Pa. moves to restrict teens’ use of tanning facilities

A Pennsylvania Senate committee has approved a bill to regulate teens’ use of indoor tanning salons.

The measure would require any minors to have a parent or guardian with them before using a tanning facility for the first time. Anyone younger than 14 would need a doctor’s written permission to use tanning beds.

In February, the American Academy of Pediatrics called for all tanning booths to ban minors. Sen. Pat Browne, a Lehigh County Republican and the bill’s sponsor, said he doesn’t think an outright ban is necessary.

“I think we can trust families to make the appropriate decision. I believe that better empowering parents to monitor the use of these facilities by their children and allowing that to happen is the way to go,” said Browne. Most “states have gone in this direction and have seen success with that.”

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, at least 31 states regulate indoor tanning by minors. California bans all minors from using tanning beds.

Browne’s bill also calls for licensing fees and inspections of all indoor tanning facilities.