BILL NUMBER:S3519

TITLE OF BILL:

An  act to amend the labor law, in relation to permitting a minor over
twelve years of age to  work  as  a  referee  for  athletic  games  or
competitions under certain circumstances

PURPOSE:

An  act  to  amend  Subdivision 2 of § 130 of the labor law to allow a
minor over twelve years of age, after completing proper  training,  to
act  as  a  referee  at  athletic  games, competitions and tournaments
involving competitors who are eleven years of age or younger.

SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

This bill would amend § 130 the Labor Law, which prohibits  employment
of  minors  under  the age of fourteen years, to include an additional
exception. Currently, there are exceptions for minors under the age of
fourteen that permit them to be employed under certain  circumstances.
This bill would add the following exception: A minor over twelve years
of  age  who  acts  as  a  referee at an athletic game, competition or
tournament, involving competitors who  are  twelve  years  of  age  or
younger,  hosted  by  an athletic association or organization that has
trained and tested such minor in accordance  with  established  safety
              

standards,  for a duration of twenty hours or less per week and during
times when school is not in session with  the  written  consent  of  a
parent or guardian.

JUSTIFICATION:

It  is  currently common practice for children aged twelve and over to
serve as a  referee  for  younger  children's  sporting  events.  This
provides  the  host  organization  with an official for their games at
less than half the cost of hiring an adult referee, and  provides  the
child  referee  with a safe and enjoyable way to make money. Recently,
concerns have arisen that this common practice  is  in  conflict  with
current  labor  law.  This legislation will add referee to the list of
exceptions to Labor Law § 130, allowing children aged twelve and  over
to officiate games for children aged eleven and under for no more than
twenty  hours per week and only when school is not in session with the
written consent of a parent or guardian.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2014 - S. 6857/A. 3650a - Labor Committee.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

None.

EFFECTIVE DATE:

Immediate.