Res. No. 1401
Resolution calling on the Governor to sign A10095/S7446, which would permit the body piercing of minors only with written parental consent.
By Council Members Vallone, Koo, Koslowitz, Williams, Wills and Halloran
Whereas, New York State currently requires parental consent prior to tattooing anyone under the age of 18; and
Whereas, In contrast, there is currently no minimum age requirement for body piercing, which the Public Health Law defines as the piercing of any part of the body except the ears, although some individual stores may set their own age limits; and
Whereas, A10095/S7446 would prohibit a body piercing studio from piercing a minor unless such studio has received written consent from a parent or guardian and would require the studio to retain the written consent form for twelve months; and
Whereas, The memorandum in support of the legislation reports that more than one-third of those with body piercings receiving such piercing while still a minor; and
Whereas, Recent news reports, including one aired on CBS New York on June 14, 2012, report that at some piercing studios in New York City, fifty percent of body piercing customers are minors; and
Whereas, Infection is a common complication of mouth and nose piercings, due to an excess of bacteria in those locations; and
Whereas, Tongue, lip and cheek piercings may damage teeth and gums over time and are thus opposed by the American Dental Association; and
Whereas, According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the use of contaminated or non-sterile piercing equipment may cause exposure to bloodborne pathogens, including Hepatitis B or C or HIV; and
Whereas, Some pre-existing health conditions, including diabetes, hemophilia or auto-immune disorders may interfere with the healing process; and
Whereas; Parents and guardians should be aware of these potential health risks and other concerns associated with body piercings; and
Whereas, The Association of Professional Piercers, an industry group, recommends that piercers receive written parental consent prior to piercing anyone under eighteen; and
Whereas, Thirty-one states currently prohibit body piercing of minors without parental permission; and
Whereas, A10095/S7446 passed both the Assembly and the Senate in June 2012; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls on the Governor to enact A10095/S7446, which would permit the body piercing of minors only with written parental consent.
LCC
LS 3605
6/19/12