2018 Utah Code
Title 76 - Utah Criminal Code
Chapter 10 - Offenses Against Public Health, Safety, Welfare, and Morals
Part 22 - Public Health Offenses
Section 2201 - Unlawful body piercing and tattooing of a minor -- Penalties.

Universal Citation: UT Code § 76-10-2201 (2018)
76-10-2201. Unlawful body piercing and tattooing of a minor -- Penalties.
  • (1) As used in this section:
    • (a) "Body piercing" means the creation of an opening in the body, excluding the ear, for the purpose of inserting jewelry or other decoration.
    • (b) "Consent of a minor's parent or legal guardian" means the presence of a parent or legal guardian during the performance of body piercing or tattooing upon the minor after the parent or legal guardian has provided:
      • (i) reasonable proof of personal identity and familial relationship; and
      • (ii) written permission signed by the parent or legal guardian authorizing the performance of body piercing or tattooing upon the minor.
    • (c) "Minor" means a person younger than 18 years of age who:
      • (i) is not married; and
      • (ii) has not been declared emancipated by a court of law.
    • (d) "Tattoo" means to fix an indelible mark or figure upon the body by inserting a pigment under the skin or by producing scars.
  • (2) A person is guilty of unlawful body piercing of a minor if the person performs or offers to perform a body piercing:
    • (a) upon a minor;
    • (b) without receiving the consent of the minor's parent or legal guardian; and
    • (c) for remuneration or in the course of a business or profession.
  • (3) A person is guilty of unlawful tattooing of a minor if the person performs or offers to perform a tattooing:
    • (a) upon a minor;
    • (b) without receiving the consent of the minor's parent or legal guardian; and
    • (c) for remuneration or in the course of a business or profession.
  • (4) A person is not guilty of Subsection (2) or (3), if the person:
    • (a) has no actual knowledge of the minor's age; and
    • (b) reviews, photocopies, and retains the photocopy of an apparently valid driver license or other government-issued picture identification for the minor that expressly purports that the minor is 18 years of age or older before the person performs the body piercing or tattooing.
  • (5)
    • (a) A person who violates Subsection (2) or (3) is guilty of a class B misdemeanor.
    • (b) The owner or operator of a business in which a violation of Subsection (2) or (3) occurs is subject to a civil penalty of $1,000 for each violation.


Amended by Chapter 329, 2013 General Session
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