The House Health & Welfare Committee voted unanimously in favor of HB 177 this morning, the new GOP bill to require parental consent for 14- to 17-year-olds to use artificial tanning beds and prohibit their use entirely for those ages 13 and under. That matches the state's current laws regarding tattoos and piercings. The measure, sponsored by House Majority Caucus Chairman John Vander Woude, R-Nampa, now moves to the full House for a vote. The measure was opposed by representatives of the Idaho Freedom Foundation, but backed by Idaho dermatologists and skin cancer victims. It’s less far-reaching than earlier versions proposed in 2012 and 2013 as part of an effort to ban the use of the tanning beds by minors on health grounds. This year’s bill has 16 GOP co-sponsors from both houses, and is backed by the Idaho Medical Association.

AP reporter Ryan Struyk has a full report here.