Bill > H197

This bill establishes a Board of Casting Agents within the Division of Professional Licensure to regulate individuals and businesses involved in hiring actors for productions. The board will consist of the director of the Massachusetts film office or their designee, along with four appointed members: two experienced casting agents with at least 10 years of active business in Massachusetts, one casting agent with at least 10 years of experience, and one active member of the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) with five years of acting experience. This board will be responsible for administering and enforcing laws related to casting agents, creating rules for their licensure, setting ethical standards for seeking and hiring actors, and investigating complaints and violations, with the power to impose penalties. The bill also defines key terms such as "actor," "casting agency," "casting agent," "production company," and "recording device," and mandates that individuals must hold a valid license to work as a casting agent or advertise as one, requiring the license to be displayed and included in all advertisements. Furthermore, it allows for temporary licenses under specific conditions, including a contract with a licensed casting agency and a commitment to hiring at least 50 percent of actors from Massachusetts residents.