§ 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.