ARTICLE 3. Other Talent Services [1703. - 1703.6.]

Cal. Labor Code - LAB 3.

in effect

Cal. Labor Code - LAB § 1703. Section 1703.

(a) Every contract and agreement between an artist and a talent service shall be in writing, in at least 10-point type, and contain all of the following provisions: (1) The name, address, telephone number, fax number (if any), email address (if any), and Internet Web site address (if any), of the talent service, the artist to whom services are to be provided, and the representative executing the contract on behalf of the talent service. (2) A description of the services to be performed, a statement when those services are to be provided, and the duration of the contract. (3) Evidence of compliance with applicable bonding requirements, including the name of the bonding company and the bond number, if any, and a statement that a bond in the amount of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) must be posted with the Labor Commissioner. (4) The amount of any fees to be charged to or collected from, or on behalf of, the artist receiving the services, and the date or dates when those fees are required to be paid. (5) The following statements, in boldface type and in close proximity to the artist’s signature: “(Name of talent service) IS A TALENT COUNSELING SERVICE, TALENT LISTING SERVICE, OR TALENT TRAINING SERVICE (whichever is applicable). THIS IS NOT A TALENT AGENCY CONTRACT. ONLY A TALENT AGENT LICENSED PURSUANT TO SECTION 1700.5 OF THE LABOR CODE MAY ENGAGE IN THE OCCUPATION OF PROCURING, OFFERING, PROMISING, OR ATTEMPTING TO PROCURE EMPLOYMENT OR ENGAGEMENTS FOR AN ARTIST. (Name of talent service) IS PROHIBITED BY LAW FROM OFFERING OR ATTEMPTING TO OBTAIN AUDITIONS OR EMPLOYMENT FOR YOU. IT MAY ONLY PROVIDE YOU WITH TRAINING, COUNSELING, OR LISTING INFORMATION (whichever is applicable). FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONSULT CHAPTER 4.5 (COMMENCING WITH SECTION 1701) OF PART 6 OF DIVISION 2 OF THE LABOR CODE. A DISPUTE ARISING OUT OF THE PERFORMANCE OF THE CONTRACT BY THE TALENT SERVICE THAT IS NOT RESOLVED TO THE SATISFACTION OF THE ARTIST SHOULD BE REFERRED TO A LOCAL CONSUMER AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT OR LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT, AS APPROPRIATE. YOUR RIGHT TO CANCEL (enter date of transaction) You may cancel this contract and obtain a full refund, without any penalty or obligation, if notice of cancellation is given, in writing, within 10 business days from the above date or the date on which you commence utilizing the services under the contract, whichever is longer. For purposes of this section, business days are Monday through Friday. To cancel this contract, mail or deliver or send by facsimile transmission a signed and dated copy of the following cancellation notice or any other written notice of cancellation to (name of talent service) at (address of its place of business), fax number (if any), email address (if any), and Internet Web site address (if any), NOT LATER THAN MIDNIGHT OF (date). If the contract was executed in part or in whole through the Internet, you may cancel the contract by sending the notification to: (email address). CANCELLATION NOTICE I hereby cancel this contract. Dated: Artist Signature. If you cancel, all fees you have paid must be refunded to you within 10 business days after delivery of the cancellation notice to the talent service.” (6) A statement conspicuously disclosing whether the artist may or may not obtain a refund after the 10-day cancellation period described in paragraph (5) has expired. (b) Except for contracts executed over the Internet, a contract subject to this section shall be dated and signed by the artist and the representative executing the contract on behalf of the talent service. In the case of a contract executed over the Internet, the talent service shall give the artist clear and conspicuous notice of the contract terms and provide to the artist the ability to acknowledge receipt of the terms before acknowledging agreement thereto. In any dispute regarding compliance with this subdivision, the talent service shall have the burden of proving that the artist received the terms and acknowledged agreement thereto. (c) If the talent service offers to list or display information about an artist, including a photograph, on the service’s Internet Web site, online service, online application, or mobile application or on a Web site, online service, online application, or mobile application that the talent service has authority to design or alter, the contract shall contain a notice that the talent service will remove the listing and content within 10 days of a request by the artist or, in the case of a minor, the artist’s parent or guardian. The contract shall include a valid telephone number, mailing address, and email address for the talent service to which a request for removal may be made. (d) A contract between an artist and a talent service shall be contained in a single document that includes the elements set forth in this section. A contract subject to this section that does not comply with subdivisions (a) to (f), inclusive, is voidable at the election of the artist and may be canceled by the artist at any time without any penalty or obligation. (e) (1) An artist may cancel a contract or within 10 business days from the date he or she commences utilizing the services under the contract. An artist shall notify the talent service of the cancellation for talent services within 10 business days of the date he or she executed the contract by mailing, delivering, or sending by facsimile transmission to the talent service, a signed and dated copy of the cancellation notice or any other written notice of cancellation, or by sending a notice of cancellation via the Internet if the contract was executed in part or in whole through the Internet. A talent service shall refund all fees paid by, or on behalf of, an artist within 10 business days after delivery of the cancellation notice. (2) Unless a talent service conspicuously discloses in the contract that cancellation is prohibited after the 10-day cancellation period described in paragraph (1), an artist may cancel a contract for talent services at any time after the 10-day cancellation period by mailing, delivering, or sending by facsimile transmission to the talent service a signed and dated copy of the cancellation notice or any other written notice of cancellation, or by sending a notice of cancellation via the Internet if the contract was executed in part or in whole through the Internet. Within 10 business days after delivery of the cancellation notice, the talent service shall refund to the artist on a pro rata basis all fees paid by, or on behalf of, the artist. (f) A contract between an artist and a talent service shall have a term of not more than one year and shall not be renewed automatically. (g) The talent service shall maintain the address set forth in the contract for receipt of cancellation and for removal of an Internet Web site or other listing, unless it furnishes the artist with written notice of a change of address. Written notice of a change of address may be done by email if the artist designates an email address in the contract for purposes of receiving written notice. (h) The talent service shall advise a person inquiring about canceling a contract to follow the written procedures for cancellation set forth in the contract. (i) Before the artist signs a contract and before the artist or any person acting on his or her behalf becomes obligated to pay or pays any fee, the talent service shall provide a copy of the contract to the artist for the artist to keep. If the contract was executed through the Internet, the talent service may provide a copy of the contract to the artist by making it available to be downloaded and printed through the Internet. (j) The talent service shall maintain the original executed contract on file at its place of business.

Cal. Labor Code - LAB § 1703.1. Section 1703.1.

(a) Every person engaging in the business of a talent service shall keep and maintain records of the talent service business, including the following: (1) The name and address of each artist contracting with the talent service. (2) The amount of the fees paid by or for the artist during the term of the contract with the talent service. (3) Records described in clause (iv) of subparagraph (A) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (d) of Section 1701. (4) Records described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 1703.6. (5) Records described in subdivision (j) of Section 1703. (6) Records described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 1703.4. (7) Records described in paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 1703.4. (8) Records described in paragraph (2) of subdivision (c) of Section 1703.4. (9) The name, address, date of birth, social security number, federal tax identification number, and driver’s license number and state of issuance thereof, of the owner of the talent service and of the corporate officers of the talent service, if it is owned by a corporation. (10) The legal name, principal residence address, date of birth, and driver’s license number and state of issuance thereof, of every talent scout and the name each talent scout uses while soliciting artists. (11) Any other information that the Labor Commissioner requires. (b) All books, records, and other papers kept pursuant to this chapter by a talent service shall be open for inspection during the hours between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., inclusive, Monday to Friday, inclusive, except legal holidays, by a peace officer or a representative from the Labor Commissioner, the Attorney General, any district attorney, or any city attorney. Every talent service shall furnish to the Labor Commissioner, a law enforcement officer, the Attorney General, any district attorney, or any city attorney, upon request, a true copy of those books, records, and papers, or any portion thereof, and shall make reports as the Labor Commissioner requires. The inspecting party shall maintain the confidentiality of any personal identifying information contained in the records maintained pursuant to this section, and shall not share, sell, or transfer the information to any third party unless it is otherwise authorized by state or federal law. A written or verbal solicitation or advertisement for an artist to perform or demonstrate any talent for the talent service, or to appear for an interview with the talent service, shall include the following clear and conspicuous statement: “This is not an audition for employment or for obtaining a talent agent or talent management.”

Cal. Labor Code - LAB § 1703.3. Section 1703.3.

(a) Prior to advertising or engaging in business, a talent service shall file with the Labor Commissioner a bond in the amount of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) or a deposit in lieu of the bond pursuant to Section 995.710 of the Code of Civil Procedure. The bond shall be executed by a corporate surety qualified to do business in this state and conditioned upon compliance with this chapter. The total aggregate liability on the bond shall be limited to fifty thousand dollars ($50,000). The bond may be terminated pursuant to Section 995.440 of, or Article 13 (commencing with Section 996.310) of Chapter 2 of Title 14 of Part 2 of, the Code of Civil Procedure. (b) The bond required by this section shall be in favor of, and payable to, the people of the State of California and shall be for the benefit of any person injured by any unlawful act, omission, or failure to provide the services of the talent service. (c) The Labor Commissioner shall charge and collect a filing fee to cover the cost of filing the bond or deposit. (d) (1) Whenever a deposit is made in lieu of the bond otherwise required by this section, the person asserting the claim against the deposit shall establish the claim by furnishing evidence to the Labor Commissioner of injury resulting from an unlawful act, omission, or failure to provide the services of the talent service or of a money judgment entered by a court. (2) When a claimant has established the claim with the Labor Commissioner, the Labor Commissioner shall review and approve the claim and enter the date of the approval thereon. The claim shall be designated an approved claim. (3) When the first claim against a particular deposit has been approved, it shall not be paid until the expiration of a period of 240 days after the date of its approval by the Labor Commissioner. Subsequent claims that are approved by the Labor Commissioner within the same 240-day period shall similarly not be paid until the expiration of that 240-day period. Upon the expiration of the 240-day period, the Labor Commissioner shall pay all approved claims from that 240-day period in full unless the deposit is insufficient, in which case every approved claim shall be paid a pro rata share of the deposit. (4) Whenever the Labor Commissioner approves the first claim against a particular deposit after the expiration of a 240-day period, the date of approval of that claim shall begin a new 240-day period to which paragraph (3) applies with respect to any amount remaining in the deposit. (5) After a deposit is exhausted, no further claims shall be paid by the Labor Commissioner. Claimants who have had claims paid in full or in part pursuant to paragraph (3) or (4) shall not be required to return funds received from the deposit for the benefit of other claimants. (6) Whenever a deposit has been made in lieu of a bond, the amount of the deposit shall not be subject to attachment, garnishment, or execution with respect to an action or judgment against the assignor of the deposit, other than as to an amount as no longer needed or required for the purposes of this chapter and that would otherwise be returned to the assignor of the deposit by the Labor Commissioner. (7) The Labor Commissioner shall return a deposit two years from the date it receives written notification from the assignor of the deposit that the assignor has ceased to engage in the business or act in the capacity of a talent service or has filed a bond pursuant to subdivision (a), provided that there are no outstanding claims against the deposit. The written notice shall include all of the following: (A) The name, address, and telephone number of the assignor. (B) The name, address, and telephone number of the bank at which the deposit is located. (C) The account number of the deposit. (D) A statement that the assignor is ceasing to engage in the business or act in the capacity of a talent service or has filed a bond with the Labor Commissioner. The Labor Commissioner shall forward an acknowledgment of receipt of the written notice to the assignor at the address indicated therein, specifying the date of receipt of the written notice and the anticipated date of release of the deposit, provided that there are then no outstanding claims against the deposit. (8) A superior court may order the return of the deposit prior to the expiration of two years upon evidence satisfactory to the court that there are no outstanding claims against the deposit, or order the Labor Commissioner to retain the deposit for a specified period beyond the two years to resolve outstanding claims against the deposit. (9) This subdivision applies to all deposits retained by the Labor Commissioner. The Labor Commissioner shall notify each assignor of a deposit it retains and of the applicability of this section. (10) Compliance with Sections 1700.15 and 1700.16 of this code or Section 1812.503, 1812.510, or 1812.515 of the Civil Code shall not satisfy the requirements of this section.

Cal. Labor Code - LAB § 1703.4. Section 1703.4.

(a) A talent service, its owners, directors, officers, agents, and employees shall not do any of the following through any means of communication, including, but not limited to, in person, through the use of a telecommunication device, in print, on the Internet, or through the use of a mobile or online application or other electronic communication: (1) Make or cause to be made any advertisement or representation expressly or impliedly offering the opportunity for an artist to meet with or audition before any producer, director, casting director, or any associate thereof, or any other person who makes, or is represented to make, decisions for the process of hiring artists for employment as an artist, or any talent agent or talent manager, or any associate, representative, or designee thereof, unless the talent service maintains for inspection and copying written evidence of the supporting facts, including the name, business address, and job title of all persons conducting the meeting or audition, and the title of the production and the name of the production company. (2) Make or cause to be made any advertisement or representation that any artist, whether identified or not, has obtained an audition, employment opportunity, or employment as an artist in whole or in part by use of the talent service unless the talent service maintains for inspection written evidence of the supporting facts upon which the claim is based, including the name of the artist and the approximate dates the talent service was used by the artist. (3) Charge or attempt to charge an artist for an audition or employment opportunity. (4) Require an artist, as a condition for using the talent service or for obtaining an additional benefit or preferential treatment from the talent service, to pay a fee for creating or providing photographs, filmstrips, videotapes, audition tapes, demonstration reels, or other reproductions of the artist, Internet Web sites, casting or talent brochures, or other promotional materials for the artist. (5) Charge or attempt to charge an artist any fee not disclosed pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (a) of Section 1703. (6) Refer an artist to a person who charges the artist a fee for any service or any product in which the talent service, its owners, directors, officers, agents, or employees have a direct or indirect financial interest, unless the fee and the financial interest are conspicuously disclosed in a separate writing provided to the artist to keep prior to his or her execution of the contract with the talent service. (7) Require an artist, as a condition for using a talent service or for obtaining any additional benefit or preferential treatment from the talent service, to pay a fee to any other talent service in which the talent service, its owners, directors, officers, agents, or employees have a direct or indirect financial interest. (8) Accept any compensation or other consideration for referring an artist to any person charging the artist a fee. (9) Fail to remove information about, or photographs of, the artist displayed on the talent service’s Internet Web site, online service, online application, or mobile application or an Internet Web site, online service, online application, or mobile application that the service has the authority to design or alter within 10 days of delivery of a request made by telephone, text message, mail, facsimile transmission, email, or other electronic communication from the artist or from a parent or guardian of the artist if the artist is a minor. (b) A talent training service and talent counseling service and the owners, officers, directors, agents, and employees of the talent training service or talent counseling service shall not own, operate, or have a direct or indirect financial interest in a talent listing service. (c) A talent listing service and its owners, officers, directors, agents, and employees shall not do any of the following: (1) Own, operate, or have a direct or indirect financial interest in a talent training service or a talent counseling service. (2) Provide a listing of an audition, job, or employment opportunity without written permission for the listing. A talent listing service shall keep and maintain a copy of all original listings; the name, business address, and business telephone number of the person granting permission to the talent listing service to use the listing; and the date the permission was granted. (3) Make or cause to be made an advertisement or representation that includes the trademark, logo, name, word, or phrase of a company or organization, including a studio, production company, network, broadcaster, talent agency licensed pursuant to Section 1700.5, labor union, or labor organization as defined in Section 1117, in any manner that falsely or misleadingly suggests the endorsement, sponsorship, approval, or affiliation of a talent service.

Cal. Labor Code - LAB § 1703.5. Section 1703.5.

No talent scout shall use the same name as used by any other talent scout soliciting for the same talent service, and no talent service shall permit a talent scout to use the same name as used by any other talent scout soliciting for the talent service.

Cal. Labor Code - LAB § 1703.6. Section 1703.6.

This article does not apply to any of the following: (a) An entity described in subdivisions (a), (b), (d), (e), and (f) of Section 1702.4. (b) (1) A private educational institution established solely for educational purposes which, as a part of its curriculum, offers employment counseling to its student body and satisfies either of the following: (A) The institution conforms to the requirements of Article 5 (commencing with Section 33190) of Chapter 2 of Part 20 of Division 2 of Title 2 of the Education Code. (B) More than 90 percent of the students to whom instruction, training, or education is provided during any semester or other term of instruction have completed or terminated their secondary education or are beyond the age of compulsory high school attendance. A person claiming exemption under this subparagraph shall maintain adequate records to establish the age of its students, including the name, date of birth, principal residence address, principal telephone number, driver’s license number and state of issuance thereof, and dates of attendance, and shall make them available for inspection and copying within 24 hours of a written request by the Labor Commissioner, the Attorney General, a district attorney, a city attorney, or a state or local law enforcement agency. The inspecting party shall maintain the confidentiality of any personal identifying information contained in the records maintained pursuant to this section, and shall not share, sell, or transfer the information to any third party unless it is otherwise authorized by state or federal law. (2) A person claiming an exemption under this subdivision has the burden of producing evidence to establish the exemption. (c) A psychologist or psychological corporation, licensed pursuant to Chapter 6.6 (commencing with Section 2900) of Division 2 of the Business and Professions Code, that provides psychological assessment, career or occupational counseling, or consultation and related professional services within the scope of its practice. (d) An educational psychologist, licensed pursuant to Article 1 (commencing with Section 4980) of Chapter 13 of Division 2 of the Business and Professions Code, who provides counseling services within the scope of his or her practice. (e) A talent listing service, if all of the following apply: (1) A majority interest in the service is owned by one or more colleges or universities, or alumni associations affiliated therewith, and each of the colleges or universities is accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education and a member organization of the Council of Postsecondary Accreditation. (2) The service provides services exclusively for artists who are the alumni of colleges or universities specified in paragraph (1). (3) The service does not require, as a condition to receiving services, an applicant to have completed courses or examinations beyond the requirements for graduation from the applicant’s college or university specified in paragraph (1). (4) More than 50 percent of the annual revenues received by the service are derived from paid subscriptions of prospective employers. (f) A public library.

Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026