People brought us pictures of people with complications,” Meyer said. “We heard stories of people that had infections. The bill he sponsored would have required body-art establishments to follow a health protocol. “AIDS is just one of many, but hepatitis and other diseases are spread by blood, and if you don’t take proper precautions, you put people at risk for getting those diseases.” “We worked on all kinds of procedures and policies to protect employees, whether they were doctors, nurses or phlebotomists from bloodborne diseases,” he said. Meyer said a tattoo artist who wanted to begin licensing regulations on the industry brought him the bill.Īs a physician, Meyer said he understands the dangers of bloodborne pathogens well. In the 2015 legislative session, Meyer introduced a bill that would have regulated body-art establishments. Eric Meyer, former Arizona House representative from Paradise Valley, age restrictions don’t go far enough. “It is for the health of our customers and for the benefit of our clientele.” Lawmakers’ previous attempts failĪccording to the National Conference of State Legislatures, nearly every state has a regulation on the age limit of those getting tattoos, including Arizona. “(Regulations) are necessary,” Johnson said. In 1992, Johnson and members of the National Tattoo Association lobbied in the Florida legislature for total regulation on the industry. I think there should be some regulation.”īill Johnson, vice president of the National Tattoo Association, said he has been in the tattoo industry for more than 40 years and advocates for more regulation. And those bacteria can get into the skin and cause an infection. “During the tattoo process, you’re puncturing the skin, which has bacteria crawling on it. Dan Quan, an emergency room physician and toxicologist with the Maricopa Integrated Health System. “Tattoos are becoming more and more popular,” said Dr. Roughly three in 10 Americans have at least one tattoo, according to a recent Harris Poll. The lack of regulations, some medical experts say, increases the likelihood of bloodborne pathogens spreading – especially because the popularity of tattoos continues to grow. … It’s a problem looking for a solution.” “I’m not aware of people are getting sick from tattoos. “I just thought it was more regulation in an area that doesn’t need more regulation,” he said. His office announced on Wednesday that the state has eliminated more than 600 “needless regulations.”Ĭhandler resident Andy Blackledge, 48, signed up in opposition to the bill. Doug Ducey has made it a key point in his administration. And Arizona has a reputation for trying to reduce regulation. However, similar bills to regulate body-art establishments have failed in previous years. If passed, House Bill 2442 would require all body-art businesses to follow sanitation guidelines, require annual bloodborne pathogen training and would allow local health departments to inspect premises and investigate complaints. The Coconino County Public Health Services District requires all body-art operators to register their business and participate in an annual training course on bloodborne pathogens as a part of their local licensure. I mean, there are serious bloodborne illnesses that you can get from (the shops).”Ĭoconino County is the only county in Arizona that regulates the tattoo industry, according to the Arizona Department of Health Services. “As a consumer, you expect (tattoo shops) to have regular inspections. “To find out that there are no regulations on the tattoo and body-art industry is just shocking,” Butler said. She introduced a bill that would require body-art establishments – which covers businesses that do tattoos, piercings, branding and scarifications – to get a health certificate. The state requires tattoo artists to use sterilized needles and prohibits minors from getting tattoos without an adult’s consent.īut the state doesn’t regulate the industry, which means tattoo and body-piercing parlors don’t get inspected and employees aren’t required to undergo training. Yet Arizona is one of the few states that has minimal restrictions. They often require the businesses to have licenses and the customers to remain sober. Lawmaker: Lack of regulation on Arizona tattoo industry is ‘shocking’
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