By Bob Katzen m

The Judiciary Committee held a hearing on several bills. This hearing was the one that began on July 18 was disrupted by an electrical fire and was rescheduled for last week. Bills before the committee include:

BODY PIERCING AND TATTOOS (H 1386) – Would impose a $500 fine on anyone who sells or gives a body piercing or tattooing kit to an unlicensed practitioner or a minor.

“Studies show that home piercing or tattooing leads to an increased risk of communicable diseases such as hepatitis, HIV and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) infection,” said sponsor Rep. Bruce Ayers (D-Quincy). “This legislation would install further protections to ensure that only licensed trained professionals are providing these services. With a rise in popularity of home piercing and home tattooing kits, we need to ensure our laws are current with the trend.”