Brief Description: Regulating body piercing.

Sponsors: Representatives Appleton, Campbell, Cody, Moeller, Green, Clibborn, Lantz, Morrell and Chase.

Hearing Date: 1/10/06

Staff: Chris Blake (786-7392).

Background:

The Secretary of Health (Secretary) 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 must adopt rules to establish standard universal precautions, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and for preventing the spread of disease and sterilizing equipment used for body piercing and body art. Those who practice body piercing or body art must comply with the Secretary's rules. Failure to comply is a gross misdemeanor and constitutes negligence per se in a civil proceeding.

The term "body art" is defined as physical cosmetic body 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 medical procedures performed by a licensed physician or medical practitioner.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.