SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5190

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

                Law & Justice, February 6, 1995

Title:  An act relating to tattooing of minors.

Brief Description:  Making it a crime to tattoo a person under age sixteen without the parent's permission.

Sponsors:  Senators Roach, Pelz, Smith and Heavey.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Law & Justice:  1/24/95, 2/6/95 [DPS].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5190 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

  Signed by Senators Smith, Chair; C. Anderson, Vice Chair; Hargrove, Johnson, Roach and Schow.

Staff:  Cynthia Runger (786-7717)

Background:  Many young people are getting tattoos.  Tattooing is a procedure commonly done by inserting pigment or indelible ink under the surfaces of the skin by pricking with a needle or otherwise, so as to produce a permanent mark or figure that is visible through the skin.  This procedure may be performed on a child of any age without parental consent.  There is concern that minors, because of their youth, do not fully comprehend the significant and permanent nature of tattooing their skin.  

Summary of Substitute Bill:  It is a misdemeanor for a person to tattoo a minor under the age of 18 without the written consent of the minor's parent or guardian.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The substitute bill raises the minor age for purposes of tattooing from 16 to 18.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on 1/19/95.

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

Testimony For:  This bill is needed to protect children from the significant, permanent and potentially harmful act of tattooing without parent consent.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Senator Pam Roach, prime sponsor (pro); Jerry Phillips (pro); Sandy Eslinger (pro); Darryl Seaver (pro).