Bill to curb teen indoor tanning amended, advanced

Nebraskans younger than 16 would need a parent’s signature before using a tanning bed under a bill advanced from general file March 4.

As introduced by Omaha Sen. Jeremy Nordquist, LB132 would prohibit tanning facilities in Nebraska from allowing people younger than 18 to use tanning equipment. The prohibition would apply to sun lamps, tanning booths and tanning beds.

Nordquist said he introduced the bill to lower the risk of skin cancer among young adults in Nebraska.

A Health and Human Services Committee amendment, adopted 35-0, applies the prohibition only to minors younger than 16 and would have provided an exception for individuals with a physician’s order.

Norfolk Sen. Jim Scheer offered an amendment, adopted 32-0, that replaced the physician exception with a requirement that a parent or legal guardian sign a statement at the indoor tanning facility before each use by a minor younger than 16. The statement would indicate that a parent or guardian understands the warnings provided by the facility and consents to the minor’s use of tanning equipment.

Scheer said the change would ensure that parents’ rights are respected while still protecting young Nebraskans.

“This should be a compromise that everyone can live with,” he said.

Nordquist supported the amendment, saying he hoped that discussion of the bill would increase parents’ awareness of the dangers of indoor tanning.

“I think it’s a reasonable approach to require a parent to be there every time and sign a statement,” he said.

The committee amendment also would require tanning facilities to post a warning sign in a conspicuous location outlining the dangers of overexposure to ultraviolet radiation. An owner or operator of a tanning facility found to be in violation of the bill’s provisions would be subject to a civil penalty of $100.

The bill also would add a tanning facility owner to the state Board of Cosmetology.

Senators voted 34-0 to advance LB132 to select file.