6629-S

AN ACT Relating to regulation of body piercing; adding a new chapter to Title 18 RCW; creating a new section; and providing an effective date.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter.

(1) "Body piercer" means a person who pierces the skin and inserts an object for figurative or cosmetic purposes. Body piercing does not include surgery for medical or nursing purposes.

(2) "Body piercing facility" means a room, space, or any part thereof, where body piercing takes place.

(3) "Department" means the department of health.

(4) "Secretary" means the secretary of the department of health.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. (1) All body piercers shall pay a fee to register with the secretary and pay an annual renewal registration fee determined by the secretary as provided in RCW 43.70.250 on or before the body piercer's birth anniversary date. Registration shall be renewed for a period of one year or longer in the discretion of the secretary.

(2) All body piercing facilities shall pay a fee to register with the secretary, and pay an annual renewal registration fee determined by the secretary as provided in RCW 43.70.250 on or before the anniversary date of the first registration.

(3) The fee for registration shall cover expenses incurred by the department for administering the registration program.

(4) The department shall adopt those rules necessary to implement this chapter, including rules establishing sanitation standards for body piercing facilities and providing inspection procedures to be followed by local health departments.

(5) The department shall maintain a registry of body piercers and body piercing facilities and provide a copy of the register upon request to any body piercer, body piercing facility, law enforcement agency, government agency, or member of the public. The department shall provide an updated copy of the registry on a regular basis to the state board of health and all local health departments. The registry shall include a record of every sanitation violation reported by a local health department.

(6) Nothing in this chapter may be construed to prohibit or restrict the practice of a profession by a person who is either registered, certified, licensed, or similarly regulated under the laws of this state who is performing services within the person's authorized scope of practice.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. In addition to any other authority provided by law, the secretary has the authority to:

(1) Appoint an advisory committee, if necessary; and

(2) Establish forms and procedures necessary to administer this chapter.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. Each local health department, as defined in RCW 70.05.010, shall regularly inspect the body piercing facilities within its jurisdiction in accordance with rules adopted by the department. If a local health department finds that a body piercing facility has violated the sanitation standards adopted by the department, the local health department shall immediately notify the department of the violation.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. The secretary of the department of health may take those steps necessary to ensure that sections 2 through 4 of this act are implemented on the effective date of this section.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. Sections 2 through 4 of this act shall take effect July 1, 1996.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. Sections 1 through 4 of this act shall constitute a new chapter in Title 18 RCW.