PSNA Applauds Signing of Tanning Bed Legislation

HB 1259, Tanning Beds and Tanning Facilities, was signed into law by Governor Corbett on May 6, 2014. The Pennsylvania State Nurses Association, representing more than 212,000 registered nurses in Pennsylvania, strongly supported HB 1259.

Now Act 41 of 2014, sponsored by Representative Frank Farry (R-142), this bill requires tanning facilities to register with the Pennsylvania Department of Health. Tanning facilities must place warning signs at their facilities and requires federal certification of tanning devices. No one less than 17 years of age shall be allowed to use a tanning facility and those 17 years of age must obtain written parental consent to use the facility.

“Nurses are a leading voice for patient safety and policy change,” states PSNA Chief Executive Officer Betsy M. Snook, MEd, BSN, RN. “Research shows that indoor ultraviolet tanning is a major public health issue. Fifty-five percent of college students have used indoor ultraviolet tanners and more than 419,000 new skin cancers are attributed to indoor tanning each year. This legislation takes a positive step in protecting young people from the unhealthy effects of tanning.”

The Pennsylvania State Nurses Association (PSNA) is the non-profit voice for nurses in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Representing more than 212,000 nurses, the Association works to be essential in advancing, promoting and supporting the profession of nursing to improve health for all in the Commonwealth. PSNA is a constituent member of the American Nurses Association (www.panurses.org).

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