Kentucky Tattoo Laws
STATEWIDE NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Anita Travis, 502/564-7181,
ext: 3718
Implementation of Body Piercing Regulations
FRANKFORT,
KY. (March 3, 2004) -- The Cabinet for Health and Family Services and
local health departments will start regulating body piercing April 1
under a law requiring registration and certification.
The
2002 law requires persons performing body piercing to become registered
with their local health department and to obtain certification of the
body piercing studio.
Facilities
that pierce only ear lobes using an ear piercing gun will be required
to obtain a limited ear piercing studio certification and a limited
ear piercing registration for each person performing the procedure,
according to Anita Travis with the Division of Public Health Protection
and Safety.
Local
health department environmental health inspectors currently provide
oversight for the tattoo program and will also provide oversight for
the body piercing and limited ear piercing programs.
This
oversight will include:
The
body piercing studios will be inspected twice a year, as are the tattoo
studios, and the limited ear piercing studios will be inspected once
a year. The registration for the studio and those performing procedures
will be posted in a conspicuous location within the studio for the general
public to view. Currently, there are 400 tattoo artists and 300
tattoo studios statewide.
?The
new law requires minors wishing to obtain a tattoo or a body piercing
to provide a written notarized consent of a custodial parent or a legal
guardian,? Travis said.
Tattooing
and body piercing is prohibited on skin which has a rash, pimples,
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evidence of infection, open lesions,
mole, sunburn, or manifests any evidence of unhealthy conditions without
the written clearance by a physician licensed by the Kentucky Board
of Medical Licensure.
The
regulation requires that each client be provided with written and verbal
after care instructions that includes information on the care of the
tattoo or piercing, possible side effects, any activity restrictions,
signs and symptoms of infection and instructions to consult a physician
if signs and symptoms of infection such as fever, swelling, redness
or drainage occur.
"These
new regulations will help foster industry uniformity and add a level
of protection for our citizens," said Guy F. Delius, acting director
of Public Health Protection and Safety.
If
you have questions about tattoo or body piercing, call your local health
department environmental health specialist or the Division of Public
Health Protection and Safety at 502/564-7181, Ext: 3718.
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