SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 6629

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

           Health & Long-Term Care, February 2, 1996

Title:  An act relating to the regulation of body piercers.

Brief Description:  Regulating body piercers.

Sponsors:  Senator Roach.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Health & Long-Term Care:  2/1/96, 2/2/96 [DPS].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & LONG-TERM CARE

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6629 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

  Signed by Senators Quigley, Chair; Wojahn, Vice Chair; Deccio, Fairley, Franklin, Moyer, Thibaudeau, Winsley and Wood.

Staff:  Rhoda Jones (786-7198)

Background:  Body piercing is a form of body art which involves creating a tiny incision in female and male noses, lips, ears and other more private parts of the body, and inserting some form of jewelry.  This practice takes place in body piercing salons, or in any establishment that advertises these types of cosmetic services.

Currently the practice of body piercing is not regulated by the state.  Although body piercing is relatively new as a popular form of body art, health concerns are considered significant according to researchers at the Centers for Disease Control. The risk of infection and disease transmission are considered worse than they are for tattooing.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  Body piercers must register as a business with the Department of Health (DOH) and pay a fee.  Body piercing facilities must also be registered with DOH.

DOH must adopt rules establishing sanitation standards for body piercing facilities.  DOH must maintain a registry of body piercing facilities and provide copies to the public.  The registry includes records of sanitation violations reported by the local health department.

The local health department must regularly inspect body piercing establishments.  If violations are found, the DOH must be notified.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The original bill was not considered.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on January 24, 1996.

Effective Date:  The bill takes effect on July 1, 1996.

Testimony For:  There are too many people receiving body piercing in unclean conditions.  There needs to be safeguards to protect the public.

Testimony Against:  The Department of Health has not found body piercing to be a health hazard warranting regulation.

Testified:  PRO:  Charlotte Heller, Fantasy Unlimited; Sharrin Spector, Spector Body Piercing; Al D.Sowers, Playspace Ltd.; Krysteen Griffiths, Pink Zone; CON: Kathy Stout, DOH.