New rules for body art businesses

Earlier, the law's author, Democratic Assemblywoman Fiona Ma of San Francisco said: "More and more people are getting piercings and tattoos, and it's our responsibility to ensure the threat of unsafe practices that can transmit diseases like HIV and hepat

  ·  San Diego Union-Tribune   ·  Link to Article

Body art practitioners — those who tattoo and pierce their customers — face new rules in San Diego County.

The Board of Supervisors on Wednesday altered a local ordinance governing tattoo parlors to conform to a newly enacted state law.

A county analysis of the changes says most local businesses should not be greatly impacted by the shift.

The law, passed as Assembly Bill 300, mostly targets tattoo artists by requiring them to register with “local enforcement agencies” around the state — likely county health officials. They must obtain a health permit and provide proof of hepatitis B vaccinations and safety training, among other requirements. Artists also must be at least 18 and follow a number of prescribed sanitary safeguards.

San Diego County already had regulations covering some of what’s in the new state law for tattoo parlors, but now the broader rules and safeguards also will cover those who do body piercing and permanent cosmetics, such as fill-in eyeliners.

The county had required body art shops to obtain a health permit and set guidelines for practitioners

Local authorities can charge fees to cover costs of collecting the information and monitoring. The fee package approved by the supervisors, who approved the changed ordinance on consent, would generate an estimated $81,000 in the current fiscal year, according to a county report.

County officials had previously met with tattoo artists and others that will be affected by the changes at three recent workshops. There are 165 body art facilities licensed in the county.

Earlier, the law’s author, Democratic Assemblywoman Fiona Ma of San Francisco said: “More and more people are getting piercings and tattoos, and it’s our responsibility to ensure the threat of unsafe practices that can transmit diseases like HIV and hepatitis is eliminated,”