Members of the indoor tanning industry have a chance to voice their opposition to Maryland Bill 1226 tomorrow, March 9, at 1 p.m. in the Health and Government Operations Committee.
The bill was introduced Feb. 10 in the Maryland Legislature to institute statewide tanning salon restrictions. Sponsored by 20 state representatives, the bill would require extensive licensing regulations including a permit from the Secretary of Health and Mental Hygiene to operate a tanning facility and a separate license for each tanning facility; require the Secretary to issue licenses and adopt regulations concerning tanning facilities; provide for the scope of a license to operate a tanning facility; provide for the term, renewal, and display of licenses for tanning facilities; and provide hearing and appeal procedures, etc.
In addition to licensing regulations and other requirements, HB 1226 would require a tanning facility to post warning signs in a conspicuous location visible to individuals entering the facility and near tanning devices; require an operator on duty sufficiently knowledgeable in the correct operation of tanning devices; require written warning statements; require that properly sanitized eyewear be provided free; and require records be maintained for three years from the anniversary of a client's last visit.
Furthermore, minors under age 13 would be banned with few exceptions including a physician’s written prescription indicating relevant medical condition and the number of visits and the length of exposure for each visit, or if the minor has written permission or is physically accompanied by a parent or guardian during the tanning session.
At press time, HB 1226 was under review in the Health and Government Operations Committee. The hearing date has been scheduled tomorrow at 1 p.m.
For more information on this bill or for a list of the bill’s sponsors, visit http://mlis.state.md.us/2006rs/billfile/hb1226.htm#History or for a complete listing of Legislative hotline numbers visit http://www.tanningtraining.com/reginfo/numbers.html.
