CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 34(FIN) "An Act relating to tattooing, body piercing, and ear piercing; relating to other occupations regulated by the Board of Barbers and Hairdressers; relating to fees charged by the Board of Barbers and Hairdressers; and providing for an effective date." SENATOR JOHNNY ELLIS, SPONSOR testified in support. He offered the legislation on behalf of a constituent whose child was injured from body piercing that was not done in a sanitary manner. The state of Alaska is the only state in the union that does not license the procedure. Injured clients have no recourse. There can be serious public health implications. National standards were used to craft the legislation. The Division of Occupational Licensing will license and test. The Department of Environmental Conservation, Division of Public Health will handle inspections. Co-Chair Therriault questioned the level of support from industry. Senator Ellis observed that there is support from industry. Representative G. Davis spoke in support of the legislation. Senator Ellis explained that the legislation was expanded to include permanent cosmetics at the request of a Fairbanks practitioner. Permanent cosmetics are used to paint permanent eyebrows on burn victims. Vice Chair Bunde spoke in support of the legislation. He pointed out that serious illnesses can result from unsafe practices. Senator Ellis observed that the Hepatitis C Coalition supports the legislation. In response to a question by Representative Phillips, Senator Ellis expressed support for the House Labor and Commerce version of SB 34. Parental permission was added to the legislation. DAINA RHOADES, STAFF, SENATOR JOHNNY ELLIS responded to a questioned by Representative Grussendorf. Temporary shop license could be used to operate temporary sites such as the Palmer Fair. Temporary shops would be inspected by the Department of Environmental Conservation and would have to comply with regulation requirements. The legislation does not address animals. Co-Chair Therriault referenced page 13, line 30. The legislation distinguishes between ear piercing and piercing of body parts. Senator Ellis noted that shops that do ear piercing would not be required to go through an apprenticeship and testing. The Department of Environmental Conservation would form regulations covering the guns used in ear piercing. She emphasized that greater oversight is required when other body parts are pierced. Co-Chair Therriault asked if the Department of Environmental Conservation would charge the fees and questioned the cost of travel. JANICE ADAIR, DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH, DEC provided information on the fiscal cost. She observed that there are approximately 10 tattoo parlors. No travel costs have been included. Ear piercing would only require regulations. Those regulations would cover basic sanitation issues. She added that there would be a fiscal note to cover the cost of locating ear-piercing locations. There are 675 ear-piercing establishments in the State. Co-Chair Therriault asked if there was a problem with ear piercing. Ms. Rhoades replied that most establishments do not like the guns. There is a growing concern that the needles on the guns are dangerous. National standards indicate that the guns are okay. Guns could be inspected under the regulations. She urged that the provision be retained and noted that many people are concerned about continued use of ear piercing guns. Senator Ellis agreed that it would be good to have some review regarding the use of ear piercing guns. Ms. Adair clarified that the occupational licensing fee would cover the oversight of the industry. Food inspectors would be used for the inspections. In response to a question by Vice Chair Bunde, Senator Ellis explained that the regulation would not apply to noncommercial practices. Vice Chair Bunde questioned if Native practices, which are noncommercial but involve one person tattooing another, would be covered under the legislation. Senator Ellis thought that the tattooing would have to be done in a safe and sanitary way, but suggested that the Board could address the issue. KENDALL THOMAS, ALASKA HEPATITIS C COALITION, ANCHORAGE testified via teleconference in support. SB 34 was heard and HELD in Committee for further consideration.