Update on legislation

It's been a while since I've updated this blog because the meetings are less formal now and unfortunately that means that they done' take minutes and send them to us anymore.
For the last few months the advisory board members including myself have re-written the legislation that passed last year to be more clear and fair. The DOL asked a senator to sponsor the new re-write and he agreed. Then when they presented it to him he stated that he had some concerns and would not sponsor it this year.
What this means is that the current bill will stand this year. It requires licensing but does not have any licensing requirements. As of July 2010 all body artists will need to simply pay for their body artists licenses to obtain one. This may sound like they just want our money but the money collected for licenses will go directly into our program and it is illegal for them to put it into the general fund. Our money will pay for our program and nothing else. We are continuing to refine the re-write the bill and will be presenting it next year with another senator as a sponsor. If passed this bill will have requirements, grandfathering, temporary licensing and health and safety rules. We will be sending out information as it comes to light and will be asking for everyone's help once the bill hits the floor of the House next year. if you have any questions please let me or the other advisory board members know and we will do our best to answer you. In my opinion it would be best to contact your representatives when we have a unified statement in place and not before. If the industry appears fragmented or unprofessional they will be less likely to listen to us. Talking badly about senators could cost us votes next year so please refrain from that as well. We will be drafting a statement and sending it out as soon as we can. If you want to be on my email list please let me know at christy@damasktattoo.com or gettat2dbyme2gmail.com

Draft rules for Dep. of Health

You can comment on the rules that where drafted by the Department of Health before they go into affect. We went over them with a fine tooth comb at the advisory board meetings and we're fairly satisfied. These will go into affect in July of 2010.


The period of time to comment on the Department of Health’s Draft Rules has been extended to March 8, 2010.



Comments can be posted directly to their web comment site at the following address: https://fortress.wa.gov/doh/policyreview/AddComment.aspx?ID=596





For your convenience, use the attached link to access the Draft Rules that were originally sent out on February 18, 2010:



https://fortress.wa.gov/doh/policyreview/Documents/Draft246145WACbodyartpiercingtattoing.pdf







Cameron Dalmas

Administrative Assistant to:

Trudie Touchette & Susan Colard

Washington State Department of Licensing

Business and Professions Division

Professional Licensing Support Services

PO Box 9026

Olympia, WA 98507

360 664-6643 Phone

360 664-2550 Fax

ndalmas@dol.wa.gov

MS: 48051