Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/16674
New York A trustee account (typically a Uniform Transfer to Minors Account) receives 15 percent of gross wages withheld by the employer, deposited in trust for the minor. Te parent is responsible for setting up the account within 15 days from the start of employment and notifying employers of the bank and minor’s account number. California Coogan accounts satisfy both the California and New York trust account requirements. However, trust accounts set up as defined by the New York requirements do not satisfy California trust account requirements. If a New York minor works for a California employer, he or she will need to have a California Coogan account for California earnings. In New York, unclaimed trust earnings are placed in the New York State Department of Labor’s child performer holding fund. Tis fund is controlled by the State Comptroller who can be reached at (518) 474-4017. New Mexico New Mexico’s trust account requirements differ from those set forth by California and New York. In New Mexico, starting in 2008, trust accounts have been required each time a minor earns $1,000 on an employment contract. Tese accounts must be set up in the child’s state of residence by a trustee within 15 days of employment. Fiſteen percent of a child’s gross earnings are to be deposited into the account by the employer. If no account is set up, the employer will hold on to the earnings until the court orders otherwise. For more information on New Mexico’s Department of Workforce Solution’s, which oversees minors, visit: www.dws.state.nm.us/dws-CL.html (case sensitive). Louisiana In 2005, Louisiana began requiring blocked trust accounts for all minor performers on employment contracts exceeding $500. Fiſteen percent of the minor’s earnings must be deposited into the account, which must be set up within 30 days of the minor’s employment. If no account is set up, funds will be sent to the Louisiana Department of Labor, which will place the funds in trust. WHO WAS COOGAN? The Coogan Law was the result of the much-publicized travails of 1920s child star Jackie Coogan, a worldwide entertainment sensation, who discovered when he turned 21 that none of his substantial earnings had been set aside for him. The bulk of his worth ended up in the hands of his mother and stepfather, who claimed they were entitled to it. State law backed them up — and the Coogan Law was created in 1939 to protect future young performers. 24 SCREEN ACTOR - Summer 2010 Places to Turn: Young performers and their parents have resources available at their fingertips can oſten be a challenge, but your union and its sister organizations are determined to assist in making the process less daunting for its members. Te SAG National Young N Performers Committee regularly plans events and panel discussions in both Hollywood and New York to assist young performers and their families. A recent daylong event in New York featured a panel on auditions as well as online safety for child actors (see sidebar). In Hollywood, an indoor carnival at SAG headquarters SAG.org avigating the maze that awaits young performers this spring provided valuable information to young performers, along with games, prizes and socializing with peers. Te SAG Young Performers Handbook is a great resource for parents to have on set when questions arise, and SAG.org features updated online resources for parents regarding state statutes and Coogan Laws. (From the Guild Info tab at the top of the site, click on “Young Performers.”) And young actors themselves have a new online home. Te Young Performers Committee recently unveiled SAG.org/YoungPerformers, a site