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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2019 - 2020
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | February 4, 2020 05:14 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Adam Ravenstahl and Rep. Brandon J. Markosek |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Indoor Tanning - Minimum Age of 18 |
| In 2014, the General Assembly passed Act 41, which provided for the regulation of indoor tanning facilities, and established the Indoor Tanning Regulation Fund. Act 41 provided that no one 16 years of age or younger shall use a tanning facility, and that a 17 year old required parental consent to use a tanning facility. In the near future, we intend to introduce legislation that would increase the minimum age for the use of an indoor tanning device to 18. In 2013, the American Cancer Society estimated 76,690 new cases of melanoma in the United States and 9,480 deaths as a result of the disease. Risk factors for melanoma include sun exposure and sunburn, blistering sunburns during childhood or teenage years, fair skin, freckles, moles, and a family history of melanoma. High risk exposure to ultraviolet light happens more commonly in teens than across other age groups, and blistering sunburns and overexposure to ultraviolet light during childhood greatly increase the chance of developing skin cancer later in life. As a result, at least 44 states have taken steps to regulate the use of tanning devices by minors, and 19 states have banned the use of ultraviolet tanning devices by anyone under age 18. This legislation will also provide that the Department of Health is authorized to suspend or revoke a facility’s license for violations. Persons who violate the provisions of the act regarding a minor’s use of a tanning device shall be subject to a civil penalty of fines that range from $250 for the first violation, $500 for the second violation, and $1,000 for the third and any subsequent violations. All fines imposed for a violation of this act will be paid into the Indoor Tanning Regulation Fund. Please join us in co-sponsoring this legislation. |
Memo Updated: February 4, 2020 05:15 PM