HB622 Alabama 2015 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

David FaulknerRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2015

Title

Tattooing a minor, prohibited except in limited circumstances

Summary

HB622 would ban tattooing minors under 16 except for medical reasons and require parental consent for 16- to 17-year-olds, creating criminal penalties for violations.

What This Bill Does

It adds age-based rules for tattooing minors: under 16 can't be tattooed except for medical purposes; 16-17 must have written parental consent. Violating these rules would be a crime, with first offenses as Class B misdemeanors and penalties; second or later offenses as Class A misdemeanors with higher fines, plus civil fines. It also defines tattoo and sets an effective date, and notes the bill is exempt from local-funding rules under a constitutional provision.

Who It Affects

• Minors: there are age-based restrictions on tattooing (no tattooing under 16 except medical; 16-17 requires written parental consent).
• Tattoo artists/shops and parents/guardians: artists face criminal penalties and fines for violations; parents/guardians must provide written consent for 16-17-year-olds.

Key Provisions

• Defines tattoo and tattooing.
• Prohibits tattooing a minor under 16 unless for medical purposes by a licensed practitioner.
• Prohibits tattooing a minor 16-17 unless accompanied by a parent/guardian with written consent at the time of tattooing.
• First violation is a Class B misdemeanor with at least $500 fine; second/subsequent violations are Class A misdemeanors with at least $1,000 fine.
• Provides for civil fines; creates the crime of tattooing a minor child.
• Amends Amendment 621 provisions about local government expenditures; the act is exempt from those requirements because it defines a new crime.
• Effective date: first day of the third month 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

Tattooing