House OKs bill banning Kansas teens from using tanning beds
A bill banning children and teens from using tanning beds at tanning salons was approved by the House and sent to the governor on Saturday.
HB 2456 passed Saturday on a 71-42 vote after a debate airing concerns over potential long-term effects of bed tanning, specifically an elevated risk of skin cancer, versus worries that the bill usurps parental authority.
Rep. Dan Hawkins, R-Wichita, carried the measure on the floor and said it was necessary to protect young people under 18 from bad tanning decisions that could haunt them later.
He said he was convinced by testimony from women “who tanned extensively in their youth and are now in their 30s and 40s experiencing melanoma (skin cancer) at a very high rate.”
Rep. Brett Hildabrand, R-Shawnee, spoke against the bill, saying the decision on bed tanning for youths should be up to the parents.
“Even ultra-liberal states like Oregon and Washington allow parental consent and medical exceptions,” Hildabrand said. “So this is not limited government and we would be to the left of Oregon and Washington.”
Salons that violate the tanning ban would be liable for a $250 fine for each violation.
Dion Lefler: 316-268-6527, @DionKansas
How they voted
Here’s how south-central Kansas lawmakers voted on HB 2456, to prohibit children and teens from using tanning beds at tanning salons. It passed 71-42.
Democrats voting yes: All area Democrats voted yes, except for Ponka-We Victors of Wichita, who was absent.
Republicans voting yes: Daniel Hawkins, Les Osterman, Wichita; Steven Becker, Buhler; Jan Pauls, Hutchinson; Don Schroeder, Hesston
Republicans voting no: Steve Anthimides, Dennis Hedke, Mark Hutton, Mark Kahrs, Joseph Scapa, Gene Suellentrop, Chuck Weber, John Whitmer, Wichita; Blake Carpenter, Derby; Will Carpenter, El Dorado; Pete DeGraaf, Mulvane; Kyle Hoffman, Coldwater; Steve Huebert, Valley Center; Les Mason, McPherson; Marc Rhoades, Newton; Joe Seiwert, Pretty Prairie; Jack Thimesch, Cunningham
Republicans absent: Mario Goico, Wichita; Kasha Kelley, Arkansas City, Virgil Peck, Tyro; Kristey Williams, Augusta
This story was originally published April 30, 2016 at 1:06 PM with the headline "House OKs bill banning Kansas teens from using tanning beds."