New Jersey Assembly Bill A5474 Seeks to Safeguard Rights of Minors in Online Video Content

Introduced by Assemblywoman Sadaf F. Jaffer and Assemblyman Reginald W. Atkins, New Jersey Assembly Bill A5474 aims to protect the monetary and privacy rights of minor children featured in online video blogs. The bill was introduced on May 18, 2023, during the 220th legislative session and seeks substantial amendments to current laws that would enforce stricter controls on the earnings and privacy of minors appearing in online videos.

The proposed legislation mandates that any online content creator who features their minor child or children in videos that meet certain criteria must compensate the child. This applies if the content creator’s videos either meet the platform’s monetization thresholds or earn compensation of at least $0.10 per view or interaction. Additionally, the bill stipulates that at least 30 percent of the creator’s compensated content within a 30-day period must include the likeness or name of the minor or feature a product or service advertisement associated with the minor.

Under A5474, gross earnings from videos featuring minors must be set aside in a trust until the child reaches the age of 18. If only one minor child appears in the content, a portion of the earnings equal to or greater than the percentage of content featuring the minor must be saved. If multiple children qualify under these rules, the reserved earnings are to be divided equally among them.

Furthermore, the bill grants individuals who were featured as minors in such videos the right to request the deletion of those videos from any internet platform once they reach 18 years of age. This includes content uploaded by their parents or legal guardians that generated income through advertisements. Platforms are required to take all reasonable steps to comply with these deletion requests.

The amendments also require that any contracts with internet platforms involving content that could include minors must explicitly notify the platform of the minor’s future rights to their likeness and earnings.

This bill not only modifies existing regulations to protect minor children from being exploited online but also ensures that any income generated by their appearances is secured for their future benefit, emphasizing the state’s commitment to protecting its youngest citizens in the digital age.

MONTGOMERY VILLAGE, MD—A local resident of Montgomery Village used her math skills to secure a $50,000 win on the Maryland Lottery’s $20 Gold Rush 777 scratch-off game. The woman meticulously calculated the 25 prizes she uncovered, leading to her substantial win.

The winner expressed her disbelief and joy. “I couldn’t believe it. I was very happy,” she remarked. She prefers to scratch her tickets at home in a quiet environment, which proved beneficial as she discovered multiple winning amounts on this occasion.

Her winnings included two $10,000 prizes, three $5,000, fourteen $1,000, one $500, and five $100 prizes, summing up to $50,000. After realizing the total, she shared the exciting news with her husband. “I showed my husband and he couldn’t believe his eyes,” she commented.

Her husband, equally astonished, accompanied her to the Lottery headquarters in Baltimore. “I was shocked, too,” he said, sharing in the excitement. Despite the win, the couple is still deciding on the best way to utilize the money.

The ticket was purchased at Rodman’s Discount Store in Silver Spring, located at 4301 Randolph Road. This Montgomery Village winner is the second person to claim a $50,000 second-tier prize on the Gold Rush 777, which still has four unclaimed prizes at this level and three of four top prizes of $1,000,000 remaining. An Anne Arundel County mechanic won the first $1,000,000 prize in May.

SILVER SPRING, MD—A local man from Silver Spring has clinched a $50,000 prize from the Maryland Lottery but intends to keep the details under wraps. The fortunate winner, a devoted player of various lottery games including the Bonus Match 5, secured the top prize in the drawing held on June 19.

The winner, who regularly enjoys games like Pick 3, Pick 4, Mega Millions, and Powerball, expressed his disbelief at the win, noting it was a dramatic step up from his previous highest win of around $400. He discovered his windfall while scanning his tickets at a local store, initially doubting the reality of the $50,000 message that flashed on the screen.

After several checks and confirmation from a store clerk, the winner finally believed his luck. Opting for discretion, he has decided to share the news with only his wife. Citing the usual pressures that come with such windfalls, he explained his decision to keep a low profile.

With his newfound wealth, the winner is considering some home upgrades and possibly a trip to Europe, pending some scheduling details. His winning ticket was purchased at a 7-Eleven in Kensington, which will receive a $500 bonus for selling the top-prize ticket. This win marks one of the twenty $50,000 top prizes awarded in the Bonus Match 5 game in 2024.

STAFFORD COUNTY, VA – In the early hours of Monday morning, Stafford County deputies recovered a stolen vehicle and apprehended two suspects after a dynamic incident on Garrisonville Road. The operation involved a high-risk traffic stop and a successful K-9 track.

On June 24, around 1:07 a.m., Deputy K.F. Bierfeldt identified a vehicle reported stolen from Maryland and initiated a traffic stop in Garrison Woods. As she approached, the passenger exited the vehicle and fled. Deputy Bierfeldt secured the scene with the driver and alerted other units.

Deputy S.T. Myers and his K-9 partner, Gunner, joined the operation, locating the fleeing passenger, Justin Hunter, 32, from Stafford, in nearby woods. Despite initially denying his involvement, Hunter’s request to check for his phone in the vehicle linked him to the scene. He was also wanted in Stafford County for a capias offense.

The driver, Devonte Griffin, 28, from Maryland, claimed ownership of the vehicle, which was verified as false. Griffin, found driving with a revoked license and with open alcohol containers in the vehicle, faced multiple charges.

Hunter was charged with eluding and obstruction of justice, and his outstanding warrant was served. He is being held at Rappahannock Regional Jail without bond. Griffin was charged with unauthorized use of a vehicle, drinking while driving, and driving with a revoked license. He was held on a $2,000 secured bond.

NEWBURGH, NY—District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced the conviction of James Rich, a 36-year-old Newburgh resident, on charges of second-degree murder and criminal possession of a controlled substance. The jury returned their verdict on Monday, following a trial in Orange County Court.

Rich was found guilty of fatally impaling a 76-year-old man with a metal broomstick in their shared Newburgh residence on March 14, 2023. Following the murder, Rich was captured on surveillance footage disposing of blood-stained clothing and was later arrested while hiding in a closet in another apartment, where the victim’s cell phone was also found.

Facing a possible sentence of 25 years to life, Rich was remanded without bail and is scheduled for sentencing on August 27. His initial arrest occurred earlier in March 2023 for possessing cocaine, after which he was briefly released before committing the murder.

District Attorney Hoovler credited the successful conviction to the diligent efforts of the City of Newburgh Police and the New York State Police, highlighting the brutality of the crime and the complex nature of the case. Assistant District Attorneys Tanja Beemer and Nicholas Mangold were praised for their prosecution of the case, reflecting the DA’s office’s commitment to prosecuting violent crimes effectively.

LANCASTER, PA – A Lititz man was sentenced to 25 to 50 years in prison last week for sexually assaulting a 7-year-old child. Derek Manz, 29, of the 400 block of W. Marion Street, received his sentence on June 17 from Lancaster County Judge Merrill Spahn.

Following a trial in March, Manz was found guilty of aggravated indecent assault of a child, unlawful contact with a minor, and indecent assault of a person less than 13.

He was also convicted of two counts of corruption of minors and endangering the welfare of children.

Due to his status as a second-strike sexual assault offender, Manz faced a mandatory sentence of 25 to 50 years. The sentencing took place in Lancaster County Court.