Laws Regarding Piercing
Please remember that as of September 1, 2003 that it has been required in Texas that you be 18 years old to be pierced UNLESS you...are with your parent! Remember as well please, even if you are over 18, bring your ID! New state laws dictate that we photocopy it and reserve a copy in our records for two years. When coming in with a parent, please remember your ID to help us confirm your identity and relationship. If you are under age and want to get pierced, please try to acquire a state issued ID card at your local Department of Motor Vehicles before coming in. Help to keep our industry safe, if you notice that a studio does not require that you present ID, please contact your local police department and your local or state health department.
A directory of full text and state statutes
http://www.prairienet.org/~scruffy/f.htm
State Law (Search for bills by state.)
http://lawlib.wuacc.edu/washlaw/uslaw/statelaw.html
ALABAMA
Piercing legislation pending as of 4/4/00. Legislature http://lcweb.loc.gov/global/state/al-gov.html
Regulation of piercing and tattoo studios (HB303) -Document address- http://www.legislature.state.al.us/searchableinstruments/2000rs/bills/hb303.htm
ALASKA
Piercing legislation pending as of 4/4/00. Legislature http://www.legis.state.ak.us/ Regulation of piercing industry (SB 34) -Document addresses – http://www.legis.state.ak.us/s/basp1100.dll?Txt&S=21&TEXT=SB0034C (most recent revision 3/31/2000) http://www.legis.state.ak.us/s/basp1100.dll?Txt&S=21&TEXT=SB0034B http://www.legis.state.ak.us/s/basp1100.dll?Txt&S=21&TEXT=SB0034A http://www.legis.state.ak.us/s/basp1000.dll?Get&S=21&Root=sb34 (bill history)
ARIZONA
Legislature
http://www.azleg.state.az.us/ Laws currently on books dealing with tattooing and piercing (RS13-3721) http://www.azleg.state.az.us/ars/13/3721.htm Age requirements (HB 2488) passed, Age requirements (SB 1102) passed, and Age requirements (HB 2513) passed (these can be found be entering "piercing" into the search engine at this URL) http://www.azleg.state.az.us/legtext/bills.htm Age requirements (HB2666) passed http://www.azleg.state.az.us/legtext/44leg/1r/summary/s.2666fr.jud.htm
ARKANSAS
No Piercing legislation found as of 4/4/00.
General Assembly
CALIFORNIA
Legislature http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/ AB 186 -Document address- http://info.sen.ca.gov/pub/97-98/bill/asm/ab_0151-0200/ab_186_bill_19970909_enrolled.html AB 99 -Document address- http://www.sen.ca.gov/htbin/ca-billpage/AB/99/gopher_root2:[bill.current.ab.from0000.ab0099]
COLORADO
Legislature is in session (Piercing legislation pending as of 4/4/00)
General Assembly
http://www.state.co.us/gov_dir/stateleg.html
Piercing studio regulation/ Age requirements (HB1246) 3rd reading on 4/3/00
http://www.leg.state.co.us/pubhome.nsf
CONNECTICUT
Legislature http://www.state.ct.us/ldp/ Raised bill (HB 6658)-Document address- http://www.cga.state.ct.us/ps99/Tob/h/pdf/1999HB-06658-R00-HB.pdf Proposed bill that has been referred to committee (HB 5746) -Document address- http://www.cga.state.ct.us/ps99/Tob/h/pdf/1999HB-05746-R00-HB.pdf Proposed bill that has been referred to committee (HB 5741) -Document address- http://www.cga.state.ct.us/ps99/Tob/h/pdf/1999HB-05741-R00-HB.pdf
DELAWARE
Legislature http://www.state.de.us/research/dor/lis.htm SB 135 stricken 5/12/99 -Document address- http://aosta.state.de.us/Lis/LIS140.nsf/e807416658f4f20885256879 006e1ad4/ec58aa7a8ef3e87a8525675f005fa6e0?OpenDocument SB 153 signed 7/2/99 -Document address- http://aosta.state.de.us/Lis/LIS140.nsf/e807416658f4f20885256879 006e1ad4/ed1082d095668bc1852567700066d7f7?OpenDocument
FLORIDA
Legislature http://www.leg.state.fl.us/ 1999 Licensing of studios/Parental consent (HB489) effective 10/1/99 -Document address- http://www.leg.state.fl.us/session/1999/House/bills/billtext/html/billtext/hb0489.html HB489er http://www.leg.state.fl.us/session/1999/House/bills/billtext/html/billtext/hb0489er.html HB489e1 http://www.leg.state.fl.us/session/1999/House/bills/billtext/html/billtext/hb0489e1.html Licensing of studios /parental consent (SB980) effective 10/1/99 -Document address- http://www.leg.state.fl.us/session/1999/Senate/bills/billtext/html/billtext/sb0980.html SB980 (revised time periods) http://www.leg.state.fl.us/session/1999/Senate/bills/billtext/html/billtext/sb0980c1.html 1997 HB 0069-Document address- http://www.scri.fsu.edu/fla-leg/bills/house-1997/hb0069.htm HB 0069c1-Document address- http://www.scri.fsu.edu/fla-leg/bills/house-1997/hb0069c1.html SB 0606 -Document address- http://www.scri.fsu.edu/fla-leg/bills/senate-1997/sb0606.html 1996 HB 1899 -Document address- http://www.scri.fsu.edu/fla-leg/bills/house-1996/hb1899.html
GEORGIA
State web site http://lcweb.loc.gov/global/state/ga-gov.html 2000 Legislative Session http://gnsun1.ganet.state.ga.us/services/leg/index.cgi?searchtype=bindex.htm&year=1999 Age requirements (code 16-5-17.1) passed 10/15/99 http://www.ganet.org/cgi-bin/pub/ocode/ocgsearch?number=16-5-71.1
HAWAII
All current legislation pending as of 4/4/00 Legislature http://www.hawaii.gov/icsd/leg/leg.html Parental consent bill (SB2043) 4/4/00 -Document address- http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessioncurrent/bills/sb2043_.html Parental consent bill (SB2450) 4/4/00 -Document address- http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessioncurrent/bills/sb2450_.htm Parental consent bill (HB 2045) 4/4/00 -Document address- http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessioncurrent/bills/hb2045_.htm
IDAHO
No Piercing legislation found as of 4/4/00. Legislation search http://www.state.id.us/legislat/legislat.html
ILLINOIS
Legislature
http://www.state.il.us/legis/
Department of Public Health
http://www.idph.state.il.us/
Tattoo and body piercing act
INDIANA
No Piercing legislation found as of 4/4/00. Legislature http://www.state.in.us/legislative/index.html Tattooing a minor (SB0013) http://www.state.in.us/bills/sb/sb0013.1.html
IOWA
Legislature http://www.state.ia.us/index.html 2000 update http://www.idph.state.ia.us/legis/00-08.htm Age Requirements (HF 2251) enacted 3/11/99 http://www2.legis.state.ia.us/GA/77GA/Legislation/HF/02200/HF02251/980213.html Studio licensing and standards http://www2.legis.state.ia.us/GA/77GA/Legislation/HF/02200/HF02251/Current.html
KANSAS
Legislature http://www.state.ks.us/public/legislative/ Licensing/ fees/ training (H2529) introduced 1999 -Document address- http://www.ink.org/public/legislative/bills.cgi?billNum=2529&year=2000&doc=bill
KENTUCKY
No Piercing legislation found as of 4/4/00. Legislature http://www.lrc.state.ky.us/ 2000 bill information (updated 12/16/99) http://www.lrc.state.ky.us/search.htm
LOUISIANA
Amendments pending 4/4/00 Legislature http://www.state.la.us/ 2000 bill information (Convenes 4/24/00) http://www.legis.state.la.us/bills00rs/bysearch.asp Defining terms for regulation of piercing studios (RS 40.2255) enacted 99 –Document address- http://www.legis.state.la.us/tsrs/rs/40/rs_40_2255.htm Registration of studios (RS 40.2256) enacted 99 –Document address- http://www.legis.state.la.us/tsrs/rs/40/rs_40_2256.htm Registration on studios (RS 40.2832) enacted 99 – Document address- http://www.legis.state.la.us/tsrs/rs/40/rs_40_2832.htm
MAINE
Legislature http://janus.state.me.us/legis/ Bills regarding health and human services http://janus.state.me.us/legis/lio/history119r1/ Piercing of minors/ Licensing/ Penalties (public law 206 title 32 ch.64) 1997 passed -Document address- http://janus.state.me.us/legis/statutes/32/title32ch640sec0.html
MARYLAND
No current legislation as of 4/4/00 General Assembly http://mlis.state.md.us/ Establishes state board / licensing (SB284) 1997 bill information -Document address- http://mlis.state.md.us/1997rs/billfile/sb0284.htm (history) http://mlis.state.md.us/1997rs/bills/sb/sb0284f.rtf (text) Establishes state board / licensing (HB386) 1997 bill information -Document address- http://mlis.state.md.us/1997rs/billfile/hb0386.htm (history) http://mlis.state.md.us/1997rs/bills/hb/hb0386f.rtf (text)
MASSACHUSETTS
General Court http://www.magnet.state.ma.us/legis/legis.htm Prohibition of piercing unless licensed (H 774) public hearing 4/27/99 Referred to committee on House of Ways and Means (HJ551) 5/29/99 -Document address- http://www.magnet.state.ma.us/legis/history/h00774.htm Dept. of Public Health should est. tattooing guideline (H5098) as of 4/4/00 -Document address- http://www.magnet.state.ma.us/legis/history/h00441.htm
MICHIGAN
Legislation http://www.migov.state.mi.us/ Age Requirements/ Record keeping/ Licensing (HB 4451) 4/13/99 passed -Document address- http://www.michiganlegislature.org/txt/house.bills.intro/1999-2000/4451hhhh.htm http://www.michiganlegislature.org/pdf/house.engrossed/1999-2000/heb4451h.pdf
MINNESOTA
Legislation and Bills http://www.leg.state.mn.us/leg/legis.htm Minors and parental consent for tattooing -Document Address- http://www.mdn.org/1997/STORIES/TATTTOO.HTM
MISSISSIPPI
No legislation as of 4/4/00 Writing is in progress Legislature http://www.state.ms.us/its/msportal.nsf/WebForm/Government?OpenDocument&Start=1&Count=500&Expand=8
MISSOURI
Legislature http://www.senate.state.mo.us/ Professional registration and licensing (HB1241) public hearing held on 1/26/00 (Not currently on legislative calendar) -Document address- http://www.senate.state.mo.us/house/bills/hb1241.htm Professional registration and licensing (HB1242) (set for 3rd reading in House)-Document address- http://www.senate.state.mo.us/house/bills/hb1242.htm
MONTANA
No legislation as of 4/4/00 Legislature http://leg.state.mt.us/
NEBRASKA
Legislature http://www.unicam.state.ne.us/index.htm Prohibiting the piercing of a minor (LB 255) 2/99 passed -Document address- http://search.unicam.state.ne.us/pdfs/committeestatement%5Flb255.pdf http://search.unicam.state.ne.us/pdfs/statementofintent%5Flb255.pdf
NEVADA
No state legislation regarding piercing Legislature There is regulations for Clark county only http://www.leg.state.nv.us/ Clark County http://www.co.clark.nv.us/
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Single use needles for ear piercing (SB 140) passed 7/1/99 http://www.state.nh.us/gencourt/bills/99bills/sb0140.html New Hampshire House (HB 1473) 1996 http://webster.state.nh.us/gencourt/hbills/hb1473.htm US/New Hampshire: Tattoo Practitioner http://webster.state.nh.us/soiccnh/tattoop.htm US/New Hampshire: Town of Hampton Warrant Articles for 1996 http://www.hampton.lib.nh.us/hampton/town/warr96.htm
NEW JERSEY
Legislature http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/ Licensing of tattoo and body piercing artists (A 806) 3/2/00 passed -Document address- http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2000/Bills/a1000/806_i1.htm Parental consent for minors (A 811) 1/11/00 passed -Document address- http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2000/Bills/a1000/811_i1.htm Establishes oversight agency (A 710) 6/21/99 passed -Document address- http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/9899/Bills/a1000/710_i1.htm Parental consent (A 1621) 6/21/99 passed -Document address- http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/9899/Bills/a2000/1621_i1.htm New Jersey: Body piercing parlor files suit -Document address- http://www.bergenrecord.com/pcentral/piercemc.htm New Jersey Newswatch -Document address- http://www.jerseynews.com/Coaster/Stories/CnFronNW.htm New Jersey State Board of Medical Examiners Agenda 1/8/97 Examination of Assembly Bill 2546 -Document address- http://www.eyecare.org/legal/njbme/ba970108.html
NEW YORK
Assembly http://assembly.state.ny.us/ City Clerk's Office http://oneonta.otsego.net/depts2.htm Establishes age requirements (A 2599) 1/26/99 passed -Document address- http://assembly.state.ny.us/cgi-bin/showtext?billnum=A02599 Regulation and licensing of studios (A5232) 2/24/99 passed -Document address- http://assembly.state.ny.us/cgi-bin/showtext?billnum=A05232 Regulation and licensing of piercing and tattoo artists' (A 6181) 3/2/99 passed -Document address- http://assembly.state.ny.us/cgi-bin/showtext?billnum=A06181 Regulation and licensing of piercing and tattoo artists' (A 7282) 3/29/99 passed -Document address- http://assembly.state.ny.us/cgi-bin/showtext?billnum=A07282 Establishes penalties for underage piercing (A9382) 1/18/99 passed -Document address- http://assembly.state.ny.us/cgi-bin/showtext?billnum=A09342 Permits required (S 1326) 1/20/00 passed -Document address- http://assembly.state.ny.us/cgi-bin/showtext?billnum=S01326 Unlawful to pierce under age or intoxicated (S 1564) 1/26/99 passed -Document address- http://assembly.state.ny.us/cgi-bin/showtext?billnum=S01564 Unlawful to pierce under age or intoxicated (S 2162) 2/4/99 passed -Document address- http://assembly.state.ny.us/cgi-bin/showtext?billnum=S02162
NORTH CAROLINA
No piercing legislation found as of 4/4/00 General Assembly http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/ Bill information http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/html1999/billInfo/billInfo.html Legislative Research Library (919) 733-9390 http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/LegLibrary/
NORTH DAKOTA
No Statewide laws as of 4/4/00 / all current laws are done by municipality Legislative http://www.state.nd.us/lr/
OHIO
Legislature http://www.state.oh.us/ohio/legislat.htm General Assembly http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/ Office of the governor http://www.ohio.gov/gov/7-14-97.html Licensing fees (HB 25) 97-98 passed -Document address- http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/bills.cfm?ID=122_HB_25_5_N1 Regulation of piercing/ tattoo studios (SB 25) 97-98 passed -Document address- http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/bills.cfm?ID=122_HB_25_5_N1
OKLAHOMA
Legislature http://www.lsb.state.ok.us/ Age requirements (Statute 21-842.1) effective 11/1/98 -document address- http://www2.lsb.state.ok.us/os/os%5F21%2D842.1.rtf licensing of artists/ studio & equipment guidelines/ Supervisory agency (Statute 21-842.3) effective 11/1/98 http://www2.lsb.state.ok.us/os/os%5F21%2D842.3.rtf Age requirements and penalty (HB 2547) passed 12/99 -Document address- http://www.lsb.state.ok.us/senate/LegisRevu98.dir/lr98crime.html#hb2547
OREGON
Legislature http://www.leg.state.or.us/ Regulation of piercing (SB 15) 1999 session -Document address- http://www.leg.state.or.us/99reg/measures/sb0001.dir/sb0015.int.html
PENNSYLVANIA
General Assembly http://www.legis.state.pa.us/ Providing oversight by the Dept. Of Health (HB 611) passed 99 -Document address- http://www.legis.state.pa.us/search?NS-search-page=document&NS-rel-doc-name=/WU01/LI/BI/BT/1999/0/HB0611P0644.HTM&NS-query =piercing&NS-search-type=NS-boolean-query&NS-collection=1999_Bill_Text_-_Regular_Session&NS-docs-found=8&NS-doc-number=1 Regulation of tattoo and piercing artists (SB 532) passed 99 -Document address- http://www.legis.state.pa.us/search?NS-search-page=document&NS-rel-doc-name=/WU01/LI/BI/BT/1999/0/HB0611P0644.HTM&NS-query =piercing&NS-search-type=NS-boolean-query&NS-collection=1999_Bill_Text_-_Regular_Session&NS-docs-found=8&NS-doc-number=1 Age Requirements (HB 347) passed 99 -Document address- http://www.legis.state.pa.us/search?NS-search-page=document&NS-rel-doc-name=/WU01/LI/BI/BT/1999/0/HB0347P0360.HTM&NS-query =piercing&NS-search-type=NS-boolean-query&NS-collection=1999_Bill_Text_-_Regular_Session&NS-docs-found=8&NS-doc-number=3
RHODE ISLAND
Legislature www.state.ri.us Health and safety of body piercing (H 7870) 98 passed -Document address- http://www.state.ri.us/98session/billtext/98H7870.htm
SOUTH CAROLINA
Waiting for signature on the 10th of April 00' Health and Human Services / bill research http://www.state.sc.us/ Est. of requirements for piercing inspections/ Fees/ Penalties (S139) last amended on 3/30/00 -Document address- http://www.lpitr.state.sc.us/bills/139.htm
SOUTH DAKOTA
Legislature http://www.state.sd.us/state/legis/lrc.htm Municipal regulation is optional. Check for specific guidelines for you area. -Document address- http://www.state.sd.us/state/legis/lrc/statutes/lrcmenu.htm http://www.state.sd.us/state/legis/lrc/statutes/lrcmenu.htm
TENNESSEE
Legislation currently under consideration as of 4/4/00 General Assembly http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/ Regulation of body piercing Senate and House bills –Document address- http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/101gahtm/101_BILL/SB0210.pdf http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/101gahtm/101_BILL/SB1069.pdf http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/101gahtm/101_BILL/SB1556.pdf http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/101gahtm/101_BILL/SB1486.pdf http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/101gahtm/101_BILL/SB1012.pdf http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/101gahtm/101_BILL/HB1207.pdf http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/101gahtm/101_BILL/HB1208.pdf http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/101gahtm/101_BILL/HB1793.pdf http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/101gahtm/101_BILL/HB1794.pdf
TEXAS
Legislature http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/ Age requirements (SB 61) passed 9/1/99 studio standards and licenses pending as of 04/04/2000 http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/db2www/tlo/billhist/billhist.d2w/ report?LEG=76&SESS=R&CHAMBER=S&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=00061 http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=76&SESS= R&CHAMBER=S&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=00061&VERSION=5&TYPE=B
UTAH
Legislature http://www.state.ut.us/government/legislative.html Bill updates http://www.le.state.ut.us/sessyr.htm Unlawful piercing of a minor (statue 76-10-2201) enacted 98 -Document address- http://www.le.state.ut.us/~code/TITLE76/htm/76_0C197.htm
VERMONT
No piercing legislation as of 4/4/00 Legislature http://www.leg.state.vt.us/ Bill updates http://www.leg.state.vt.us/database/database2.cfm?Session=2000
VIRGINIA
General assembly http://legis.state.va.us/ Age Requirements and penalty for underage piercing (HB758) offered 1/24/00-Document address- http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?001+ful+HB758 Regulation of piercing and tattooing salons (HB1108) offered 1/24/2000 -Document address- http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?001+ful+HB1108 HB1108er Approved in current legislative session -Document address- http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?001+ful+HB1108ER HB1108H1 Proposed by the House Committee for Courts of Justice 2/10/00-Document address- http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?001+ful+HB1108H1
WASHINGTON
Legislature http://www.leg.wa.gov/wsladm/default.htm Age requirements (SB 6611) passed -Document address- http://search.leg.wa.gov/pub/textsearch/ViewRoot.asp?Action=Html&Item=0&X=405174339&p=1 Regulation of body art facilities (SB 5138) read 1/13/99 Referred to committee (Health and Long Term Care) -Document address- http://search.leg.wa.gov/pub/textsearch/ViewRoot.asp?Action=Html&Item=1&X=405174339&p=1 Penalty for underage piercing/ tattooing (SB 5311) read 1/19/99 -Document address- http://search.leg.wa.gov/pub/textsearch/ViewRoot.asp?Action=Html&Item=2&X=405174339&p=1 Regulation of a Body art studio (SB 6683) passed -Document address- http://search.leg.wa.gov/pub/textsearch/ViewRoot.asp?Action=Html&Item=14&X=405174339&p=1
WASHINGTON D.C.
No Piercing legislation found as of 4/4/00. Legislature http://www.washingtondc.gov/ccouncil/exlinks/cclegislation.htm
WEST VIRGINIA
Legislature
http://www.legis.state.wv.us/
Registration of studios
WISCONSIN
Legislature http://www.legis.state.wi.us/
Reg. of body piercing and piercing artists (Statute 252.24) 97-98 passed -Document address- http://folio.legis.state.wi.us/cgi-bin/om_isapi.dll?clientID=131729&infobase= stats.nfo&j1=s.35.18%282%29stats&jump=s.3518%282%29stats&record={1ca5f}
WYOMING
No piercing legislation as of 4/4/00 Legislature http://legisweb.state.wy.us/
AUSTRALIA
LAWS, REGULATIONS, TABOOS,LAWSUITS, INSURANCE, STANDARDS & PRACTICES
Australia/Canberra: Business Law : ACT Laws of specific Application http://www.dpa.act.gov.au/ag/b1.html#RTFToC145 Australia/Victoria/Melbourne Standards of Practice for Tattooing and Body Piercing http://hna.ffh.vic.gov.au/phb/hprot/tattoo/index.htm Australia: Skin Penetration Procedures Act 1994 http://actag.canberra.edu.au/actag/b1.html#RTFToC145 http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/act/consol_act/sppa1994310/
CANADA
Canada/BC/Victoria: Committee of the Whole Minutes - August 8/96 http://www.city.victoria.bc.ca/cw08086.htm Canada/BC/Victoria: Council Minutes - August 22/96 http://www.city.victoria.bc.ca/cc08226.htm
UNITED KINGDOM
UK :skin and ear piercing http://www.somerset.gov.uk/AtoZ/az-skpir.htm
Europe