Senate Passes Bill To Keep Kids From Getting Tattoos

The Senate on Monday passed a bill to make it a misdemeanor to tattoo a child younger than 16 without the permission of the child’s parent.

Supporters of SB5190, sponsored by Sen. Pam Roach, R-Auburn, say that children under the age of 16 are not old enough to make such a permanent decision.

Daryl Ray Seaver, who owns tattoo shops in Tacoma, Renton and Seattle, has said that a number of tattooists are drug addicts or ex-convicts who are unconcerned about the dangerous effects of tattooing.

He said some tattoo artists have open sores which spread hepatitis and staph infections.

The Senate vote was nearly unanimous, with only one “no” vote, from Sen. Darlene Fairley, D-Lake Forest Park.