Reality Show Spurs Proposed Change to Pennsylvania Labor Law

Harrisburg, PAA state representative has drafted legislation that would change how Pennsylvania labor law affects child actors working on reality television shows.

State Representative Tom Murt's labor bill was spurred by former child actor Paul Petersen's work on the former TLC reality show hit, "Jon and Kate Plus Eight," according to MontogomeryNews.com. Petersen became involved in the show after he became concerned about its impact on the children. Petersen runs a child actor advocacy group called A Minor Consideration.

The proposed House Bill 2515 "would require all minors to have work permits issued by the state Department of Labor and Industry to ensure all adequate provisions have been made for the minor's educational instruction, supervision, health and welfare," according to the news source.

Additional provisions in the legislation would require a teacher to be on set and 15 percent of the child's earnings to be set aside in a trust.

Pennsylvania's labor department recently defended its decision to issue the children on the show work permits. Murt says that such permits are illegal, reports the Associated Press.