Young Models Eager to Please Adults Now Protected by New Law in New York

Young Women Influenced by Money and Adults with Less than Scrupulous Motives, Now Have New Protections

This past fall New York passed a law giving models under 18 the same legal protections as child performers. This places them under the same labor protections as child actors, including the regulation of how many hours they can work, how often, and how late.

The law was proposed and passed after pressure from the fashion industry leaders, specifically the watchdog network of models and industry leaders, The Alliance. The Alliance was started by model Sara Ziff. The bill was also supported by outspoken models such as CoCo Rocha, who had very negative experiences as a child model. Now, designers wanting to hire underage models will have to submit paperwork, monitor hours, and possibly have to provide them with tutors, chaperones, and trust accounts. Hopefully, this will dissuade brands and designers from working with such young models, which really isn't good "role-modeling" for other young women!!

Now, if only they could make them eat!!