A

BILL

TO

Regulate body adornments, introduce minimum age for body adornments and regulate piercing equipment.

BE IT ENACTED by the Queen’s most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—

Section 1: Interpretations

(1) “Body adornment” shall mean the piercing of holes in parts of the body other than the ear in order to insert rings, studs, or other pieces of jewellery.

(2) “authorised person” shall mean a person with a license from their local authority that uses instruments on the relevant person to give a body adornment.

(3) “relevant person” shall mean a person getting a body adornment done by an authorised person.

(4) “Piercing gun” or “piercing instrument” shall mean a device used to pierce the skin with the intention of inserting a piece of jewelry or decoration.

(5) “Piercing needle” shall mean a hollow needle with a triangular tip or a cannula needle from a certified supplier.

(6) “The Secretary of State” shall mean the Secretary of State for Health & Social Care.

Section 2: Age of consent for body adornment

(1) The procedure to get a body adornment may only be undertaken once the relevant person has reached 12 years of age.

(a) If the relevant person is under 16 years of age they shall need to have the consent of a parent or guardian the relevant person shall provide photographic ID if they claim to be over 16 years of age.

(2) Consent must be given in person by the relevant person, where they must sign a form signifying the granting of their consent which the authorised person and the parent of the relevant person must retain for their records.

Section 3: Use of piercing instruments

(1) Any authorised person shall only use a piercing needle to give the relevant person a body adornment.

(a) If the authorised person uses anything other than a piercing needle, they shall be liable to a fine not exceeding £3,500.

(2) The Secretary of State may amend the meaning of a piercing needle in line with medical and expert advice.

Section 4: Commencement

(1) This act shall extend across England and Wales.

(a) This act shall only apply in Wales following the passage of a Legislative Consent Motion in Senedd Cymru.

(2) This Act shall come into force immediately after receiving Royal Assent and immediately in Wales after the Legislative Consent Motion passing.

Section 5: Short title

(1) This Act may be cited as the Body Adornments (Regulation) Act 2021

This Bill was submitted by the Right Honourable Sir a1fie335 KCB PC MP MSP MS, Leader of the Liberal Democrats on behalf of the Liberal Democrats with co-sponsorship from the Conservatives & Unionist Party, Coalition! and the Libertarian Party UK.

A01

In Section 2 (1) replace

" (a) If the relevant person is under 16 years of age they shall need to have the consent of a parent or guardian the relevant person shall provide photographic ID if they claim to be over 16 years of age. "

with

" (a) If the relevant person is under 16 years of age they shall need to have the consent of a parent or guardian. In any case the relevant person shall provide photographic ID if they claim to be over 16 years of age."

explanation: Makes the wording clearer.

This amendment was submitted by the Rt Hon. Lord Kearton KP KD OM CMG CBE MVO PC.

A02

In section 2 for 12 substitute 10

A03

In section 3 for "£3,500" substitute "level three on the standard scale of fines".

A04

after section 3 insert

Section 4 - Religious Liberty

There shall be a general exemption from this bill for legal religious or cultural piecing practices of children below the age of this act where the piercing is safe, consistent with the child welfare and best interests, and for clarity does not constitute an offence.

A05

in section 4 omit "and Wales" and 4(1)(a)

EN: there is existing legislation in the senedd which is a carbon copy of this

These amendments were submitted by The Right Honourable Baron of Blaenavon.

Vote content/not content/present on each of these amendments below by 5th April 2021 at 10pm BST.