Committee clears minors’ tanning-bed bill, backs Rusche’s amendments

Rep. John Rusche, D-Lewiston, presented possible amendments to HB 486, the bill to ban minors from using tanning beds in Idaho, and told the House Health & Welfare Committee, “I would ask your wisdom” on whether the amendments should be added to the bill. They include an exemption for tanning beds in private residences; an exemption for spray-on sunless tanning products “just so there’s no confusion;” and lowering the age of the ban from under 18 to under 15, while requiring in-person parental consent for minors under 18. Another amendment would ban tanning salons from knowingly providing false information about the risks; and a third would require warning signs to be posted at salons that provide tanning bed use to minors.

Rep. Ken Roberts, R-Donnelly, then moved to send the bill to the House’s amending order with all three proposed amendments attached. Rep. Steven Thayn, R-Emmett, said, “I’m a little concerned that the industry wasn’t involved in writing the bill.” He said, “I’m not so sure this bill’s quite ready. I would like to see some discussion between the parties involved.” He offered a substitute motion to hold the bill in committee, killing it.

Rep. Jim Guthrie, R-McCammon, made an amended substitute motion to send the bill to the amending order to strike out any ban, and include only parental-consent requirements. “I think there’s probably some genuine risks involved, but I am troubled that there’s been no conversation with the stakeholders,” he said. He said his change would “get the conversation started” among parents about the issue.

Rusche, speaking against Guthrie’s motion, said, “There really is no value in tanning for young children, and the younger, the greater the likelihood of having permanent skin damage that would later become cancer.” Guthrie was the only one to support that motion; and Thayn’s also died, on an overwhelming voice vote. Roberts’ motion then passed on a   vote, and the bill will go to the full House for amendments.