SENATE BILL REPORT
SHB 1042
As Reported By Senate Committee On:
Health & Long‑Term Care, March 28, 2001
Title: An act relating to sterilization procedures in the commercial practices of electrology and tattooing.
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).
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Health & Long‑Term Care: 3/15/01, 3/28/01 [DPA].
SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & LONG‑TERM CARE
Majority Report: Do pass as amended.
Signed by Senators Thibaudeau, Chair; Franklin, Vice Chair; Costa, Deccio, Fraser, Parlette and Winsley.
Staff: Chelsea Buchanan (786‑7446)
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. Improperly sterilized equipment presents a risk of infection of bloodborne pathogens, such as HIV and hepatitis B and C.
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 to destroy the blood supply to the hair follicle. A tattoo artist is a person engaged in the business of inserting pigments or dyes in the skin of a client for decorative 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 Amended Bill: The Secretary of Health must 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 Department of Health sterilization requirements is a misdemeanor, and is considered per se negligence for purposes of civil liability.
Amended Bill Compared to Substitute Bill: The amended bill adds that a violation of sterilization requirements is per se negligence for purposes of civil liability.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Testimony For: There are currently no statewide standards, and local licensing is not uniform or sufficient to ensure safety. Department of Health analysis has shown that statewide licensing may not be needed, and standards are a step toward promoting safety.
Testimony Against: None.
Testified: Representative Tom Campbell, sponsor (pro); Patty Hayes, DOH (pro).