FINAL BILL REPORT

SHB 1042

C 194 L 01

Synopsis as Enacted

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

Sponsors:  By House Committee on Health Care (originally sponsored by Representatives Campbell, Schual‑Berke, Skinner, Haigh and Lantz).

House Committee on Health Care

Senate Committee on Health & Long‑Term Care

Background:

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

An electrologist 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 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:

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 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 commercial practice in accordance with nationally recognized professional standards.

A violation of sterilization requirements is a misdemeanor and is considered negligence per se in any civil action.

Votes on Final Passage:

House980

Senate490(Senate amended)

House930(House concurred)

Effective:  July 22, 2001