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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Bryan Lentz
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Lentz supporting bill to end non-compete clauses for broadcast professionals
HARRISBURG, June 2 – State
Rep. Bryan R. Lentz, D-Delaware, is supporting a measure that would prohibit a
broadcasting industry employer to require "non-compete" or
"first refusal" provisions in any contract with a broadcast employee.
Lentz said first refusal provisions often act as de facto non-compete clauses
when the period of first refusal extends beyond the term of an employment
contract.
"Forcing broadcast professionals to sign these contracts is unfair and a monopoly on their livelihoods and talent," Lentz said. "There is no legitimate reason to prohibit an employee from seeking employment where they are best utilized professionally and compensated, as they do not have confidential information that could be used by another broadcast entity."
Lentz said that in some scenarios, clauses are not brought to light until after a person accepts an offer and informs his or her current employer of the decision to leave. He added that in some cases, when a person is terminated by the employer, he or she could be prevented from working based on a non-compete clause.
California, Massachusetts, Maine, Illinois, Arizona and Washington, D.C. have banned the use of non-compete clauses and first refusal periods.