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        June 8, 2001

Legislature adopts body piercing, tattoo law

Mineola, NY - In a unanimous vote, members of the Nassau County Legislature adopted local legislation that requires tattoo parlors in Nassau County be licensed with the Department of Health and that young adults under the age of 18 have notarized parental consent before obtaining a tattoo or having their body pierced or branded.

Those businesses found to be in violation could face a fine of up to $750 for the first violation, $1,500 for the second, and $3,000 for the third. If the law is signed by the County Executive, it would become effective January 1, 2002.

"This is a common sense law that addresses the concerns of parents who may be worried about their underage child getting a tattoo or body piercing from an unlicensed tattoo parlor where infectious diseases can be transmitted through unclean devices," said Legislator Patrick Williams (D-Uniondale) on behalf of the Democratic caucus.

Any entity or person who knowingly and willfully violates the law could be fined not more than $750 for the first violation, and not less than $500 and not more than $1,500 for the second violation, and not less than $1,000 and not more than $3,000 for the third and subsequent violations.

Once the law has been signed by the County Executive, the Nassau County Health Department will develop regulations to establish qualifications for licensing and enforcement.



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