Indoor tanning for minors in Missouri could be a thing of the past.

See Related Stories

2/15/2012: Newspaper Story - The bills would ban children 15 and younger from tanning and require parental consent for teens younger than 17.

3/ 2/2010: Newspaper Story - Bill would also prohibit individuals younger than 16 from tanning and require those under the age of 18 to obtain written parental permission

Intro:	Missouri could be picking up the tab for tanning violations.
RunTime:	0:36
OutCue:	SOC

Wrap: Two house bills regulating indoor tanning, charge violators with class C misdemeanors, meaning fifteen days of jailtime.

State public defender, Kat Kelly says these bills need to change to lighten the case load and cut costs.

Actuality:	KAT.WAV
Run Time:	00:15
Description: "A class C misdemeanor which is currently in both of these bills, does carry fifteen days jail time, possibility of jail time is what triggers the right to a public defender, which means if someone is charged under this legislation and can not afford their own lawyer the state will be picking up the tab."

Changes are being made and the Health Care Policy Committee will vote on the bills next week.

Reporting from the Capitol, I'm Sarah Duffey

Intro:	One lawmaker influenced by his daughter pulls together a tanning be policy.
RunTime:	0:35
OutCue:	SOC

Wrap: Jackson County Republican Representative Gary Cross urged Healthcare Policy Committee to require tanning facilities to get written consent from guardians of underage customers.

Cross says it should be necessary in Missouri for health reasons.

Actuality:	CROSS.WAV
Run Time:	00:11
Description: "In the state of Missouri there are no regulations requiring tanning bed facilities, absolutely zero. We need to educate parents and guidance to young individuals as far as making healthy choices in life."

Cross created the legislation after his daughter got pre-cancerous moles from tanning.

The committee will vote next week.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Sarah Duffey.

Intro:	Testimony on Melanoma skin cancer supported the tanning facility regulation house bill.
RunTime:	0:41
OutCue:	SOC

Wrap: Jefferson City Republican Representative Jay Barnes proposed a bill prohibiting anyone under the age of fifteen to use a tanning bed.

Dr. Rachel Haley from Lee's Summit says there are proven statistics linking health risks to indoor tanning.

Actuality:	HALEY.WAV
Run Time:	00:12
Description: "I'll end with the statistic from the national cancer institute which they found indoor tanning bed users are 74% more likely to develop Melanoma, which is the worst kind of skin cancer, then those who never use tanning beds.

Currently, there are no statewide regulations on indoor tanning, but tanning facilities say they are not worried, many have regulations already in place.

The Healtcare Policy Committee is voting sometime next week.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Sarah Duffey.