Senate Passes Bill to Regulate Tanning Facilities
The state Senate has unanimously passed a bill that would regulate the state’s tanning facilities and set age limits for who can use them.
The bill has been sent to the House of Representatives Health and Human Services Committee.
“When we’re talking about improving health care, this is a way to improve health care and reduce costs. It seems to be a no-brainer,” said Bruce Brod, MD, legislative coordinator for the Pennsylvania Academy of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery and a member of the Pennsylvania Medical Society (PAMED).
Senate Bill 460 would prohibit children younger than 14 from using a tanning device without a letter from a physician. It would require parents to accompany 14- to 18-year-olds to the tanning facility and sign written permission each time they use a tanning device.
SB 460 also would require tanning facilities to:
- Have a license
- Undergo inspections
- Post signs warning of the hazards of ultraviolet rays
- Have customers sign a warning statement
- Report injuries to the state
- Train operators of tanning beds
More than 10 years ago, Pennsylvania physicians first took up the fight to regulate tanning facilities. Since then, many states—including neighboring Maryland, Ohio, and New York—have taken steps to regulate these facilities and establish age restrictions.
But Pennsylvania’s tanning facilities are still unregulated.
The charge has been led by the Pennsylvania Academy of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery and supported by PAMED. In 2008, the PAMED House of Delegates voted to seek legislation banning anyone younger than 18 from using a tanning device that uses ultraviolet (UV) rays, which can cause skin cancer, premature aging, weakened immune systems, and eye damage.
“Young people seem to have a particular risk of developing skin cancer, in particular melanoma, which is one of the most deadly forms of skin cancer,” Dr. Brod said.
A related bill is under consideration by the Senate Judiciary Committee. Senate Bill 461 would make it a criminal offense to offer indoor tanning services to anyone younger than 18 without parental permission.
“There’s a responsibility to protect younger people who may not have the same amount of experience to make those judgments. Just like cigarettes and alcohol are restricted for young people, we’d like to see some type of restrictions on youth for indoor tanning,” Dr. Brod said.
PAMED and the Pennsylvania Academy of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery believe that these bills are a good start to regulating indoor tanning facilities, though more work would need to be done to completely protect minors from the harmful effects of UV light.
Last Updated: 7/6/2010