Senate Bill No. 47–Committee on Judiciary

 

Prefiled January 24, 2001

 

(On Behalf of Encouraging Businesses to Organize and
Conduct Business in Nevada (SCR 19))

 

____________

 

Referred to Committee on Judiciary

 

SUMMARY—Provides for judicial approval of certain contracts involving minors. (BDR 11‑260)

 

FISCAL NOTE:            Effect on Local Government: No.

                                    Effect on the State: No.

 

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EXPLANATION – Matter in bolded italics is new; matter between brackets [omitted material] is material to be omitted.

Green numbers along left margin indicate location on the printed bill (e.g., 5-15 indicates page 5, line 15).

 

AN ACT relating to minors; providing for the judicial approval of certain contracts for the artistic, creative or athletic services or intellectual property of minors; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.

 

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, REPRESENTED IN

SENATE AND ASSEMBLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

 

1-1    Section 1.  Chapter 129 of NRS is hereby amended by adding thereto

1-2  the provisions set forth as sections 2 to 17, inclusive, of this act.

1-3    Sec. 2.  As used in sections 2 to 17, inclusive, of this act, unless the

1-4  context otherwise requires, the words and terms defined in sections 3 to

1-5  8, inclusive, of this act have the meanings ascribed to them in those

1-6  sections.

1-7    Sec. 3.  “Contract” means a proposed contract pursuant to which:

1-8    1.  A minor agrees to render artistic or creative services, directly or

1-9  through a third party. As used in this subsection:

1-10    (a) “Artistic or creative services” includes, without limitation, services

1-11  as an actor, actress, extra, background performer, dancer, musician,

1-12  comedian, singer, stunt person, voiceover artist, songwriter, musical

1-13  producer, musical arranger, writer, director, producer, production

1-14  executive, choreographer, composer, conductor, designer or other

1-15  performer or entertainer.

1-16    (b) “Third party” includes, without limitation, a personal services

1-17  corporation or loan-out company.


2-1    2.  A minor agrees to render services as a participant, competitor or

2-2  player in a sport.

2-3    3.  A person agrees with a minor to purchase, sell, lease, license,

2-4  transfer, exchange or otherwise dispose of:

2-5    (a) Literary, musical, artistic or dramatic properties, either tangible or

2-6  intangible;

2-7    (b) The use of the name, voice, signature, photograph or likeness of

2-8  the minor; or

2-9    (c) Radio broadcasting, television or motion picture rights for the

2-10  performance of the minor, or for the story of or incidents in the life of

2-11  the minor, either tangible or intangible.

2-12    Sec. 4.  “Interested party” includes:

2-13    1.  A person who is a party to a contract; and

2-14    2.  The parent, custodian or guardian of a minor who is a party to a

2-15  contract, if the parent, custodian or guardian is authorized to act on

2-16  behalf of the minor.

2-17    Sec. 5.  “Minor” means a person who:

2-18    1.  Is less than 18 years of age;

2-19    2.  Has not been declared emancipated pursuant to NRS 129.080 to

2-20  129.140, inclusive; and

2-21    3.  Resides in this state, or will be rendering services in this state

2-22  pursuant to a contract.

2-23    Sec. 6.  “Net earnings” means the gross earnings received for

2-24  services rendered by a minor during the term of a contract, less:

2-25    (a) All sums required by law to be paid as taxes to any federal, state or

2-26  local government with respect to or by reason of such earnings;

2-27    (b) Reasonable sums to be expended for the support, care, education,

2-28  training and professional management of the minor; and

2-29    (c) Reasonable fees and expenses to be paid in connection with the

2-30  contract and its performance.

2-31    Sec. 7.  “Petition” means a petition for approval of a contract filed

2-32  pursuant to section 9 of this act.

2-33    Sec. 8.  “Petitioner” means a person who files a petition for approval

2-34  of a contract pursuant to section 9 of this act.

2-35    Sec. 9.  1.  An interested party may petition the district court for

2-36  approval of a contract by filing a written petition for approval of the

2-37  contract in the district court of the county in which:

2-38    (a) The minor resides;

2-39    (b) The minor will be rendering services pursuant to the contract; or

2-40    (c) A party to the contract has its principal office for the transaction

2-41  of business.

2-42    2.  The petition must be verified by the petitioner and must contain

2-43  the following items:

2-44    (a) The full name, date of birth, place of birth and physical address of

2-45  the minor.

2-46    (b) The full name and physical address of any living parent of the

2-47  minor.

2-48    (c) The full name and physical address of any person who has care

2-49  and custody of the minor.


3-1    (d) Whether the minor has, at any time, had a guardian appointed for

3-2  him by a court in any jurisdiction or pursuant to a will or deed.

3-3    (e) If the minor is not a resident of this state, the location in this state

3-4  at which the minor will be rendering services pursuant to the contract.

3-5    (f) A summary of the nature and provisions of the contract.

3-6    (g) A schedule showing the estimated:

3-7       (1) Gross earnings of the minor pursuant to the contract;

3-8       (2) Deductions from the earnings of the minor required by law;

3-9       (3) Reasonable fees and expenses to be paid in connection with the

3-10  contract and its performance;

3-11      (4) Reasonable sums to be expended for the support, care,

3-12  education, training and professional management of the minor; and

3-13      (5) Net earnings of the minor pursuant to the contract.

3-14    (h) Whether any person is entitled to receive any portion of the

3-15  earnings of the minor and a detailed description of the financial

3-16  circumstances of any such person.

3-17    (i) A statement acknowledging that the minor and a parent, custodian

3-18  or guardian of the minor consent to an order of the court setting aside a

3-19  portion of the net earnings of the minor for the benefit of the minor.

3-20    (j) The relationship of the petitioner to the minor and the interest of

3-21  the petitioner in the contract or in the performance of the minor

3-22  pursuant to the contract, if any.

3-23    (k) A statement acknowledging that the term of the contract during

3-24  which the minor is to render services, if applicable, may not extend

3-25  beyond 5 years from the date of approval of the contract by the court.

3-26    (l) A statement describing any other covenants or conditions

3-27  contained in the contract which extend beyond 5 years from the date of

3-28  approval of the contract by the court, or a statement indicating that the

3-29  contract contains no such covenants or conditions.

3-30    (m) Any other facts which demonstrate that the terms of the contract

3-31  are:

3-32      (1) Objectively fair and reasonable;

3-33      (2) Consistent with the standards of the industry to which the object

3-34  of the contract pertains;

3-35      (3) Consistent and in compliance with the laws of this state,

3-36  including, without limitation, the laws governing the conduct and

3-37  employment of minors; and

3-38      (4) In the best interests of the minor.

3-39    (n) A statement acknowledging that the minor and a parent, custodian

3-40  or guardian of the minor have had the opportunity to consult with an

3-41  attorney who is experienced in the laws and practices pertaining to the

3-42  applicable industry and consent to the approval of the contract by the

3-43  court.

3-44    3.  A copy of the contract must be attached to the petition.

3-45    4.  If a new petition is filed following the denial of a previous petition

3-46  pursuant to paragraph (c) of subsection 2 of section 11 of this act, the

3-47  following must be attached to the petition:

3-48    (a) A copy of any previous petition that was denied by the court and

3-49  copies of any exhibits thereto; and


4-1    (b) A certified copy of the transcribed record of any hearing

4-2  conducted concerning any previous petition that was denied by the court.

4-3    Sec. 10.  1.  Upon receipt of a petition, the court shall schedule a

4-4  hearing to determine whether the petition should be granted.

4-5    2.  At any hearing concerning the petition:

4-6    (a) The minor who is the subject of the petition shall personally

4-7  attend.

4-8    (b) The court may hear and consider all competent, material and

4-9  relevant evidence helpful in determining whether the petition should be

4-10  granted, including, without limitation, oral and written testimony and

4-11  reports, and such evidence may be received by the court and relied upon

4-12  to the extent of its probative value.

4-13    Sec. 11.  1.  In determining whether to grant a petition, the court

4-14  shall consider whether the terms, conditions and covenants of the

4-15  contract are:

4-16    (a) Objectively fair and reasonable;

4-17    (b) Consistent with the standards of the industry to which the object of

4-18  the contract pertains;

4-19    (c) Consistent and in compliance with the laws of this state, including,

4-20  without limitation, the laws governing the conduct and employment of

4-21  minors; and

4-22    (d) In the best interests of the minor.

4-23    2.  After considering the petition, the court shall issue an order:

4-24    (a) Granting the petition.

4-25    (b) Granting the petition upon the condition that the parties modify

4-26  the terms of the contract in the manner set forth in the order. If the

4-27  parties modify the terms of the contract in the manner set forth in the

4-28  order, the petition shall be deemed granted on the date that the contract,

4-29  as modified, is executed by the parties.

4-30    (c) Denying the petition. If the court issues an order denying the

4-31  petition, an interested party may file a new petition for approval of the

4-32  contract if the parties modify the terms of the contract.

4-33    3.  The granting of a petition pursuant to this section:

4-34    (a) Extends to the entire contract and all of its terms and provisions,

4-35  including, without limitation, any optional or conditional provisions

4-36  contained in the contract for extension, prolongation or termination of

4-37  the term of the contract.

4-38    (b) Must not be construed to constitute an emancipation of the minor.

4-39    Sec. 12.  1.  If the court issues an order granting a petition, the

4-40  court shall immediately issue an order appointing a special guardian to

4-41  receive and hold the specified amount or percentage of the net earnings

4-42  of the minor to be set aside for the benefit of the minor pursuant to

4-43  section 13 of this act.

4-44    2.  The petitioner or a parent, custodian or guardian of the minor is

4-45  not ineligible to be appointed as a special guardian pursuant to this

4-46  section solely because of his interest, so long as that interest is fully

4-47  disclosed to the court. A disclosure pursuant to this subsection must

4-48  include, without limitation, whether the person has an interest:

4-49    (a) In any part of the earnings of the minor pursuant to the contract;


5-1    (b) As a party to the contract; or

5-2    (c) As an interested party to the contract or to the performance of the

5-3  minor pursuant to the contract.

5-4    3.  The appointment of a special guardian pursuant to this section

5-5  expires on the earliest of the following dates:

5-6    (a) The date on which the contract is terminated.

5-7    (b) The date on which the minor is emancipated.

5-8    (c) The date on which the minor reaches the age of majority.

5-9    Sec. 13.  1.  At the time of issuing an order appointing a special

5-10  guardian pursuant to section 12 of this act, the court shall fix and

5-11  include in the order the amount or percentage of the net earnings of the

5-12  minor to be set aside for the benefit of the minor that the court

5-13  determines is in the best interests of the minor. The amount or

5-14  percentage of the net earnings to be set aside must not be less than 15

5-15  percent or more than 50 percent of the net earnings.

5-16    2.  Any time following the issuance of an order fixing or modifying

5-17  the amount or percentage of the net earnings to be set aside pursuant to

5-18  this section:

5-19    (a) Upon the request of the minor, the special guardian shall move the

5-20  court for an order modifying the amount or percentage of the net

5-21  earnings to be set aside.

5-22    (b) Upon his own initiative, the special guardian may move the court

5-23  for an order modifying the amount or percentage of the net earnings to

5-24  be set aside.

5-25    3.  The court may grant a motion and modify the amount or

5-26  percentage of the net earnings to be set aside if the court finds that,

5-27  because of changed circumstances, modification of the amount or

5-28  percentage of the net earnings to be set aside is in the best interests of the

5-29  minor.

5-30    4.  Upon termination of a contract approved by the court pursuant to

5-31  sections 2 to 17, inclusive, of this act, the special guardian shall

5-32  immediately transfer all remaining money that has been received and

5-33  held for the benefit of the minor, together with an accounting of all

5-34  money that has been collected, disbursed and expended, to:

5-35    (a) The guardian of the property of the minor, if the minor has not

5-36  reached the age of majority and has not been emancipated.

5-37    (b) The minor, if the minor has reached the age of majority or has

5-38  been emancipated.

5-39    Sec. 14.  1.  During the term of the contract, or during the term of

5-40  any other covenant or condition of the contract, the court that approved a

5-41  contract pursuant to sections 2 to 17, inclusive, of this act may, upon its

5-42  own motion or the motion of an interested party and upon finding that

5-43  the mental, physical or emotional health, safety, morals or well-being of

5-44  the minor is being impaired by the performance of the contract:

5-45    (a) Revoke its granting of the petition; or

5-46    (b) Declare its granting of the petition revoked unless a modification

5-47  of the terms of the contract, which the court finds to be appropriate

5-48  under the circumstances, is agreed upon by the parties and approved by

5-49  an order of the court.


6-1    2.  An interested party or a guardian ad litem appointed for the

6-2  purpose by the court may apply for an order of revocation pursuant to

6-3  this section.

6-4    3.  The revocation of the granting of a petition pursuant to this

6-5  section does not affect any right of action existing on the date of the

6-6  revocation, except that the court may determine that a refusal to perform

6-7  on the ground of impairment of the mental, physical or emotional health,

6-8  safety, morals or well-being of the minor was justified.

6-9    4.  The provisions of this section do not create an exemption to the

6-10  requirements of NRS 41.200.

6-11    Sec. 15.  Unless the granting of a petition has been revoked pursuant

6-12  to section 14 of this act, if a contract that is otherwise valid is approved

6-13  by the district court by the granting of a petition, a minor may not,

6-14  during his minority, upon reaching the age of majority or upon his

6-15  emancipation:

6-16    1.  Disaffirm the contract on the ground that the contract was entered

6-17  into during his minority;

6-18    2.  Rescind, avoid or repudiate the contract because of his minority;

6-19    3.  Rescind, avoid or repudiate any exercise of a right or privilege

6-20  pursuant to the contract because of his minority; or

6-21    4.  Assert that a parent, custodian or guardian lacked authority to

6-22  make the contract on his behalf.

6-23    Sec. 16.  The determination of whether to grant or deny a petition, to

6-24  grant or deny a motion to modify the amount or percentage of the net

6-25  earnings of a minor to be set aside, or to grant or deny a motion for

6-26  revocation of a petition is a matter solely within the discretion of the

6-27  court and is not subject to appeal.

6-28    Sec. 17.  The provisions of sections 2 to 17, inclusive, of this act do

6-29  not:

6-30    1.  Exempt any person from compliance with any other law

6-31  concerning licenses, consents or authorizations required for any

6-32  conduct, employment, use or exhibition of a minor in this state; or

6-33    2.  Limit, in any manner, the discretion of a licensing authority or

6-34  other persons charged with the administration of licensing requirements.

 

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