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US enforces models' rights legislation

By FashionUnited

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Young fashion models in the USA will now have the same protection as

other young performers in a new law lobbied by the Model Alliance. Model Alliance has previously spoken out about the lack of regulation for models under the age of 16, who could easily be exploited to work on adult terms. Sexual harassment, problems with agents, and questionable practices are problems in every talent-driven business. Sadly, modeling is no exception. But especially for younger models, who are unable to make decisions, new legislation has been put in place to ensure their rights.

Earlier this year Model Alliance created a petition to give child models the same legal protections as all child performers, and on June 9th, 2013, its founders were joined by Senators Jeffrey Klein and Diane Savino to announce proposed legislation that would afford child models in New York those protections.

Young models cannot work between 6pm and 9am

One of the significant updates in the new law is that models aged 14 and 15 cannot be employed more than 3 hours on any school day, 8 hours on a non-school day, or 23 hours any week. Additionally, these models shall not work between 6pm and 9am.

Minors may be required to obtain a certificate from a physician showing they are physically fit to be employed or exhibited as a model, and all minors are required by law to have a work permit before working as models.

"This is a major step for minors, made possible by the convergence of two social trends," Susan Scafidi, founder and academic director of the Fashion Law Institute at Fordham Law School, said. "Concern over children's welfare, and the increased recognition of fashion as an art form - thus models as performers."

Canadian model Coco Rocha, who is a spokesperson for Model Alliance, stated: "Having once been a child model myself, I know all too well that, up until now, a large underage workforce has lived and worked under very little legal protection in 21st century New York," Rocha said. "I'm so excited to see us make a huge step in the right direction, and I'm thrilled that I've been able to be a part of such a momentous moment which is sure to change the future of our industry for the better."

Model Alliance
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