as an actor, model, or performer shall be exempt from the minimum age provisions of Minnesota child labor law of 181A. 04, Subdivision 1. [Minnesota Statute 181A.07 Subdivision 2] The Director of Labor Standards and Apprenticeship must approve all requests for the employment of a child actor, model or performer under 16 years of age.
Exemptions are granted for each individual child, on a case by case basis after the Director has considered all the information presented on a “special exemption permit” application form. Permissions are granted if the Commissioner finds that such exemption would be in the best interest of the minor in accordance with the following:
The minor has a special talent, unique qualifications, or special need for the particular employment or which the exemption is sought; and
The health, education, or welfare of the minor will not be detrimentally affected by the employment or by the environment in which the employment is to be conducted. [MS 181A.09]
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YES
Minor’s under 16 must obtain a “Child Labor Exemption Permit” for actors, models and performers. Permits are granted for proposed dates of employment from beginning to end.
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NO
The state of Minnesota does not require a permit to employ minors, however every employer must, for the duration of the minor’s employment, keep on file all age certificates, copies of birth records or copies of drivers’ licenses presented to them, as well as a copy of the minors “Child Labor Exemption Permit” where they may be readily examined by an agent of the Division of Labor Standards.
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NO
We can find no evidence of any blocked trust account requirements in the state of Minnesota.
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NO
The state of Minnesota does not require the presence of a Studio Teacher on set during the employment of a minor in entertainment. However, every child between seven and 16 years of age must receive instruction. Also, once a child under seven is enrolled in kindergarten or higher grade in public school, that student is also subject to the state compulsory instruction laws, unless the school board of their district has a policy exempting them [Minnesota Statute Chapter 120A.22]. Minors who wish to work on school days during school hours must obtain an employment certificate from the minor’s local school district. The local school district must be notified if the child will miss school due to employment in entertainment.
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NO
The state of Minnesota does not require Talent Agents to be licensed. Minnesota repealed laws (2002, Section 184A (01-20) governing entertainment agencies in 2003.
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NO
The state of Minnesota does not recognize graduated minors as “legal 18”.
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Department of Labor and Industry
443 Lafayette Road N
St. Paul, MN 55155
PH: (651) 284-5075
FAX: (651) 284-5740