S806-2013 Actions

• Jan 9, 2013: REFERRED TO CULTURAL AFFAIRS, TOURISM, PARKS AND RECREATION

S806-2013 Memo

BILL NUMBER:S806

TITLE OF BILL:

An act
in relation to establishing a task force to improve theatrical show
safety

SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:

�1 - Legislative intent.

�2 - Establishment of task force; mission statement.

�3 - Composition of task force

* Representative from Department of Labor
* Representative from Consumer Protection Board
* Representative from the Office of the Attorney General
* Representative from the Council on the Arts
  o Each appointed by the head of the respective agency or office
* Appointment by the Senate President Pro Tem
* Appointment by Senate Minority Leader
* Appointment by the Speaker of the Assembly
* Appointment by the Assembly Minority Leader

�4 - Prerequisite for appointment by Senate and Assembly in theater
and/or stage production.
Reimbursement for expenses and appointment of vacancies.

�5 - Report of findings shall be issued within one year of effective
date of the act.

�6 - Effective Date

EFFECTS OF PRESENT LAW WHICH THIS BILL WOULD ALTER:
None.

JUSTIFICATION:
Due to the growing use of pyrotechnic, acrobatic, and other extreme
visual performance techniques there has been a growing concern for
the safety of theatrical shows. The concern for safety focuses on
both the actors performing stunts as well as the audience watching
them. Therefore, it is imperative that New York State create a task
force to examine ways to improve the safety of theatrical shows,
strengthen the protection for actors, and minimize the risk of
injury for the audience. This task force will produce a report
assessing current safety conditions, recommend best practices, and
suggest new legislation or regulation if required.

PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2011-12:  S.633A  Referred to Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks
          and Recreation

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT:
None.


EFFECTIVE DATE:
Immediately.

S806-2013 Text

                      S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
  ________________________________________________________________________

                                     806

                         2013-2014 Regular Sessions

                              I N  SENATE

                                 (PREFILED)

                               January 9, 2013
                                 ___________

  Introduced  by  Sen.  ADAMS  -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
    printed to be committed to the Committee on Cultural Affairs, Tourism,
    Parks and Recreation

  AN ACT in relation to establishing a task force  to  improve  theatrical
    show safety

    THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
  BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:


    Section 1. Legislative intent. Due to the growing use of  pyrotechnic,
  acrobatic,  and  other  extreme  visual performance techniques there has
  been a growing concern for safety at theatrical shows. The  concern  for
  safety focuses on both the actors performing stunts as well as the audi-
  ence  watching  them.  Therefore,  it  is imperative that New York state
  create a task force to examine ways  to  improve  safety  at  theatrical
  shows,  strengthen  the  protection for actors, and minimize the risk of
  injury for the audience.
    S 2. There is hereby established a task force  to  improve  theatrical
  show  safety.  Such  task  force  shall  study and assess current safety
  conditions,  standards  and  practices  used  during   theatrical   show
  rehearsals  and performances and develop practices, strategies and poli-
  cies to improve such safety.
    S 3. Such task force shall consist of the following members:

    a. one representative from  the  department  of  labor  who  shall  be
  appointed by the commissioner of labor;
    b.  one representative from the consumer protection board appointed by
  the executive director of such board;
    c. one representative from the attorney general's office appointed  by
  the attorney general;
    d.  on  representative  from  the council on the arts appointed by the
  chairperson of such council;

   EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                        [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                             LBD04529-01-3

 S. 806                              2

    e. one representative appointed by  the  temporary  president  of  the
  senate;
    f. one representative appointed by the minority leader of the senate;
    g. one representative appointed by the speaker of the assembly; and
    h.  one  representative appointed by the minority leader of the assem-
  bly.
    S 4. The members of the task force appointed by the  temporary  presi-
  dent  of  the  senate, the minority leader of the senate, the speaker of
  the assembly and the minority leader of the assembly shall have  experi-
  ence  in acting, theater and/or stage production. Members shall serve at
  the pleasure of the appointing authority. Such members of the task force
  shall receive no compensation for their services,  but  shall  be  reim-
  bursed for all expenses actually and necessarily incurred by them in the
  performance  of their duties. Vacancies in office shall be filled in the
  same manner as the original appointment.
    S 5. The task force shall report its findings and make recommendations
  with supporting legislation to the governor and the  legislature  within
  one year of the effective date of this act.
    S  6.  No part or provision of this act shall be construed to apply to
  the following:

    1. television or cinematic productions filmed before an audience; or
    2. theatrical productions performed  by  students  of  an  educational
  facility,  including but not limited to, kindergartens, primary schools,
  secondary schools and special schools set forth in title 6 of the educa-
  tion law.
    S 7. This act shall take effect immediately.