Coogan's Law: Protecting Young Performers In Entertainment

Coogan's Law, also known as the California Child Actor's Bill, is a law that applies to child performers, safeguarding a portion of their earnings for when they reach adulthood and protecting them from exploitation and abuse. The law is named after former child actor Jackie Coogan, who, despite earning millions of dollars as a successful child actor, discovered upon reaching adulthood that his parents had spent almost all of his money. As a result, the State of California passed the original Coogan Bill in 1939, requiring that 15% of a child actor's earnings be placed in a trust account, which can only be accessed once the child reaches the age of majority.

Child actors

Coogan's Law, or the California Child Actor's Bill, is a law that applies to child actors and performers, designed to protect their earnings until they come of age. The law was named after former child star Jackie Coogan, who, despite earning millions during his career in the 1920s, discovered that his parents had spent most of his money by the time he was an adult.

The law requires that a percentage of a child actor's earnings are placed into a trust, which they can access once they turn 18. This is known as a Coogan Account, a blocked trust account, or a UTMA/UGMA-compliant trust account. The law applies to children who act, model, and do voice work.

In California, 15% of a child actor's gross wages must be placed into a Coogan Account within 15 days of employment. This is the responsibility of the employer, and the account details must be provided by the parent or guardian. The law also covers issues such as schooling, work hours, and time off.

While Coogan's Law only applies to California, similar laws have been adopted in other states, including New York, Illinois, Louisiana, New Mexico, and Tennessee. These states require that a certain percentage of a minor's earnings are placed in a blocked trust account, although the specific rules may vary.

The implementation of Coogan's Law and similar legislation ensures that child actors' earnings are protected and that they are not exploited or abused financially.

Child models

The law was named after Jackie Coogan, a child actor who earned millions of dollars in the 1920s, only to discover that his parents had spent almost all of his money by the time he reached adulthood. Coogan sued his mother and former manager and eventually recovered a small portion of his earnings. This legal battle resulted in the enactment of the California Child Actor's Bill, or Coogan Law, in 1939.

The law is designed to safeguard a portion of child performers' earnings and protect them from exploitation and abuse. It applies to children who work in a range of creative industries, including modelling, acting, voice work, singing, writing, directing, producing, choreography, composing, and designing.

While the specifics of Coogan Accounts vary from state to state, there are some general rules that apply. For example, in most cases, parents or guardians must set up a Coogan Account within seven business days of their child commencing employment. They must then provide the Coogan account number to the employer, who is legally required to deposit 15% of the child's gross earnings into the account within 15 days of employment. The funds in the account are untouchable until the child turns 18, becomes legally emancipated, or a court order is received.

The remaining 85% of the child's earnings can be used for living and educational expenses and career-related costs. It is important for parents to carefully manage their child's finances, as the entertainment industry is notoriously fickle, and early success does not always lead to financial security in adulthood.

Child voice artists

Coogan's Law, also known as the California Child Actor's Bill, is a law that specifically applies to child performers and their earnings in the entertainment industry. This law was enacted to protect the financial interests of child artists, ensuring that a portion of their income is safeguarded for their future. The law mandates that a child artist's employer sets aside a percentage of the child's earnings into a blocked trust account, commonly known as a "Coogan Account". This account is controlled jointly by the child artist's parent or guardian and a trustee, who is often an accountant or an attorney.

The law primarily applies to child performers in the state of California, where the entertainment industry is heavily concentrated, with major film and television studios based in Los Angeles. California has a long history of child performers, from child actors in the early days of Hollywood to the present-day popularity of child influencers and social media stars. Coogan's Law ensures that these young performers are provided with financial security and protection.

Voice-over work is included under Coogan's Law, which means that child voice artists are also protected by this legislation. Voice acting has become an increasingly popular avenue for child performers, with a growing demand for young voices in animations, video games, audiobooks, and advertisements. Child voice artists may be employed to voice characters in animated films or television shows, bringing their unique vocal qualities to the screen.

It is important for the parents or guardians of child voice artists to be aware of Coogan's Law and their rights and responsibilities under this legislation. By understanding the law, they can ensure that their child's earnings are protected and that they comply with all legal requirements. This includes setting up a Coogan Account and ensuring the proper deposit of their child's earnings. Additionally, maintaining accurate records and seeking professional advice when needed will ensure the child's financial interests are safeguarded.

Child athletes

Coogan's Law, or the California Child Actor's Bill, was enacted in 1939 to protect the earnings of child performers. The law was named after famous child actor Jackie Coogan, who, upon reaching adulthood, discovered that his parents had spent the millions of dollars he had earned during his career. The law requires that 15% of a child performer's earnings be placed in a trust account, safeguarding their financial future until they reach adulthood.

While Coogan's Law was originally established to protect child actors in California, similar laws have since been implemented in other states, including New York, Illinois, Louisiana, and New Mexico. These states require that parents open a "Coogan Account" or a similar type of blocked trust account to protect their child's earnings.

In recent years, there has been a push to expand the protections of Coogan's Law to include child influencers and athletes. In 2023, Illinois became the first state to ensure that children shown on social media are paid for their work, with similar proposals being considered in California and Pennsylvania. As of 2024, Coogan's Law in California was expanded to cover child social media content creators.

It is important to note that the specific requirements and applicability of Coogan's Law can vary from state to state. For example, in Illinois, the law applies to child athletes who render creative services within the state, while in California, a Coogan Account is required for a child athlete's employment. Parents or legal guardians of child athletes should consult the relevant state laws and seek experienced guidance to ensure compliance with the applicable regulations.

Child social media influencers

Coogan's Law, or the California Child Actor's Bill, is a law that safeguards a portion of child performers' earnings for when they reach adulthood and protects them from exploitation and abuse. While the law has been effective in protecting child actors, it has not been as successful in protecting child social media influencers. This is because the law does not explicitly address the unique nature of social media influencing, which allows children to create and publish content independently, outside the traditional structures of the entertainment industry.

The Case for Extending Coogan's Law to Child Social Media Influencers

There are several reasons why Coogan's Law should be extended to protect child social media influencers:

• Payment for Work: Child influencers deserve to be paid for their work, just like any other performer. Without a law in place, there is no guarantee that they will receive any of the profits generated by their content.
• Protection from Overwork: Coogan's Law sets strict rules about the maximum number of hours a child performer can work per day and mandates requirements for breaks, education, and meals. Child social media influencers do not currently have these protections, leaving them vulnerable to overwork.
• Mental Health and Safety: The internet can be a hostile place, with cyberbullying and negative comments affecting many people, including children. Being in the public eye can also make children more vulnerable to real-world dangers, such as stalking or kidnapping.
• Parental Exploitation: In the absence of regulations, there is a risk that parents or guardians could exploit their children's influence for financial gain, without considering the potential long-term impacts on the child's well-being or setting aside a portion of the earnings for them.

Recent Developments

Recognizing the need to protect child social media influencers, some states have begun taking steps to address this issue:

• In July 2024, Illinois became the first state to pass a law specifically protecting child influencers. The law requires adults who use the "likeness, name, or photograph" of a minor in paid online content to set aside a portion of the earnings in a trust.
• In September 2024, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed measures to extend protections to child social media influencers, requiring parents to establish a trust for their minor children who are featured in online content.
• These laws are a positive step towards ensuring that child social media influencers are protected from exploitation and are fairly compensated for their work.

In conclusion, while Coogan's Law has been effective in protecting child actors, it is important to recognize that the landscape of child performance is evolving with the rise of social media. To adequately safeguard all child performers, it is essential to update and adapt laws to address the unique challenges posed by social media influencing.

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