Published: January 13, 2009 11:23 pm      

Changes are ahead for tattoo businesses

Area health board approves ordinance for inspections.

An ordinance regulating tattoo and body piercing businesses in Howard County has been approved by the county Board of Health.

The Board of Health voted Monday to adopt an ordinance that is based on Indiana State Department of Health guidelines.

Tattoo and body piercing businesses will be required to obtain an annual permit from the Howard County Health Department and have an annual inspection of their facilities.

Board members voted to implement a $150 annual fee for the business permit and a $50 annual fee for employees.

Howard County commissioners must approve the ordinance before it goes into effect.

Board members directed James Vest, environmental coordinator for the health department, to provide a copy of the ordinance to each tattoo parlor doing business in the county.

Dr. Thomas Scherschel, chairman of the board, said few health complications have been reported from people getting a tattoo or a body piercing.

“Rarely does it get infected,” he said of the procedure.

Vest said the state sets the guidelines but doesn’t issue permits or perform inspections.

The board voted that employees will be required to get the Hepatitis B vaccination and that a “Patron’s Rights” be provided to each customer.

If passed by the commissioners, the ordinance could be implemented by June.

“This would be a good ordinance for the board to implement,” Deputy County Attorney Brian Oaks said. “It provides oversight.”

Last year employees at New Breed: The Future of Tattooing and Body Piercing and Gehennas Tattoos indicated they would support the requirement to obtain a local permit to make sure sterilization and safety procedures are being followed.

Scherschel said other local tattoo shop owners have indicated they would welcome a local ordinance to regulate the industry.

Ken de la Bastide can be reached at (765) 454-8580 or via e-mail at ken.delabastide@kokomotribune.com