(Columbia-AP) Feb. 11, 2004 - Legislators who support a bill legalizing tattooing in South Carolina are increasingly optimistic it might become law after it passed the House Medical, Municipal and Military Affairs Committee.

The bill passed the Senate earlier this year. The House Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs Committee added two amendments before passing it 11-4 Tuesday.

Columbia Representative Joe Brown says the bill could come up for debate in the House as early as Thursday, but more likely next week.

The bill was met with some opposition. West Columbia Representative Mac Toole introduced an amendment to prevent people younger than 18 from getting a tattoo. His amendment passed but he still voted against the bill.

Lexington Senator Jake Knotts, who has worked to keep tattoo parlors out of the state for years, stepped aside this year and let the bill pass, mainly because he says the businesses need to be regulated.

Knotts added an amendment to a bill that would limit tattoo artists to that and nothing else. Under the amendment, they could not sell retail goods or engage in body piercing and would have to maintain state health standards.

Republican Senator Bill Mescher of Pinopolis, the bill's sponsor says it's necessary, because it will make tattooing safer in South Carolina. He also says illegal tattooing has posed untold health risks in the state. The House previously rejected four other bills to legalize tattoo parlors.

If it is passed by the House, it must be signed by Governor Mark Sanford to become law.

Like many other states across the country, South Carolina passed a law in the 1960s to outlaw tattooing. Only Oklahoma and South Carolina continue the ban. Many residents travel to neighboring states to get their bodies decorated.

posted 8:38am by Chris Rees