DES MOINES, Iowa — By a vote of 81 to 13, with six lawmakers not voting, Iowa House members voted through a bill requiring parental consent for minors using tanning beds in the state.

The bipartisan vote stemmed from the legislative body’s concern about increasing cancer rates in the state.

“Iowa, second highest rates of cancer, only state with a growing cancer rate, fifth highest rates of melanoma, 1,600 melanomas per year. We are one of only six states without any restrictions on this issue,” said State Representative Josh Turek (D) District 20, from Council Bluffs.

The National Cancer Institute says over half of new cancer among adolescents and young adults is melanoma. The institute also stated that it’s the third most common cancer type across 20 to 29-year-old,s as well as 30 to 39-year-olds.

The Skin Cancer Foundation says that you have a 75% greater risk of getting melanoma if you use a tanning bed before the age of 35.

The bill states that no one in the state under the age of 18 can use a tanning device unless the parent or guardian provides written consent to the tanning facility. There is a written statement that is included into the bill that must be used in the written consent.

The bill sponsor told reporters on Monday that a lot of tanning salons already require parental consent for minors to use the equipment. He said that it’s for other scenarios where tanning devices are made available.

“The parents will have to be able to walk in and see literature that tells them this is not safe for your kid. The reason you see this coming up, because most of the tanning salons right now, their facilities there are doing it, but it’s the facilities that don’t do it,” said State Representative Hans Wilz (R) District 25, from Ottumwa. “People that charge for tanning, whether it’s a subscription, whether it’s to an apartment, a rental.”

The bill now heads over to the Iowa Senate chamber for further consideration.

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