S.B. 51: COMMITTEE SUMMARY TATTOO/PIERCING: PARENTAL CONSENT
Senate Bill 51 (as introduced 1-17-95) Sponsor: Senator Christopher D. Dingell Committee: Health Policy and Senior Citizens
Date Completed: 2-26-96
The bill would amend the Public Health Code to add a provision that would make it a misdemeanor for a person to tattoo or perform body piercing on a minor unless the person obtained the prior written informed consent of the minor’s parent or guardian. The person would have to obtain the consent at the location where the tattooing or body-piercing was to be performed, and be present when the consent was executed.
The misdemeanor would be punishable by imprisonment for up to 90 days, a fine of up to $500, or both, per violation. Further, a person who committed a violation would be liable for a civil action for the greater of actual damages or $1,000, plus reasonable court costs and attorney fees.
Under the bill, “body piercing” would be the perforation of human tissue, other than an ear, for nonmedical purposes. A “tattoo” would be an indelible mark made on the body of another person by the insertion of a pigment under the skin, or an indelible design made by the production of scars.
Proposed MCL 333.13101-333.13103 Legislative Analyst: G. Towne
The bill would have an indeterminate, yet likely small fiscal impact on local government, and no fiscal impact on State government.
There is no reliable way to predict how many violations of the bill’s new provision would occur. To the extent that violators would be prosecuted and sanctioned, local units of government could incur additional costs, the extent of which is indeterminate, yet likely relatively small.
Fiscal Analyst: M. Hansen
S9596\S51SA
This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.
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