The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current, February 12, 1999, Page 6, Image 6
alpha omega campus ministry presents a bible study of jesus Christ fridays @ 8:00 p.m. 425 University Terrace (behind Pound Dorm) office: 436-7177 • house: 436-7202 www.ihcc.org/college.htm LiUMiMtilifi ^MDS Harris Together, We're Making Lives Better -4r' -.j 621 Rose Street, Lincoln www.mdsharris.com/rcrt/recruit.htm ____ Committee puts off piercing bill Responsibility issues of body modifications questioned By Shane Anthony Staff writer A piercing issue raised enough sticking points to kill LB255 Thursday afternoon. The Judiciary Committee voted to indefinitely postpone the bill, intro duced by Bradshaw Sen. Elaine Stuhr, which would have made it a crime to tat too or pierce anyone under the age of 18 without parental consent. No one spoke in opposition to the bill, but committee members had several questions. “That should be a parental responsi bility issue,” Sen. Thomas Baker of Trenton said. He also said health prob lems - one of Stuhr’s concerns - had not been a big issue. Dr. Tom Safranek, state epidemiolo gist, testified as a neutral party. He said potential health risks exist, but they have been “inapparent” so far. No cases of tattoos resulting in hepatitis B, hepatitis C or HIV have been reported in Nebraska, he said. In her testimony, Stuhr said diseases and infections concerned her, but the bill had roots in real life. In October 1997, without parental consent, six 13- and 14-year-old girls received tattoos from a man in York. Authorities told parents the man had broken no laws. At least one parent turned to Stuhr. Thursday, Stuhr presented the com mittee a letter from Renee Steider, whose daughter was involved in the October 1997 incident. “It appears to me if this man keyed my car, I can have him arrested for van dalism,” Steider wrote. “But he can carve on my 13-year-old daughter and leave a marie that will be there for the rest of her life, and he has broken no laws.” ■. 4 * • • •- ■ - ■ * *_* Stuhr introduced a bill in response last year. It failed to pass general file because of time constraints, she said, which disappointed her constituents. “There has been a great deal of con cern from parents,” she said. At least one person who does pierc ings agreed with the bill. “It’s about time somebody does that,” said J. King, who pierces in a small room on the second floor of The Ozone, 120 N. 14th St He said he insists on sterilizing his tools, and he will gladly explain the pro cedure to satisfy questions. With the exception of ear piercings, he said, he would not pierce someone younger than 18 without parental consent. But not everyone operates that way. “Nobody’s watching down on us to make sure we’re clean,” he said. But during the hearing, Omaha Sen. 4* Ernie Chambers questioned who should be watching. He said cities have the authority to pass such laws. Other senators thought the Legislature could look at different ideas. “We need to do something about maybe licensing those people,” said Sen. Dwite Pedersen of Elkhom. Stuhr said the Health and Human Services Department recommended criminal laws be established before licensing. License requirements would mean higher costs for the department, she said, but she might introduce such a bill next session. Stuhr said the weather may have played a part Thursday. Some people who had hoped to testify could not make the hearing because of blowing snow, she said. “They say timing is everything,” she said. Daniel Luedert/DN J.J. KING CLEANS a belly ring he pierced for Nixie Eyiar, 20, of Syracuse, at the O-Zone, 120 N. 14th, Tuesday afternoon. Eyiar decided on her navel for the body piercing, she said, so she can pick and choose who will view it. H J J i H J i TVs I I T « ’77TXS J * liS ! * f.T.l TTTTli I>M aItlHi\HIL rl yiTiniin?LuiTEM[7H^B7*iMnlKUnsTfl[*THiiTw.TlliBhMi7u7TTii[?i¥WTH!THltTiilB --—