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.

Michigan
A licensing program under the title House Bill 4580 is currently being considered in Michigan. The bill, introduced by Representative Frank Accavitti, Jr., does not call for any kind of ban; rather, it would require written, informed parental consent for all tanners under the age of 18, and would require tanners to use eye protection. Although the ITA considers the bill relatively straightforward, its members in the “Great Lakes State” continue to watch it closely.

New York
Lawmakers in New York’s Nassau County recently passed a bill affecting tanning salons in that area. The bill prohibits anyone under 18 from tanning without parental consent, and requires tanners under the age of 16 to have a parent or legal guardian present at the salon each time they tan. “This situation came up so quickly that we were unaware of it until after the bill had passed,” commented John Overstreet, ITA Executive Director. “When a similar situation occurred in Suffolk County, NY, we were able to stay on top of it because salon pros from that area notified us about the pending legislation, and we would have liked to have done the same in this instance.”

In the state of New York, lawmakers continue to ponder S2602, a bill sponsored by Sen. Charles J. Fushchillo, 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 working on this issue.

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.