The Labor Relations Committee will hold a hearing on the bill Sept. 23, when amendments are expected to be introduced as well. Former child actors are expected to attend the hearing in support of the bill.
The law clearly addresses children ages 7 and older who can obtain special permits to work in movies. But what about the 6-year-old Gosselin sextuplets - Alexis, Hannah, Aaden, Collin, Leah and Joel? The law doesn't appear to cover children under 7 in TV performances.
The department issued "special performance permits" to the show's producers to allow the sextuplets and their 9-year-old twin sisters, Cara and Mady, to appear on the show.
But copies supplied to the Daily News by Murt's office show that the permits were issued April 20 - about 3 1/2 years after the original show, "Jon and Kate Plus Eight," went into production in 2007.
The Gosselins separated in 2009, and the show returned to the air three months ago under its new title focusing on Kate Gosselin as a single mother raising eight children.
The law says that the department can authorize permits "for the temporary employment of minors as part of the performing cast in the production of a motion picture."
Although TV is not included in this part of the law, the department contends that legal authorities treat films and television the same, therefore the permits are valid, department spokesman Troy Thompson said.
"We could not let that ambiguity dictate us applying the law to protect the safety and welfare of the children," Thompson said. "Through these permits, we are making sure that the children are not unlawfully exploited."
Murt and his staff consulted with Kevin and Jodi Kreider, the brother and sister-in-law of Kate Gosselin.
