Tattoo and Piercing Restrictions
|  Video
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| Brandi Powell |
| 2/26/2007 |
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| While some people get tattoos and body piercings to show their independence, some believe that kind of freedom shouldn`t be available to minors. State lawmakers are looking at a bill that would require shops to ensure tattoos aren`t given to anyone under 18 unless the minor`s parents are there and there`s written consent. Currently there are city ordinances in North Dakota. But the bill before the House Human Services Committee would give a statewide regulation when it comes to tattooing and piercing. "I love dragonflies," says Bismarck`s Aleisha Bouche. "I always have. I just figured, get it, get it while I`m young." But not too young. Even though Aleisha Bouche, 27, would not be stopped from getting a tattoo if a bill passes the North Dakota legislature, she says having a statewide regulation on tattooing and piercing when it comes to minors is crucial. "If it`s done somewhere else it should be done everywhere," says Bouche. The bill mirrors Bismarck`s city ordinance. But Michael Jay`s Justin Marter says it would be safer for families and kids alike to do away with city by city variations. "I`m proud that our state is going to step up and be the first ones that`s actually going to do a statewide regulation," says Justin Marter of Michael Jay`s Tattooing and Piercing. But it`s not law yet, though some lawmakers are pushing for it. "When it comes to a minor, these permanent type of things, I feel that parents should have some direct connection," says Senator Terry Wanzek of Jamestown. The legislation would not restrict individual counties from imposing even stricter penalties. There was no testimony in opposition to the bill. But when some people suggested amendments to place a penalty on unlicensed people, some lawmakers said that could be too broad and cause unintended consequences. If licensed shops do not comply, they would be cited with a Class B Misdemeanor. |
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