Wednesday, May 23, 2007

Ear Piercing?  Seriously?

While the Democrats are trying to figure out just how much to jack up your taxes, Representative Vos wants you all to think about ear-piercing.

Take the pledge!

 

 

(4) Comments
Posted by Wendy at 0918 hrs
Politics + Politics - Wisconsin

  1. Is body piercing a state-regulated or state-licensed activity?

    Posted by scott on May 23, 2007 at 1413 hrs


  2. It looks to be licensed and regulated by the state:

    http://www.co.dane.wi.us/pdfdocs/ordinances/ord048.pdf

    And if you read the language in the above pdf, it would appear as if this measure is moot. To wit:

    48.07 DEFINITIONS. Words and phrases
    used in subchapter I have the meanings
    designated in chapter HFS 173, Wis. Admin.
    Code, unless the context clearly indicates a
    different meaning, with the following additions
    or modifications for use in this subchapter I
    only:

    (1) Body piercing includes ear piercing.

    Unfortunately, this is contradicted by the following:

    48.12 REGULATION OF TATTOOING AND
    BODY-PIERCING; CONTINUED. It shall be a
    violation of this subchapter I for any practitioner
    to:
    (1) Tattoo or body pierce a patron without first
    obtaining a signed, informed consent of the
    person on a form approved by the State of
    Wisconsin.
    (2) Body pierce a patron who is under the age
    of 16.
    (a) This subsection shall not be construed to
    prohibit ear piercing of a person under age 16
    provided that an informed consent has first
    been signed by the patron’s parent or legal
    guardian.
    (3) Body pierce a patron who is age 16 or 17
    unless an informed consent has first been
    signed by the patron’s parent or legal guardian
    in the presence of the practitioner.
    (a) An informed consent which is limited to
    ear piercing need not be signed in the presence
    of the practitioner.

    Since body piercing (tongue, nose, belly button, etc.) is already limited in age (I believe 18), and since they define body piercing to include ears, what is the need for that second section?

    And why, as Wendy pointed out, is this important?  Kind of reminds me of the booster seat hysteria from last year.

    I guess the answer is, why keep something simple when - with a little effort - it can be made so beautifully complicated.

    Posted by Amy P. on May 23, 2007 at 1520 hrs


  3. There’s a need for the second section.  I read it as follows:

    1.  If the person is under 16, the only piercing they can get is an ear piercing Since they’re under 16, it requires informed consent of the parent or guardian, and the informed consent does not have to be signed in the presence of the practitioner.

    2.  If the person is 16 or 17, they can get a body piercing with informed consent of the parent or guardian signed in the presence of the person doing the piercing.  They can also get an ear piecing, again with parental informed consent, except now it doesn’t have to be signed in the presence of the practitioner.

    3.  If the person is 18 or older, they can give their own informed consent.

    The age cut-off for a body piercing appears to be 16, not 18 (except ear piercing, for which there is no lower limit).

    Posted by Jed on May 23, 2007 at 1610 hrs


  4. I’ve been thinking about ear piercing. With as many assorted ear peirces as my wee wifey has (btw, why do those regulations treat exotic ones the same as the lobe?) I’ve been thinking about getting something to keep my solitary hoop company.

    Posted by triticale on May 23, 2007 at 1707 hrs


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