Senate gives preliminary nod to teen tanning bill

The Senate on Monday gave unanimous preliminary approval to a measure that would require Utah teenagers to get their parents' permission before visiting the tanning salon.

Several skin cancer victims spoke in favor of SB52, sponsored by Sen. Pat Jones, D-Holladay. One even suggested tighter regulations than the bill imposes.

"We need to pass this bill, then we need to watch it close. Then we need to probably come back and tighten it up next year," said Sen. Chris Buttars, R-West Jordan, who has had several skin cancer occurrences in the past five years.

"This is a chance for us to reduce a very deadly disease," Jones said.

SB52 would require parents to personally visit tanning salons every 12 months and sign a consent form for their children. It also allows them to specify the number of tanning sessions allowed in each yearlong period.

Davis County already requires parental consent, but health officials say teens often skirt the regulation by crossing county lines. Jones' bill attempts to avoid that by imposing statewide regulations, although ones that are less restrictive than the current county ordinance.

The Senate will vote one more time on SB52.