HB179 Alabama 2013 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Ron Johnson

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2013

Title

Tanning facilities, use regulated, penalties

Summary

HB179 would regulate tanning facilities by requiring safety notices, age restrictions, warnings, and penalties for violations.

What This Bill Does

It creates rules for tanning facilities, including requiring written notices to customers about risks before first use and annually, and mandatory warning signs in tanning areas. It requires customers to sign a statement before their first tanning use each year and to wear protective eye wear, while facilities must keep records of signed statements for the past three years. Violations would be treated as misdemeanors with fines, and the Department of Public Health would provide standardized warnings and post forms online; the law would take effect six months after passage. It also notes that the bill is exempt from local funding vote requirements due to defining a crime.

Who It Affects

• Tanning facility owners and operators — must display warnings, provide notices, obtain yearly signed acknowledgments from customers, and maintain three-year records; can be fined for violations.
• People who use tanning devices — must read notices, sign the yearly acknowledgment, wear protective eye wear, and may be prohibited from using tanning devices if under 18.

Key Provisions

• Owners must provide written notice of tanning risks to each customer before first use and at the start of each year, describing eye damage, skin burns, aging, and cancer risks, plus medication interactions.
• Warning signs must be displayed in tanning areas (at least 11 x 17 inches) with clear instructions, eye protection requirements, and cautions about medication sensitivity.
• No one under 18 may use tanning devices; users must sign a statement before first tanning of the year and wear protective eye wear; facilities must keep signed statements for three years.
• Violations are misdemeanors with fines: up to $200 for the first violation and up to $500 for subsequent violations.
• The Department of Public Health will adopt the warning language and post it online, and the act becomes effective six months after passage.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Crimes and Offenses