Senate Approves Safety Measure to Regulate Tattooing

State Senator Frank Shurden has won full Senate approval for a measure to ensure the State Health Department has regulatory control over tattooing. Senate Bill 806 passed 30 to 15 on Wednesday.

“We are the only state that does not regulate tattooing. With Hepatitis C on the rise, we need to address this public health and safety issue and do what 49 other states are doing—make sure these businesses are not spreading disease,” said Shurden, D-Henryetta.

The legislation calls for tattoo parlors to be regulated by the State Health Department, which would be empowered to require licenses and fees that would cover the cost of inspections. The bill also makes it illegal for anyone to tattoo or offer to tattoo any person under the age of 18 as well as banning “body” piercing on anyone younger than 18. That language does not apply to ear piercing.

“This legislation isn’t about whether you approve or don’t approve of tattoos. We all know it is happening anyway—by ignoring it we are putting people’s health and even their very lives at risk. This simply acknowledges the fact that this is happening and that we need to regulate it,” Shurden said.

The measure now moves to the House of Representatives for further consideration.

For more information contact:
Senate Communications Office- (405) 521-5774