Tattooists Back Parental Consent Bill Shops Would Be Required To Inform Parents Working On Minors

Local tattoo artists and body piercing technicians say they support a proposal that would place regulation on the industry, including requiring parental consent for minors.

The proposal, which began working its way through the state House on Wednesday, also would set requirements for licensing, equipment storage and disposal, and maintaining client records.

“This equipment in the right hands, you can do beautiful things with it,” Post Falls tattoo artist Bob Bennett said. “In the wrong hands you can hurt people with it.”

The tattooing and body piercing industries are largely unregulated. State law does not require minors to have parental permission.

Coeur d’Alene tattoo artist Tammy Riley said regulating the industry would help maintain its integrity.

Untrained people “can do a lot of damage,” Riley said. “You can scar people. It’s a permanent mark.”

The bill, sponsored by Rep. Debbie Field, R-Boise, cleared the state affairs committee Wednesday, but is expected to be amended. It proposes requiring:

Artists to be licensed. The initial licensing fee would be $50. Renewing the license yearly would cost $35.

Designated areas within businesses for tattooing and body piercing.

Facilities inside the business to properly sanitize and store equipment and supplies. Required equipment would include piercing guns that can be disinfected, single-use stainless-steel needles, protective disposable gloves, single-use paper towel products and sharps containers labeled with biohazard markings.

Client records to be maintained for two years. Records would include name, address, date of each service, type of service provided, name and registration number of the technician and special instructions or notations relating to the client’s medical or skin conditions.

Written parental consent for piercing or tattooing done on anyone under the age of 18.

Riley and her husband, Clint, who own Lake City Tattooland in Mid-town, already follow self-imposed strict storage and sterilization requirements. They also require parents of minors to be present and sign consent forms for tattoos and body piercings. Teens must be at least 16 to get a tattoo and 15 for a piercings, even with parental consent.

Bennett, who hopes any new requirements would be industry regulated, said forcing businesses to keep detailed client information is excessive. However, he said the health and safety requirements are necessary.

The former member of an Army special forces medical team, said he follows military sterilization standards. He and his wife also insist parents of minors be present and sign consent forms before tattooing or doing a body piercing.

Teenagers have to be at least 16 to get a tattoo and 17 to have a piercing done at their Golden Phoenix Tattoo and Body Piercing shop.

“The parents are always very, very glad I’ve asked them to come in,” Bennett said.

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