Committee moves to 'due pass' on bill modernizing body art licensing rules; vote 5‑1

Julie Wagendorf, food and lodging unit director at the Department of Health and Human Services, described House Bill 10 71 as a department request to put definitions and enforcement provisions about tattooing, body piercing, branding, subdermal implants and scarification into statute and to replace the term “permit” with “license.”

Wagendorf told the committee the changes move existing administrative‑code language into the Century Code to improve transparency and reduce legal challenges, and that the penalty for operating without a license remains a class B misdemeanor. She said the bill clarifies inspection authority, renewal procedures and the department’s remedial options, including cease‑and‑desist orders and discipline.

Senator Powers asked why inspectors would need access to customer records. Wagendorf said client records help verify parental consent for minors and document medical conditions (for example, diabetes or blood disorders) that would affect safe provision of body art services.

Wagendorf said plan reviews and pre‑operational inspections are typically turned around in a few weeks but the department requests about a 30‑day window depending on workload and volume of applications.

A motion to give the bill a due‑pass recommendation was made and seconded on the committee floor. The clerk recorded a roll call: Senators Wabamah, Axman, Larson and Bosche voted yes; Senator Powers voted no. The committee approved a due pass on House Bill 10 71 by a 5‑1 vote.

Senator Larson agreed to carry the bill in the Senate if the committee advanced it.