2018 -- H 7136

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LC003487

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2018

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY - TANNING FACILITY SAFETY STANDARDS

ACT

     Introduced By: Representatives Ackerman, Shekarchi, McNamara, Vella-Wilkinson,
and Serpa

     Date Introduced: January 12, 2018

     Referred To: House Corporations

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 23-68-4 of the General Laws in Chapter 23-68 entitled "Tanning

Facility Safety Standards Act" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     23-68-4. Safety standards established.

     The director of the department of health shall, by regulation, establish minimum safety

standards for tanning facilities. The standards shall include, but not be limited to:

     (1) Establishment of a maximum safe time of exposure to radiation and a maximum safe

temperature at which tanning devices may be operated;

     (2) A requirement that a timer device be incorporated into each tanning device;

     (3) A requirement that a patron at a tanning facility wear protective eye glasses when

using tanning equipment and that a patron be supervised as to the length of time the patron uses

tanning equipment at the facility;

     (4) Requiring that the facility operator post easily legible, permanent warning signs near

the tanning equipment which states: "Danger -- Ultra-violet radiation. Follow all instructions.

Avoid overexposure"; as well as a list, prepared by the director of the department of health, of

prescription and non-prescription drugs which may cause photosensitivity in patients using a

tanning center;

     (5) Require that the facility have protective shielding for tanning equipment in the

facility; and

     (6) A prohibition on the use of tanning facilities by a person younger than eighteen (18)

years of age, unless:.

     (a) Such person presents a prescription for receiving ultra-violet radiation treatments

written by a physician licensed to practice medicine pursuant to chapter 5-37; or

     (b) For every two (2) uses of a tanning facility, the parent or legal guardian of such

person signs a written consent form in the presence of a tanning facility staff member. The

written consent form shall contain, at a minimum, the following language: "I understand that the

world health organization has classified the ultraviolet radiation used in tanning facilities as a

Class 1 carcinogen, the same category as tobacco products. By exposing my child to ultraviolet

radiation in this tanning facility, the possibility of my child developing melanoma (skin cancer)

will increase. I also understand that there are safe alternatives available to achieve the same

cosmetic effect as exposing my child's skin to ultraviolet radiation, such as spray tanning or

bronzing creams."

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY - TANNING FACILITY SAFETY STANDARDS

ACT

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     This act would prohibit the use of tanning facilities by persons less than eighteen (18)

years of age.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC003487

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