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        PRIOR PRINTER'S NO. 570                       PRINTER'S NO. 1624

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA


HOUSE BILL

No. 507 Session of 1997


        INTRODUCED BY E. Z. TAYLOR, MILLER, ITKIN, FICHTER, L. I. COHEN,
           CURRY, RUBLEY, MELIO, THOMAS, C. WILLIAMS, SANTONI, BELARDI,
           MUNDY, COLAFELLA, WOGAN, CORRIGAN, GANNON, HERSHEY, JOSEPHS,
           BOSCOLA, DeLUCA, YOUNGBLOOD, BEBKO-JONES, HENNESSEY,
           LAUGHLIN, ROBERTS, CIVERA, ROSS AND RAMOS, FEBRUARY 12, 1997

        AS REPORTED FROM TO COMMITTEE ON CONSUMER AFFAIRS, HOUSE OF
           REPRESENTATIVES, AS AMENDED, APRIL 29, 1997

                                     AN ACT

     1  Regulating tanning facilities; providing for the registration of
     2     persons operating tanning facilities; requiring that certain
     3     warnings be given and safeguards be taken; providing
     4     penalties; and making a repeal.

     5                         TABLE OF CONTENTS
     6  Section 1.  Short title.
     7  Section 2.  Legislative findings and declarations.
     8  Section 3.  Definitions.
     9  Section 4.  Registration required.
    10  Section 5.  Compliance with Federal laws and regulations.
    11  Section 6.  Warning statement required.
    12  Section 7.  Warning sign required.
    13  Section 8.  General requirements.
    14  Section 9.  Certain claims prohibited.
    15  Section 10.  Injured patrons.
    16  Section 11.  Exclusion.
    17  Section 12.  Rules and regulations.                               <--

     1  SECTION 12.  POWERS AND DUTIES OF DEPARTMENT.                     <--
     2  Section 13.  Penalty.
     3  Section 14.  Repeal.
     4  Section 15.  Effective date.
     5     The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
     6  hereby enacts as follows:
     7  Section 1.  Short title.
     8     This act shall be known and may be cited as the Tanning
     9  Facilities Act.
    10  Section 2.  Legislative findings and declarations.
    11     The General Assembly finds and declares as follows:
    12         (1)  Many physicians and scientists now warn that the
    13     risks associated with suntanning are greater when tanning
    14     with artificial ultraviolet light.
    15         (2)  These risks include, but are not limited to,
    16     sunburn, premature aging, skin cancer, retinal damage,
    17     formation of cataracts, suppression of the immune system and
    18     damage to the vascular system.
    19         (3)  Certain medications, cosmetics and foods are
    20     "photosensitizing," which means that in some people they
    21     react unfavorably with ultraviolet light to produce skin
    22     rashes or burns.
    23         (4)  Sunlamps and other artificial sources of ultraviolet
    24     light are known to intensify these effects.
    25         (5)  The creation of State law to protect and promote the
    26     public health, safety and welfare is needed concerning
    27     tanning with artificial ultraviolet light.
    28  Section 3.  Definitions.
    29     The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
    30  have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
    19970H0507B1624                  - 2 -

     1  context clearly indicates otherwise:
     2     "Department."  The Department of Health of the Commonwealth.
     3     "Phototherapy device."  Equipment that emits ultraviolet
     4  radiation used by a health care professional in the treatment of
     5  disease.
     6     "PROTECTIVE EYEWEAR."  ANY DEVICE DESIGNED TO BE WORN BY       <--
     7  USERS OF A TANNING DEVICE TO REDUCE EXPOSURE OF THE EYES TO
     8  RADIATION EMITTED BY THE DEVICE.
     9     "Tanning device."  Any equipment that emits electromagnetic    <--
    10  ULTRAVIOLET radiation with wavelengths in the air between 200     <--
    11  and 400 nanometers and that is used for tanning of the skin. The
    12  term includes, but is not limited to, a sunlamp, tanning unit,
    13  tanning booth or tanning bed. The term also includes any          <--
    14  accompanying equipment, including, but not limited to,
    15  protective eyewear, timers and handrails.
    16     "Tanning facility."  Any location, place, area, structure or
    17  business which provides persons access to any tanning device FOR  <--
    18  COMPENSATION.
    19     "TIMER."  ANY DEVICE INCORPORATED INTO A TANNING DEVICE WHICH  <--
    20  TERMINATES RADIATION EMISSION AFTER A PRESET TIME INTERVAL.
    21     "ULTRAVIOLET LAMP."  ANY LAMP WHICH PRODUCES ULTRAVIOLET
    22  RADIATION IN THE WAVELENGTH INTERVAL OF 200 TO 400 NANOMETERS IN
    23  AIR AND WHICH IS INTENDED FOR USE IN TANNING DEVICES.
    24     "ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION."  ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION WITH
    25  WAVELENGTHS IN AIR BETWEEN 200 TO 400 NANOMETERS.
    26  Section 4.  Registration required.
    27     (A)  REGISTRATION OF TANNING FACILITIES.--A person shall not   <--
    28  operate a tanning facility without first having registered with
    29  the department. Registration shall be renewed annually.
    30  Applications for registration and renewal of registration shall
    19970H0507B1624                  - 3 -

     1  be in such form and accompanied by such fee as the department     <--
     2  may SHALL prescribe.                                              <--
     3     (B)  REGISTRATION FEES.--UNLESS CHANGED BY THE DEPARTMENT BY   <--
     4  REGULATION, THE INITIAL REGISTRATION FEE SHALL BE $35 AND THE
     5  ANNUAL REGISTRATION RENEWAL FEE SHALL BE $25.
     6  Section 5.  Compliance with Federal laws and regulations.
     7     Any tanning device used by a tanning facility shall comply
     8  with all applicable Federal laws and regulations.
     9  Section 6.  Warning statement required.
    10     A tanning facility shall give each customer a written
    11  statement warning that:
    12         (1)  Not wearing the eye protection provided to the
    13     customer by the tanning center may cause damage to the eyes.
    14         (2)  Overexposure causes burns.
    15         (3)  Repeated exposure may cause premature aging of the
    16     skin and skin cancer.
    17         (4)  Abnormal skin sensitivity or burning may be caused
    18     by certain:
    19             (i)  Foods.
    20             (ii)  Cosmetics.
    21             (iii)  Medications, including, but not limited to,
    22         the following:
    23                 (A)  Tranquilizers.
    24                 (B)  Diuretics.
    25                 (C)  Antibiotics.
    26                 (D)  High blood pressure medicines.
    27                 (E)  Birth control pills.
    28         (5)  Any person taking a prescription or over-the-counter
    29     drug should consult a physician before using a tanning
    30     device.
    19970H0507B1624                  - 4 -

     1  Section 7.  Warning sign required.
     2     A tanning facility shall post a warning sign in any area
     3  where a tanning device is used. The sign shall read as follows:
     4                   DANGER:  ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION
     5         1.  Follow instructions.
     6         2.  Avoid too frequent or too lengthy exposure. As with
     7         natural sunlight, exposure can cause eye and skin injury
     8         and allergic reactions. Repeated exposure may cause
     9         chronic sun damage characterized by wrinkling, dryness,
    10         fragility and bruising of the skin and may cause skin
    11         cancer.
    12         3.  Wear protective eyewear.
    13         FAILURE TO USE PROTECTIVE EYEWEAR MAY RESULT IN SEVERE
    14         BURNS OR LONG-TERM INJURY TO THE EYES.
    15         4.  Ultraviolet radiation from sun lamps will aggravate
    16         the effects of the sun. Therefore, do not sunbathe before
    17         or after exposure to ultraviolet radiation.
    18         5.  Medications or cosmetics may increase your
    19         sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation. Consult a physician
    20         before using a sunlamp if you are using medications, have
    21         a history of skin problems or believe you are especially
    22         sensitive to sunlight. Pregnant women or women on birth
    23         control pills who use this product may develop discolored
    24         skin.
    25         IF YOU DO NOT TAN IN THE SUN, YOU WILL NOT TAN FROM USE
    26         OF THIS DEVICE.
    27  Section 8.  General requirements.
    28     (a)  Tanning facilities.--A tanning facility shall:
    29         (1)  Have an operator present during operating hours who
    30     is sufficiently knowledgeable in the correct operation of the
    19970H0507B1624                  - 5 -

     1     tanning devices used at the facility so that he or she is
     2     able to inform and assist each customer in the proper use of
     3     the tanning devices.
     4         (2)  Before each use of a tanning device, provide each
     5     customer with properly sanitized protective eyewear that
     6     protects the eyes from ultraviolet radiation and allows
     7     adequate vision to maintain balance; and not allow a person
     8     to use a tanning device if that person does not use the
     9     protective eyewear.
    10         (3)  Show each customer how to use suitable physical
    11     aids, such as handrails and markings on the floor, to
    12     maintain proper exposure distance as recommended by the
    13     manufacturer.
    14         (4)  Use a timer that has an accuracy of plus or minus
    15     10% of any selected timer interval.
    16         (5)  Limit each customer to the maximum exposure time as
    17     recommended by the manufacturer.
    18         (6)  Control the interior temperature of a tanning
    19     facility so that it does not exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
    20     (b)  Persons using tanning facilities.--
    21         (1)  Every person who uses a tanning facility shall sign
    22     a written statement acknowledging that he or she has read and
    23     understood the warnings UNDER SECTIONS 6 AND 7 before using    <--
    24     the device and agrees to use the protective eyewear that the
    25     tanning facility provides. The statement of acknowledgment
    26     shall be retained by the tanning facility until the end of
    27     the calendar year, at which time each person who is a current
    28     customer of the facility shall be required to renew that
    29     acknowledgment.
    30         (2)  Whenever using a tanning device, a person shall use
    19970H0507B1624                  - 6 -

     1     the protective eyewear that the tanning facility provides.
     2         (3)  Before any person between 14 and 18 years of age
     3     uses a tanning device, he or she shall give the tanning
     4     facility a statement, signed by his or her parent or legal
     5     guardian, stating that the parent or legal guardian has read
     6     and understood the warnings given by the tanning facility,
     7     consents to the minor's use of a tanning device and agrees
     8     that the minor will use the protective eyewear that the
     9     tanning facility provides.
    10         (4)  A person 14 years of age or younger shall be
    11     accompanied by a parent or legal guardian when using a
    12     tanning device.
    13         (5)  Before any person uses a tanning device in a tanning
    14     facility, he shall complete a form prescribed by the
    15     department, listing all prescriptions and over-the-counter
    16     medications currently being taken. The facility shall advise
    17     the customer in writing of those medications which are
    18     photosensitive, in accordance with a listing provided by the
    19     department, prior to permitting the use of a tanning device.
    20  Section 9.  Certain claims prohibited.
    21     A tanning facility shall not claim or distribute promotional
    22  materials that claim that using a tanning device is safe or free
    23  from risk.
    24  Section 10.  Injured patrons.
    25     (a)  Reports.--If a patron is injured and, whereupon, he or
    26  she must seek medical attention, a tanning facility shall do the
    27  following:
    28         (1)  Report any injury to the department.
    29         (2)  Send a copy of the injury report to the person who
    30     is injured.
    19970H0507B1624                  - 7 -

     1         (3)  Send a copy of the injury report to the Federal Food
     2     and Drug Administration.
     3     (b)  Liability.--The liability of a tanning facility operator  <--
     4  or a manufacturer of a tanning device is not changed by giving
     5  the warning under this act.
     6     (B)  LIABILITY.--NOTHING IN THIS ACT SHALL BE CONSTRUED TO     <--
     7  DIMINISH ANY RIGHT OF RECOVERY BY A CONSUMER WHICH EXISTS UNDER
     8  ANY OTHER STATUTE OR JUDICIAL DECISION.
     9  Section 11.  Exclusion.
    10     This act does not apply to a phototherapy device used by or
    11  under the direct supervision of a licensed physician who is
    12  trained in the use of phototherapy devices.
    13  Section 12.  Rules and regulations.                               <--
    14  SECTION 12.  POWERS AND DUTIES OF DEPARTMENT.                     <--
    15     (A)  REGULATIONS.--The department shall promulgate
    16  regulations providing for:
    17         (1)  Adequate training of tanning device operators.
    18         (2)  Proper sanitation of tanning equipment to prevent
    19     skin disease transmissions.
    20         (3)  Regulation of solar simulator bulbs as measured by a  <--
    21     spectroradiometer. No bulb exceeding 4.6% ultraviolet B or
    22     emitting a wave length below 290 nanometers or less than 320
    23     nanometers shall be permitted for use in a tanning facility.
    24         (4) (3)  Additional rules and regulations as it may deem   <--
    25     necessary to carry out the provisions of this act.
    26     (B)  USE OF GUIDELINES.--IN ORDER TO FACILITATE THE PROMPT     <--
    27  IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS ACT, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL HAVE THE POWER
    28  AND AUTHORITY TO PROMULGATE, ADOPT AND USE GUIDELINES TO
    29  IMPLEMENT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT. SUCH GUIDELINES SHALL BE
    30  PUBLISHED IN THE PENNSYLVANIA BULLETIN. THE GUIDELINES SHALL NOT
    19970H0507B1624                  - 8 -

     1  BE SUBJECT TO REVIEW PURSUANT TO SECTION 205 OF THE ACT OF JULY
     2  31, 1968 (P.L.769, NO.240), REFERRED TO AS THE COMMONWEALTH
     3  DOCUMENTS LAW, SECTIONS 204(B) AND 301(10) OF THE ACT OF OCTOBER
     4  15, 1980 (P.L.950, NO.164), KNOWN AS THE COMMONWEALTH ATTORNEYS
     5  ACT, OR THE ACT OF JUNE 25, 1982 (P.L.633, NO.181), KNOWN AS THE
     6  REGULATORY REVIEW ACT, AND SHALL BE EFFECTIVE FOR A PERIOD OF
     7  NOT MORE THAN TWO YEARS FROM THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS ACT.
     8  AFTER THE EXPIRATION OF THE TWO-YEAR PERIOD, THE GUIDELINES
     9  SHALL EXPIRE AND SHALL BE REPLACED BY REGULATIONS WHICH SHALL
    10  HAVE BEEN PROMULGATED, ADOPTED AND PUBLISHED AS PROVIDED BY LAW.
    11     (C)  INSPECTIONS.--THE DEPARTMENT SHALL HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO
    12  PROVIDE FOR THE INSPECTION OF TANNING FACILITIES TO ENSURE
    13  COMPLIANCE WITH THIS ACT.
    14  Section 13.  Penalty.
    15     A violation of this act constitutes a misdemeanor of the
    16  third degree. Each day a violation continues constitutes a
    17  separate offense.
    18  Section 14.  Repeal.
    19     Section 14.1 of the act of May 3, 1933 (P.L.242, No.86),
    20  referred to as the Cosmetology Law, is repealed insofar as it is
    21  inconsistent with the provisions of this act.
    22  Section 15.  Effective date.
    23     This act shall take effect in 60 days.                         <--
    24     THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT AS FOLLOWS:                         <--
    25         (1)  SECTION 12 OF THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT
    26     IMMEDIATELY.
    27         (2)  THIS SECTION SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.
    28         (3)  THE REMAINDER OF THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT IN 180
    29     DAYS.

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