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Minors need written consent for tattoos
Under a new law, persons under the age of 18 are prohibited from getting a tattoo without the written consent of the parent or legal guardian.
Acting governor Francisco Borja signed last week Senate Bill 19-5, HD2, which sets a fine of not more than $1,000 to those convicted of unlawfully tattooing a minor.
The new law mandates “consent of a minor’s parent or legal guardian” to mean the present of a parent or legal guardian during the performance of the tattoo—after—the parent or legal guardian has provided identification and proof of familial relationship, and a written permission signed by the parent of legal guardian to authorize the tattoo.
The bill states that tattoos are a form of art with which one expresses themselves but that minors “may not be mature enough to make such a decision” and may be left with “permanent scars on their bodies and potentially be exposed to infectious disease if tattooed.”
“It is highly inappropriate for any person under the age of eighteen to be covered in tattoo,” the bill states.
“A minor’s future career may also be affected by tattoos if they plan to join the U.S. military,” it adds.
