Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research		 BILL
ANALYSIS
Health Care & Wellness Committee

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.

Brief Description: Regulating body piercing.

Sponsors: Representatives Appleton, Campbell, Cody, Hinkle, Morrell, Walsh, Schual-Berke, Curtis, Green, Clibborn, Lantz, Moeller, Condotta, Hasegawa, Kagi and Santos.

Brief Summary of Bill
  • Requires the Secretary of Health to establish sterilization and disease prevention standards for body art and body piercing procedures.

Hearing Date: 2/13/07

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: Requested on February 12, 2007.

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