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History
- Substituted by A10095
- Ordered to third reading cal.1228
- Reported and committed to rules
- Referred to health
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Allows body piercing with parental or guardian consent for persons under the age of 18
Signed by Governor · Sponsor Michael Simanowitz
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:S7446
Title of bill
An act to amend the public health law, in relation to allowing body piercing with parental or guardian consent for persons under the age of eighteen
Purpose
To place restrictions on an owner, operator or employee of a body piercing studio. This bill prohibits them from performing body piercing on a person under eighteen years of age without the written consent of a parent or guardian.
Summary of provisions
Amends Article 4-A of the public health law by adding section 460-a. Subdivision 1 prohibits any owner, operator or employee of a body piercing studio from conducting that action on a person under eighteen years of age, unless the studio is provided with the written consent of a parent or legal guardian of the minor in question. It also signifies that the written consent form will be prescribed by the commissioner, and that a completed form must be retained by the studio for 12 months. Subdivision 2 deals with the expiration of a written consent form, and subdivision 3 concerns this law in relation to local laws and ordinances.
Justification
Of the people with body piercings, more than a third received their first piercing before the age of 18. Body piercings are well-documented to have possible adverse health effects, with complications arising in 25% of all cases. These complications include allergic reactions, skin infections, scarring, and general discomfort. It is important for a parent or guardian to be aware of all of the potential risks associated with body piercing, which is generally not the case if written consent is not required by the studio.
A recent article in the New York Post highlights a reporter who witnessed girls as young as 12 receiving body piercings without written consent at a studio on St. Marks Place in Manhattan. There is currently no minimum age requirement for body piercing, and while certain studios require written consent before piercing persons under the age of eighteen, many do not. This legislation is necessary to mitigate the dangerous effects of body piercing, while ensuring that parents/guardians play a pivotal role in the decision for persons less than eighteen years of age to receive a body piercing.
Legislative history
New bill.
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This bill shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have become a law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.