Enrolled Bill Summary

            Senate Bill 61 amends the Health and Safety Code to add body piercing studios to the chapter regulating tattoo facilities. It requires licensure of body piercing studios by the Texas Department of Health, provides for the issuance of a temporary license for special events, includes sanitation and inspection requirements, excludes ear piercing from the definition of "body piercing," and exempts ear piercing establishments. The act prohibits a person from performing body piercing on an individual younger than 18 years of age without the written and notarized consent of the minor's parent, managing conservator, or guardian. A person is prohibited from performing body piercing if the person suspects that the individual on whom the body piercing is to be performed is under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The act requires a person who performs body piercing to maintain a permanent record of each individual whose body is pierced by the person for a period established by the Texas Board of Health.

            The act takes effect September 1, 1999, except that a body piercing studio is not required to be licensed until June 1, 2000.