Idaho Tattoo Laws

SENATE BILL NO. 1281
BY JUDICIARY AND RULES COMMITTEE

AN ACT

RELATING TO TATTOOING, BRANDING AND BODY PIERCING OF MINORS; AMENDING CHAPTER 3 15, TITLE 18, IDAHO CODE, BY THE ADDITION OF A NEW SECTION 18-1523, IDAHO 4 CODE, TO DEFINE TERMS, TO PROHIBIT CERTAIN ACTIONS ON MINORS UNDER THE AGE 5 OF FOURTEEN YEARS, TO REQUIRE THE WRITTEN INFORMED CONSENT OF A MINOR'S 6 PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN PRIOR TO THE TATTOOING, BRANDING OR BODY PIERCING 7 OF MINORS AGED FOURTEEN TO EIGHTEEN YEARS, TO REQUIRE SUCH CONSENT TO BE 8 EXECUTED IN THE PRESENCE OF CERTAIN PERSONS AND TO PROVIDE PENALTIES.

• Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Idaho:

  • SECTION 1. That Chapter 15, Title 18, Idaho Code, be, and the same is hereby amended by the addition thereto of a NEW SECTION, to be known and des- ignated as Section 18-1523, Idaho Code, and to read as follows:

    18-1523. Tattooing, Branding and Body Piercing of Minors

    1. As used in this section:
       • Body piercing: Making a hole or opening in the human body other than earlobe for putting jewelry or for other decoration.
       • Minor: A person under the age of eighteen.
       • Tattoo: A mark or design made by inserting pigment into human skin.

    2. Tattooing or performing body piercing on any minor (under the age of fourteen) is unlawful. Nobody shall knowingly do this.

    3. For performing tattooing or body piercing on the minor between fourteen to eighteen age groups, each tattooist shall obtain permission from minor's parents or relevant guardians.

    4. In violation this section, a person is responsible for misdemeanor and punished to pay at most $500.