Bill > H2135

This bill establishes new labor protections for minors under 16 years old who are featured in vlogging content that generates compensation, essentially creating a digital version of the traditional Coogan law (which protects child performers' earnings). The bill defines a "vlogger" as an individual or family creating video content for compensation, and establishes criteria for when a minor is considered to be "engaged in the work of vlogging" - specifically when at least 30% of a video's content features the minor over a 30-day period and the content meets certain view or compensation thresholds. Vloggers featuring such minors must maintain detailed records including the minor's age, number of compensated vlogs, total video minutes, and compensation generated. Additionally, vloggers must set up a trust account to preserve a proportional percentage of gross earnings for the minor, which becomes accessible when the minor turns 18 or is declared emancipated. The bill allows minors to take civil action if vloggers fail to maintain records or properly establish the trust account, with potential damages including actual and punitive compensation plus legal costs. This legislation aims to protect young content creators by ensuring they receive fair compensation for their appearance in online video content.

Labor and Employment

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H2135