Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research	BILL ANALYSIS
Health Care

HB 1042

Brief Description:  Establishing sterilization requirements for the commercial practices of electrology and tattooing.

Sponsors:  Representatives Campbell, Schual‑Berke, Skinner, Haigh and Lantz.

Brief Summary of Bill

$Requires the Secretary of Health to adopt by rule sterilization requirements for needles and instruments used by electrologists in permanent hair removal and by tattoo artists in professional practices.

Hearing Date:  1/23/01

Staff:  John Welsh (786‑7133).

Background: 

Currently there are no enforceable legal sterilization requirements for electrologists and tattoo artists in commercial practice using needles and instruments in serving their clients.

An electologist is a person engaged in the business of permanently removing unwanted hair of a client through the use of solid needle electrode probes.

A tattoo artist is a person engaged in the business of inserting decorative designs in the skin of a client using dyes or pigments for cosmetic, medical or figurative purposes.

The American Electrology Association and the Association of Professional Tattooists have adopted recommended sterilization standards for use by professional electrologists and tattooists respectively.

Summary of Bill: 

There is a declaration of legislative intent that the practices of electrology and tattooing involve invasive procedures with the use of needles which may present a risk of infecting a client with bloodborne pathogens if not properly sterilized.

An electrologist is defined as a person who employs  a process for permanently removing hair from a client using solid  electrode needle probes involving thermolysis or electrolysis.

A tattoo artist uses needles for inserting dyes or pigments into the skin for making an indelible mark, figure or decorative design for cosmetic, medical, or figurative purposes.

The Secretary of Health is directed to adopt by rule sterilization requirements for needles and instruments used by electrologists and tattoo artists in accordance with nationally recognized professional standards.

A violation of sterilization requirements constitute unprofessional conduct for the purposes of the Uniform Disciplinary Act for the health professions, providing disciplinary procedures and sanctions.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on January 16, 2001.