2013 Mississippi Code
Title 41 - PUBLIC HEALTH
Chapter 115 - TANNING FACILITIES
§ 41-115-1 - Use of tanning device at tanning facility by children under eighteen years of age

(1) As used in this section:

(a) "Tanning device" means any equipment that emits radiation used for tanning of the skin, such as a sun lamp, tanning booth or tanning bed, and includes any accompanying equipment, such as protective eyewear, timers and handrails; and

(b) "Tanning facility" means any place where a tanning device is used for a fee, membership dues, or any other compensation.

(2) A child under fourteen (14) years of age shall not use a tanning device at a tanning facility unless the child's parent or legal guardian has provided written consent to the tanning facility and the parent or guardian is physically present at the tanning facility during the entire time that the child uses a tanning device at the tanning facility. The parent or guardian shall sign the consent form in the presence of the operator of the tanning facility, and that consent may be revoked at any time by the parent or guardian. The parent or guardian shall state on the consent form his or her relationship with the child and the age of the child. If the parent or guardian revokes the consent, the child shall not use a tanning device at a tanning facility until the child's parent or legal guardian has provided additional written consent in accordance with the requirements of this subsection.

(3) A child fourteen (14) years of age or older but under eighteen (18) years of age shall not use a tanning device at a tanning facility unless the child's parent or legal guardian has provided written consent to the tanning facility. The tanning facility may accept proof of the child's age from any valid source. The parent or guardian shall sign the consent form in the presence of the operator of the tanning facility, and that consent is valid for one (1) year from the date of signature, unless the consent is revoked by the parent or guardian. The consent may be revoked at any time by the parent or guardian. The parent or guardian shall state on the consent form his or her relationship with the child and the age of the child, and shall specify the maximum number of times that the child may use a tanning device at the tanning facility during the one-year period. After the expiration of the one-year period, or if the parent or guardian revokes the consent, the child shall not use a tanning device at a tanning facility until the child's parent or legal guardian has provided additional written consent in accordance with the requirements of this subsection.

(4) Each tanning facility shall:

(a) Maintain the written consent forms of the parents or guardians for a period of not less than two (2) years, and make the forms available to law enforcement personnel for inspection upon request; and

(b) Make written, electronic or digital records showing the dates and duration of use of a tanning device at the tanning facility by children under eighteen (18) years of age, maintain those records for a period of not less than two (2) years, and make the records available to law enforcement personnel for inspection upon request.

(5) This section does not apply to a licensed health-care professional who uses a tanning device for the treatment of patients, if that use is within the lawful scope of practice of the health-care professional.