Senate Bill 814 Summary

• Requires all tattoo artists and body piercing operators to be licensed by the State Department of Health and prohibits tattooing of persons under 18 years old without parental consent and presence.

• Mandates written consent forms for all body piercing and tattooing procedures acknowledging understanding of risks, which must be maintained and subject to inspection by health officials or law enforcement.

• Prohibits scleral tattooing (tattooing on the eye) entirely and establishes that tattooing cannot be performed on intoxicated persons.

• Requires Department of Health to notify district attorneys of violations and imposes criminal penalties (up to 90 days jail and $5,000 fine) plus administrative fines up to $5,000 per violation per day, with authority to deny, suspend, or revoke licenses.

• Establishes that body piercing and tattoo operators must be licensed in appropriate category; cities and counties may adopt additional regulations; requires $100,000 surety bond and restricts new licenses within 1,000 feet of churches, schools, or playgrounds; effective July 1, 2013 with emergency clause.