proposed law would require tanning regulations in Michigan
21January 2008

A bill pending in the state House would strengthen existing health code requirements that customers under 18 get a parent's permission to get that manufactured golden glow.

All customers regardless of age would have to sign a statement indicating they had read a written health warning upon their first visit, and signs noting the potential dangers of ultraviolet radiation would have to be posted. A bill in the state House could add some regulations to indoor tanning salons. Tanning salons would have to pay an annual state registration fee estimated at $150.

The Michigan Department of Community Health could be asked to come up with rules establishing safety standards.

A written warning statement, including the risks of ultraviolet radiation, would have to be signed by each customer on the first visit. Customers under 18 also would need to have a parent or guardian attend on the first visit and sign the consent form. A similar law already on the books related to customers under 18 would be replaced.

Warning posters related to ultraviolet radiation would have to be displayed inside salons.

A legislative analysis says preliminary information suggests there are about 1,300 tanning salons in Michigan, although some lobbyists say the number is closer to 1,800.
Tanning parlors are not licensed in Michigan. The House proposal would require indoor tanning operations to register with the state at the cost of $150 a year and give the state Department of Community Health limited oversight.

Several other states are debating the regulation of indoor tanning parlors. Health care organizations, including the Michigan State Medical Society, are promoting the bills as a way to fight skin cancer. Tanning salon operators agree with some of the bill's provisions, particularly the parental consent provisions. But some question whether a new law including registration with the state is necessary.  VIP Tanning, which has several Michigan locations, already requires all customers to sign a written consent form. Clients under 18 must have a parent accompany them on their first visit to sign the form.

"Everybody signs a consent form so they can make informed decisions," said Marshall Habba, manager of VIP's East Lansing location. "It's the policy in a lot of places."
But some lawmakers want to make sure all tanning salons have some degree of state supervision and face fines for violations.

"The industry feels most operators are already doing these things. But we want to make sure it will happen across the industry," said state Rep. Frank Accavitti, a Democrat from Eastpointe and the legislation's main sponsor. "There needs to be a system to deal with bad actors."

The legislation could help protect the public and drive down health care costs, according to the Michigan State Medical Society.

About 25 states have some form of restricted access for teens who want to use tanning beds.  North Dakota lawmakers passed laws last year requiring children under 14 to get a doctor's permission. Salons must be licensed.

Virginia requires parental consent for customers under age 15. New York prohibits children under 14 from using salons and requires parental permission for those younger than 18.

Ohio already requires parental permission, but a bill has been introduced that would ban anyone under 18 from using tanning booths without a doctor's prescription for ultraviolet radiation treatments.  "Young people want to look good," said state Rep. Chuck Moss, a Republican from Birmingham and a co-sponsor of the Michigan bill. "But young people don't always consider the long-term health consequences of exposing themselves to radiation. When you are 14, 15, 16 and you want to look cool in high school, you might be willing to do some things that might put you at serious risk of skin cancer down the road."

But lawmakers in some states aren't convinced they need to get involved. Lawmakers in Colorado and South Dakota last year rejected bills that would have required parental permission.

"States don't have to require businesses to do this stuff," said John Overstreet, executive director of the Washington-based Indoor Tanning Association. "The bottom line is the vast majority of businesses already do what would be required in the bill."

Tim Martin, The Associated Press, http://blog.mlive.com