STAND. COM. REP. NO.181

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2001

RE: H.B. No. 1075

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2001

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health, to which was referred H.B. No. 1075 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TATTOO ARTISTS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to allow tattoo artists to apply facial tattoos without physician supervision.

Testimony in support of this measure was received from various facial tattoo artists, derma-technicians, and concerned citizens.

The Department of Health opposed this measure stating that facial tattooing in close proximity to extremely sensitive parts of the human anatomy should be done under the supervision of a physician. Moreover, the Department had some concerns regarding the health or medical background of the tattoo artists.

Your Committee understands that in 1990 legislation was enacted regulating tattoo artists performing any procedures above the jaw line. This legislation required that tattoo artists performing such procedures be under the general supervision of a physician. However, your Committee finds that the term "general supervision" was deemed too vague by many physicians and made them unwilling to sign any forms that may increase their liability. Thus, many talented, properly trained, and licensed tattoo artists that specialized in permanent makeup and cosmetic tattooing were not able to renew their licenses.

 

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1075 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Health,

____________________________

DENNIS A. ARAKAKI, Chair