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Sponsored by Sen. Edward Maloney, D-Chicago, and Rep. Patricia
Bellock, R-Westmont, the new law was an initiative of the Illinois
Coalition of Community Blood Centers. "Every two seconds, someone
in the United States needs blood. And, even though the majority of
people can donate blood, only about 5 percent actually do. This new
law will give even more people the ability to donate blood -- and
potentially save a life," Blagojevich said.
In order to eliminate the risk of virus transmission from donor
to recipient, the American Association of Blood Banks requires
individuals who get tattoos or piercings from unregulated facilities
to wait a year before donating blood. Since Illinois currently does
not regulate the approximately 425 tattoo and body piercing
establishments that exist across the state, blood banks must turn
away individuals with piercings and tattoos.
Senate Bill 927 makes it possible for individuals with tattoos or
piercings to donate blood without a yearlong wait. According to the
new law, tattoo and body piercing facilities must fulfill health and
safety requirements, such as sterilization and sanitation
techniques, to receive certification. The new law also requires the
Illinois Department of Public Health or a designee to inspect tattoo
and body piercing parlors to ensure that they comply with state
standards. In addition, facilities must renew their registration
every year. Facilities can also apply for temporary registrations,
valid for a maximum of 14 days, for education, trade show or product
demonstration purposes.
The law allows the Department of Public Health to charge a
registration fee, suspend or deny certification, and create
penalties and fines, not exceeding $1,000 per day, for violators.
However, the bill also allows a hearing process for establishments
that have had their registration denied, suspended or revoked. Fees
and fines related to the new registration requirements will accrue
in a fund newly created by the legislation. The law requires the
Department of Public Health to issue 75 percent of the fees and
fines collected as grants to local health departments for
legislation enforcement at the local level.
"Body piercing and tattoo facilities in Illinois will now be
regulated," said Maloney. "This bill is key to protecting the health
of Illinois' citizens and a step towards encouraging more
individuals to donate blood."
"This bill is good public health policy because it encourages a
safe and adequate blood supply. It will assist in preventing the
risk of HIV and hepatitis B transmission by regulating the
sterilization of instruments used in tattooing and body piercing,"
said Bellock.
"With less than 5 percent of the population donating blood, and
an estimated 25 percent of the population having a tattoo, it has
created a great hardship for blood centers across the state. Once
the tattoo and body piercing industry is regulated by the state,
blood donated by an individual with a tattoo will still have to go
through a vigorous testing cycle, which is required by the FDA of
all blood, but blood centers will no longer have to turn people away
for an entire year. SB 927 will go a long way in helping maintain a
safe and adequate blood supply throughout the state. SB 927 not only
makes good public health policy for the blood centers but for anyone
receiving a tattoo or body piercing," said Margaret Vaughn,
government affairs coordinator for the Illinois Coalition of
Community Blood Centers.
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 "This bill is a great example of how the medical community and
our government can work together to help protect the health of our
citizens and keep the tattoo establishments as safe as possible,"
said Dr. James Herrmann, president of the Illinois Dermatological
Society.
"We are very pleased that people who now receive a tattoo from a
licensed facility will be eligible for blood donation without having
to wait one year. This legislation will allow many people who would
like to donate blood the opportunity to do so. And importantly it
will result in more blood being available for patients in need,"
said Jack Prause, chief executive officer of American Red Cross
Blood Services.
"The Illinois Association of Public Health Administrators
applauds Governor Blagojevich for signing this important piece of
legislation which protects the health of Illinois citizens as they
enjoy personal freedoms of body art and tattooing," said Alice Foss,
governmental affairs coordinator for the Illinois Association of
Public Health Administrators.
Dr. Stephen A. Martin Jr., chief operating officer of the Cook
County Department of Public Health, said he is "pleased that the
governor signed this bill, because local health departments will be
able to ensure that these establishments are maintained in a healthy
manner. The law directs a portion of the licensing fees to pay for
the inspections at the local level. Now we can help assure the
individual that tattooing and body piercing procedures are
hygienic."
Blagojevich has made public health, safety and welfare a priority
in his administration. The new bill is the latest addition to the
governor's efforts to maintain public health and safety. Previous
initiatives include these:
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Signing a law to
reduce the risk of secondhand smoke and smoking-related fires by
banning smoking in dormitories at all public and private
colleges and universities in the state.
-
Toughening the
penalties for owners of vicious and dangerous dogs if their pets
attack someone.
-
Requiring nuclear
plants to report releases of radioactive contaminants in to the
soil, surface water or groundwater.
-
Expanding lead
poisoning prevention efforts by limiting the sale of items that
have higher lead levels, restricting the application of lead
substances to common household items, expanding state
inspections of residential buildings, requiring posted
notification for lead hazards and requiring paint stores to
display informational posters about the dangers of improper
paint removal.
-
Signing a law
mandating inspections of all wholesale drug distributors before
temporary licenses are issued, ensuring that safety guidelines
are followed.
Senate Bill 927 is effective July 1, 2007.
[News release from the governor's
office] |
