Vermont became the second state to pass a law prohibiting tanning bed use for minors!

No. 97. An act relating to restrictions on tanning beds.
It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont: Sec. 1. 18 V.S.A. § 1513 is added to read: § 1513. TANNING FACILITIES; MINORS; PENALTY

The law will allow for a

• $100 penalty for 1st infraction and
• not more than $500 for subsequent - this is a significant reduction from the original bill which started at $500 for the first up to $1000 for subsequent

Some disadvantages

• There does not appear to be any provision for inspection for compliance
• No specific wording about appropriate ID
• The law seems to rely on individuals reporting infractions to "local law enforcement"

The oversight responsibility falls to the commissioner of health

• shall adopt such rules as are necessary to carry out the provisions of this section

After passing in both the VT House and Senate, it was presented to the Governor on 4/26/2012. From news reports we hear that Governor Shumlin will allow it to pass, but without his signature

• In one news story it says he agrees with the law, but cannot sign it because it does not allocate any resources for the Health Department to enforce it.
• This report also states that the Governor said that it would be more effective to educate consumers about the risks of tanning.

Now it is our job to do the educating.

In 2012 a total of 19 states had various Bills introduced to prohibit minors from tanning. In seven states that proposed Bills have failed. In Eleven states, the bills are still alive: CT, IL, MI, MN, NC, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, and RI. But we hear from our colleagues at The American Academy of Dermatology Association that only a few still have chance to pass in this legislative session: 

MI
o HB 5276
o Sponsor Jim Townsend, Democrat, Minority
o Status: Referred to Committee on Regulatory Reform 1/25/12

NC
o SB 471
o Sponsor: William Purcell, Democrat, Minority
o Status: Re-referred to Commerce Committee 5/12/11; awaiting prioritization by Child Fatality

NJ
o A 2142
o Sponsor: Ralph Caputo, D, Majority
o Status: Favorable report by Assembly Women and Children Committee 5/14/2012
o S1172
o Sponsor: Loretta Weinberg, D, Majority
o Status: Referred to Senate Health, Human Services and Senior citizens Committee

NY
o S2917
o Sponsor: Fushchillo, R, Majority
o Status: awaiting vote on senate floor 2/7/12
o A1074
o Sponsor: Weisenberg, D, Majority
o Status: Passed Assembly 2nd time; referred to Senate Health Committee for 2nd time
 

OH
o HB119
o Sponsor: C Combs, R, Majority
o Status: Referred to House Committee on Health and Aging 2/23/11

RI
o S2322
o Sponsor: Perry, D, Majority
o Status: Passed House
o H7825
o Sponsor: Eileen Naughton, D, Majority
o Status: House Health Education and Welfare Committee recommended hold for further study 4/4/12

Please take the time to let your legislators know how you feel about allowing children to tan in your state! Some good points to bring up are found in our State Advocacy Fact Sheet.