A new law signed by Governor Andrew Cuomo on July 30, requires kids under the age of 18 to get parental consent before getting body pierced.
The law is meant to protect teens from infections and blood-borne diseases, such as hepatitis.
According to the Governor's office on the day the bill was signed into law, approximately 20% of all body piercing result in infection, and there is also a risk of contracting hepatitis from the procedure.
The new law, which takes effect on October 30, requires body piercing studios to check the identification of teens, and that underage teens provide a consent form from a parent or legal guardian allowing the procedure to go ahead.
The formed most be signed in the presence of the owner or body piercing specialist at a body piercing studio.
In addition to the underage body piercing ban, the state already banned kids under the age of 16 from using indoor tanning beds, and it's illegal to get a tattoo if you're younger than 18 years old, regardless of parental consent.
