INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana lawmakers are considering a bill that would require teenagers who want to be spray-tanned in the nude to be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
The bill also requires anyone under 18 to have written approval from a parent or guardian to be spray-tanned — much like the current state law that requires parental approval for minors using indoor-tanning booths.
The bill was filed by state Rep. Bruce Borders, a Republican from Jasonville, in response to an incident that occurred at a Linton, Ind., tanning salon. The salon owner, who is male, applied a spray-on suntan chemical to a nude 15-year-old girl, who had forged a permission note from her mother.
At tanning businesses in Elkhart County, no one under the age of 16 may receive the services without a parent being present, and some now require anyone under the age of 18 to have parental consent.
At Signature Tanning in Elkhart, a young person has to be 16 years and 1 day old to obtain a tanning service without parental approval.
“If they are under 16, a parent has to be with them,” explained Rebecca Carter, at Signature. She said the business’ spray tan booth was broken and the business is trying to get it repaired.
Whitney Smego, a technician at Coconut Tan and Spa, Elkhart, said the business requires parental consent for anyone under the age of 18 now for any tanning service.
“I sprayed a tan on a 9-year-old once, and the mother was present,” she said.
A clerk at a Goshen tanning salon, who did not want to be identified, said state law requires anyone under the age of 16 must have a parent present and those younger than 18 must have parental approval when signing up for tanning services initially.
During a hearing on the bill Thursday, Borders said the incident occurred during prom season and the salon owner told him he was “swamped” with teenage clients and couldn’t wait for his wife to return to apply the chemical spray.
Borders found out about the incident when the girl’s mother contacted him after she was told by police that no crime had occurred. Borders said the Indiana State Police told him the same thing.
“The current laws don’t cover this,” Borders told committee members.
The bill would prohibit anyone younger than 18 from getting a spray tan application without a written permission statement signed by a parent or guardian in the presence of the owner, operator or employee of the spray tanning business.
It also requires a parent or guardian to be present if the minor is fully or partially exposed during the spray tanning application.
Violating the law would carry a fine of up to $500 for the first offense; up to $1,000 for a second offense. No vote was taken on the bill; it’s expected to come up for a vote at a later committee hearing.
Local News
Related Photos
-
The Malibu Tanning business in Linway Plaza was open for customers on a cold and snowy Thursday evening. ROD ROWE THE GOSHEN NEWS
Spray-tanning minors would need a parent present
- Local News
-
-
Boys & Girls Club of Goshen says goodbye to longtime director Andy Purviance
It’s the end of an era at the Boys & Girls Club of Goshen. Andy Purviance, the long-time Director of the Club, will be saying good bye to the club and Goshen this fall as he and his wife Donna relocate to San Diego where Purviance will continue his career in Boys & Girls Clubs.
-
Goshen VFW Honor Guard helps send their fellow veterans to final rest
The heat of the stuffy May day is starting to gather outside of Rieth-Rohrer Funeral Home in downtown Goshen recently as members of the VFW Post 985 Honor Guard begin to shuffle inside.
-
Duty changes with birth of LaGrange soldier's son
Usually when people think of American veterans they think of men in uniform. More often today, than in yesteryear, the veteran is a woman. In tune with the times, the military has made accommodations for this increase in female recruits.
-
Fairfield graduates ready for the next step
Fairfield High School held its 44th commencement Friday night in its school gymnasium, handing out 145 diplomas.
-
Westview seniors graduate Friday night
Westview High School held its 46th commencement Friday night in its school gymnasium, handing out 97 diplomas.
-
RV shipments up in April
Wholesale shipments of recreational vehicles rose 9.8 percent in April compared to the same month in 2011.
-
UPDATE: Police release names of two killed in Bristol motorcycle crash
Two Elkhart residents were killed Friday night when the motorcycle they were riding crashed along Ind. 15 as they fled police.
-
Police probe possible fatal crash near Bristol
Elkhart County rescue crews responded to a possible double fatal traffic crash on Ind. 15 just south of C.R. 112 at 9:13 p.m. Friday night. Ind. 15 was closed to non-emergency traffic and a Samaritan medical helicopter landed at the scene to assist with rescue efforts.
-
Goshen teen who shot himself Tuesday arrested for using sawed-off gun in robbery
A 17-year-old male recently admitted to IU Health Goshen Hospital for a self-inflicted gunshot wound has been arrested in connection with the robbery of a BP gas station in Goshen this past Sunday.
-
Wild phlox can be found this time of year
Nature’s bounty can sometimes produce unexpected beauty in the form of wildflowers that can pop up anywhere and everywhere. They can be some of the most exhilarating because of the unusual colors, the delicacy of the blossoms, or simply their choice of location to grow.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Vatican in Chaos After Butler Arrested for Leaks
Jimmy Carter Endorses Egypt's Election Results
Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class
Dozens of Children Killed in New Syria Attack
Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
