Ohio bill sets tanning rules for teens, younger kids

COLUMBUS — Teens and younger children will have to get their parents’ written permission to use tanning beds under law changes OK’d by the Ohio Senate on Thursday.

HB 131 passed on a vote of 26-4 and heads back to the Ohio House for concurrence on amendments.

The legislation would require consent forms for anyone using “fluorescent sun lamp tanning services at a tanning facility,” according to an analysis by the state’s Legislative Service Commission.

Adults (those 18 or older) could sign the forms themselves one time. Tanning business customers 16 or 17 would need to have a parent or legal guardian sign in person at the business.

Children younger than 16 would require consent forms signed by a parent or legal guardian in person for each tanning session, and the latter would have to remain at the business during the session.