Committee votes to introduce teen tanning bill | News

A bill that would ban teens younger than 16 from using tanning beds is back in the Idaho Legislature.

On Monday, the House Health and Welfare committee introduced the measure. which would also require parental consent for 16 and 17-year-olds.

Idaho Medical Association lobbyist Ken McClure says tanning poses a serious health concern to young people and heightens risk for skin cancer. Under the bill, violators would be charged with a misdemeanor and fined up to $100.

A similar proposal that barred anyone under 15 from tanning and required parental consent for older teens died in the Senate last year.

That legislation had support from medical professionals but was panned by tanning industry representatives who argued parents -- not the government -- should regulate their children's behavior.