HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 1383
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in
their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a
statement of legislative intent.
As Passed House:
March 13, 2007
Title: An act relating to preventing the spread of disease in body piercing practices through standard universal precautions and sterilization requirements.
Brief Description: Regulating body piercing.
Sponsors: By Representatives Appleton, Campbell, Cody, Hinkle, Morrell, Walsh, Schual-Berke, Curtis, Green, Clibborn, Lantz, Moeller, Condotta, Hasegawa, Kagi and Santos.
Brief History:
Health Care & Wellness: 2/13/07, 2/14/07 [DP].
Floor Activity:
Passed House: 3/13/07, 93-3.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE & WELLNESS
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 12 members: Representatives Cody, Chair; Morrell, Vice Chair; Alexander, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Barlow, Campbell, Condotta, Curtis, Green, Moeller, Pedersen, Schual-Berke and Seaquist.
Staff: Chris Blake (786-7392).
Background:
The Secretary of Health establishes requirements for the sterilization of needles and
instruments used by electrologists and tattoo artists. These rules address both sterilization
procedures and universal precautions for preventing the spread of disease. There are no
similar provisions for body piercing.
Summary of Bill:
The Secretary of Health must establish requirements for universal precautions for preventing
the spread of disease and sterilizing needles, jewelry, and other instruments used for body
piercing and body art. The failure to comply with the universal precautions is a misdemeanor
and shall be considered negligence per se in a civil action.
The term "body art" is defined as physical cosmetic adornment, including branding and
scarification. The term "body piercing" is defined as penetrating the skin to insert an object
for cosmetic purposes, but does not include the use of stud and clasp piercing systems to
pierce the earlobe. Neither term includes health-related procedures performed by a licensed
health care practitioner.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) Body piercing is an unregulated industry and there are people performing body
piercing without any sterilization or hygiene requirements. This will regulate body piercing
in a similar manner to tattooing. Body piercing does not present a high risk to public health.
(Opposed) This bill lacks an enforcement mechanism for body piercers and will give the
public a false sense of security. There are no education or inspection requirements, or
consumer complaint processes. There is no way to hold facilities accountable or to respond
to a public health threat.
Persons Testifying: (In support) Representative Appleton, prime sponsor; Yoshe Revelle;
and Troy Amundson.
(Opposed) Kitty Candelaria, National Hepatitis C Institute.