Contact: Scott Holste, (573) 751-0290
Channing Ansley, (573) 751-0290
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 5, 2014
Gov. Nixon signs six bills into law
JEFFERSON CITY – Gov. Jay Nixon has signed six bills into law, including legislation requiring parental consent for minors under the age of 17 to use indoor tanning facilities.
“Making sure families understand the risks associated with indoor tanning is a common sense measure that will improve public health,” Gov. Nixon said. “Exposure to ultraviolet light from tanning beds puts children and teenagers at a much higher risk of developing skin cancer later in life, and this legislation will bring Missouri in line with the large and growing number of states taking steps to prevent cancer and protect kids.”
House Bill 1411 will improve public health by requiring annual written consent from a parent or guardian for a minor under the age of 17 to use an indoor tanning facility. Due to the significant health risks associated with exposure to ultraviolet light from tanning beds, particularly among children and teenagers, the bill is strongly supported by the medical community. Users of indoor tanning beds are 75 percent more likely than nonusers to develop melanoma, a dangerous and sometimes fatal form of skin cancer.
Gov. Nixon also signed into law:
n Senate Bill 609 and House Bill 1079, which add mutual insurance companies and life insurance policies to existing laws allowing consumers to provide insurance documentation electronically.
n Senate Bill 610, which extends consumer protections available to residential insurance policyholders against unscrupulous contractors to policyholders who own or possess commercial property.
n Senate Bill 734 and House Bill 1651, which relate to electric cooperative meetings.
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