07 LC 36
0594
House
Resolution 425
By:
Representatives Drenner of the
86th
and Benfield of the
85th
A
RESOLUTION
Creating
the House Study Committee on Tanning Salon Consumer Protection; and for other
purposes.
WHEREAS,
every year more than one million people are diagnosed with skin cancer in the
United States; and
WHEREAS,
the UVA rays that are emitted from the ultraviolet A light sources in tanning
salons are two to three times more powerful than the UVA rays which occur
naturally from the sun; and
WHEREAS,
forms of photosensitivity including drug reactions and sun poisoning may be
initiated by tanning salon exposure; and
WHEREAS,
over time, the effects of too much UVA exposure can lead to eye damage, immune
system changes, cataracts, wrinkles and premature aging of the skin, and skin
cancers; and
WHEREAS,
approximately 90 percent of all skin cancers can be traced to UV exposure;
and
WHEREAS,
most "nonmelanoma" skin cancers are caused by unprotected sun exposure in
childhood and adolescence, specifically ultraviolet or UVA and UVB rays, and
research shows that bulbs at tanning salons emit ultraviolet rays;
and
WHEREAS,
melanoma is now the fastest growing cancer in the country, and dermatologists
associate the rising popularity of tanning beds as one reason for this trend;
and
WHEREAS,
studies suggest that teenagers believe that they are avoiding skin damage using
tanning beds, however, according to Atlanta dermatologic surgeon, Dr. Darren
Casey, ten trips to the tanning bed doubles your risk of melanoma;
and
WHEREAS,
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports an estimated 700
emergency department visits per year are related to problems from tanning salon
exposure; and
WHEREAS,
University of Alabama at Birmingham dermatologists cite the following factors as
making tanning in a salon as bad as or worse than lying in the sun: (1) Tanning
facilities sometimes fail to follow recommendations and regulations, such as
ensuring that customers wear eye protection and that overexposure does not
occur; and (2) Tanning facilities do not calibrate the UVA output of their
tanning bulbs which can lead to too much exposure; and
WHEREAS,
15 states have passed laws regarding the operation of tanning facilities
including regulating safety and increasing the awareness of the dangers
associated with tanning booths; and
WHEREAS,
Georgia is tied for tenth with Virginia for the most number of new cases of
melanomas each year; and
WHEREAS,
more than 28 million Americans patronize tanning salons each year with young
women constituting the fastest-growing group of users; and
WHEREAS,
a study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology found that many young
women who tanned in salons at least ten times a year had seven times the
melanoma incidence of nonusers; and
WHEREAS,
tanning salons are not presently licensed in Georgia, and, in fact, there is no
mechanism currently in place to determine how many tanning salons even exist
within this state.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that there is created
the House Study Committee on Tanning Salon Consumer Protection to be composed of
not more than six members to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of
Representatives. Four members of the House of Representatives shall serve as
members of the committee, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall
designate one of such members as chairperson. The chairperson shall call all
meetings of the committee. The Speaker of the House of Representatives shall
appoint two additional members, a board certified dermatologist and a
representative of the tanning salon industry.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the committee shall undertake a study of the
conditions, needs, issues, and problems mentioned above or related thereto and
recommend any actions or legislation which the committee deems necessary or
appropriate. The committee may conduct such meetings at such places and at such
times as it may deem necessary or convenient to enable it to exercise fully and
effectively its powers, perform its duties, and accomplish the objectives and
purposes of this resolution. The legislative members of the committee shall
receive the allowances provided for in Code Section 28-1-8 of the Official Code
of Georgia Annotated. All funds necessary to carry out the provisions of this
resolution shall come from funds appropriated to the House of Representatives.
The expenses and allowances authorized by this resolution shall not be received
by any member of the committee for more than five days unless additional days
are authorized. In the event the committee makes a report of its findings and
recommendations, with suggestions for proposed legislation, if any, such report
shall be made on or before December 15, 2007. The committee shall stand
abolished on December 15, 2007.