The Town of Needham Board of Health reviewed proposed amendments to several public-health regulations and directed staff to incorporate town-counsel feedback before formal adoption.

Staff said town counsel recommended removing a provision in the body‑art regulation that referenced pending state legislation (a restriction on certain piercings for minors). Counsel advised against citing pending legislation and recommended either waiting for state law or adopting a local determination if the board chooses to act. Staff also proposed rescinding Article 6 and relying on an expanded public-health-nuisance provision in Article 3, supplemented by the board’s variance process to retain enforcement flexibility.

Board members discussed whether to reference the town bylaw fine schedule (so future bylaw changes automatically apply) or to retain direct citation of the state‑allowed maximum fine (up to $1,000). Members generally favored preserving an option for higher fines in egregious cases while aligning routine penalties with the town schedule; staff will ask town counsel for recommended language and return clean versions.

Members noted inquiries from prospective microblading and body‑art storefront operators and supported adding clear requirements for apprenticeships and updated citations to current state regulations. The board voted to keep the hearing open to accept any public comment and asked staff to present final, clean documents for a January adoption vote.