The Daily News

North Dakota youth can no longer tan without parental permission. Those younger than 14 cannot tan at all unless the practice is prescribed by a doctor after the N.D. Senate passed stricter tanning requirements Monday.

The tanning legislation requires salons to warn customers about the hazards of indoor tanning, including information about the need to wear eye protection and to avoid too much exposure. It says tanning salons must follow sanitary practices and keep records of how often the bulbs in their tanning beds are changed.

Senators approved the measure, 38-7.

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Sen. Arden Anderson, D-Wahpeton, voted in favor of the bill simply because testimony about tanning beds causing harm was presented. "Sometimes non-adults may have sensitive skin and a parent knows it," Anderson said.

Anderson isn't quite sure about the amendment prohibiting those younger than 14, but feels the Legislature should give the issue time to see whether it works. The bill can be amended in two years when the Legislature convenes in 2009 if issues crop up after implementation.

Rep. John Wall, R-Wahpeton, voted for stricter controls when the issue was before the House. He was convinced by strong testimony about how tanning beds have the potential to cause skin cancer, Wall said. He received mixed correspondence from District 25 constituents on this issue. Some parents wrote about wanting to protect their children from direct exposure to ultraviolet rays, others were against the government dictatorial stance and taking away their rights as parents.

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