In the past twenty four months, there has been a rise in the number of high profile cases dealing with sexual misconduct. Recently, Bill Cosby has been in court dealing with a number of charges dealing with rape and sexual assault. Meanwhile, the country’s highest court is directly involved with an ongoing rape accusation. Not to mention, there are a number of other sexual assault allegations involving Hollywood elites that have yet to hit the news cycle. Given recent events, the state of California has taken a step in what it believes to be the right direction.
California Governor, Jerry Brown, has signed a new piece of legislation by the name of AB2338. The newly signed piece of legislation requires talent agencies to better educate teenage talent about sexual harassment and retaliation. In addition, the law mandates the state labor commission to provide training focused on the topic for teenage talent and their parents. However, the law does not require older male members of the industry to partake in the training and education aspect of the law.
After the law was signed into action, Assembly member Marc Levine issued a statement about the matter. Levine writes, “We also know that just as talent struggles to maintain a certain body image, young girls and boys are impacted by these distorted images of perfection.” He also adds, “his legislation strives to correct the industry’s bad habits and its impacts on society.”
The act is believed to go into effect on January 1st 2019.
