Since its inception more than seven years ago, the Indoor Tanning Association has stood as the industry’s line of defense against the various state and federal governments seeking to over-regulate indoor tanning. The group travels across the country, working with salon pros and lobbyists to protect people’s right to tan. Because of the importance of the organization’s work, Island Sun Times has teamed up with the ITA to keep you updated about proposed regulation changes across the country, and encourage tanning professionals to get involved.

ILLINOIS
Salon professionals in Illinois can breath a sigh of relief after lawmakers there made amendments to House Bill H452. Initially, the Illinois House of Representatives considered a complete ban on tanning for anyone under the age of 18, as proposed in the bill. Instead, lawmakers agreed to put into statute what is already required by regulation there – parental consent for tanners under 18, and no tanning for persons under the age of 14.

MINNESOTA
Minnesota Senate Bill 1114 has caught the watchful eye of the Indoor Tanning Association. Authored by Sen. James P. Metzen, the bill, if passed, would require a warning sign on all tanning units that reads, “Danger – Ultraviolet radiation warning. Failure to use protective eyewear may result in severe burns or long-term injury to the eyes.” The bill also would require a doctor’s permission and parental consent for persons under the age of 13; 13-15 year olds would have to be accompanied by a parent to the salon, and signed consent would be required for 16 and 17 year olds. The ITA currently has representatives in Minnesota who are working on this issue.

NEW YORK
The New York Senate is currently considering S2602, a bill sponsored by Sen. Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. If passed, the proposed bill would require written parental consent for persons 14 to 18 years old, and would require all consent forms to be signed in the presence of a salon employee aged 18 or older. The bill also calls for a ban on tanning for teens under 14. The ITA currently has representatives in the state who are working on this issue.

GEORGIA
Georgia’s House Bill 702 has captured the attention of the ITA. Sponsored by Rep. Karla Drenner, HB702, if passed, would set a maximum exposure time of 15 minutes for all salons in the state. The ITA is very concerned about this aspect of the bill, and because of it, the organization’s representatives are working very closely on this issue. The rest of HB702 is a “basic licensing bill,” according to John Overstreet, ITA Executive Director. It calls for parental consent for persons under 18, and parents of teens under 14 must accompany their children to the salon if they wish to allow them to tan.

STRENGTH IN NUMBERS
While indoor tanning’s enemies are many and powerful, this industry can stand against them if it stands together. The ITA and IST urge all salon owners to contact the ITA to become involved with any regulatory battles in your state. The more people who let their voices be heard by standing up against unfair tanning regulations, the more the lawmakers are apt to listen. Indoor tanning is how all of us earn our living, so it’s up to the tanning professionals to protect this industry from becoming over-regulated to the point of extinction.