Bill would have prevented infections linked to tattoos

Eight years ago, state lawmakers considered a bill that would have set regulations for tattoo and piercing artists -- including a ban on temporary tattoo parlors, such as the Pasadena basement operation linked this week to infections in four teens.

The bill also would have made it illegal to tattoo minors.

But in the face of strong opposition from tattoo artists and their supporters, the bill was quickly killed and has never been introduced again.

"I could see that it was not going to go anywhere," said Sen. Norman Stone of Dundalk, the bill's primary sponsor.

He still thinks his bill was a good one, but figures...