HOUSE BILL ANALYSIS

                     HB 2477

Brief Description:  Adding theatrical agencies to the definition of an employment agency.

Sponsors:  Schoesler, McMorris, Chandler, Mulliken, Sump, Honeyford and Sheahan.

                  Hearing:  January 21, 1998

BACKGROUND:

Employment agencies must be licensed by the Department of Licensing and must comply with certain requirements covering the form and substance of contracts with customers, fees that may be charged for services, disclosure to customers of  information about the agency and customer's complaint procedures.  An agency that operates without a license may be sued by its customers for amounts paid to the agency.  A court may award the customer as damages in a lawsuit, three times the amount paid and any attorney=s fees and costs.

Theatrical agencies are specifically excluded from requirements and regulations that apply to employment agencies.  Among those businesses that are defined as theatrical agencies are modeling agencies.  A modeling agency that obtains or attempts to obtain employment for customers in the field of entertainment or modeling are not subject to the provisions regulating and licensing employment agencies and providing penalties for violation of these requirements.

SUMMARY OF BILL:

The term Atheatrical agency@ which includes a modeling agency is added to the definition of employment agency.  This addition subjects theatrical agencies, including modeling agencies, to the licensing and regulatory requirements and penalty provisions applied to employment agencies.

RULES AUTHORITY: The bill does not contain provisions addressing the rule-making powers of an agency.

APPROPRIATION:  None.

FISCAL NOTE:  None requested.

EFFECTIVE DATE:  Ninety days after adjournment of a session in which bill is passed.