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Bill

HB 2109

Regulating permanent cosmetics.

2023-2024 Regular Session Introduced by Carolyn Eslick and 3 co-sponsors

Washington HB 2109 establishes licensing and safety standards for permanent cosmetics practitioners to protect consumers from infection, injury, and unsafe procedures in an currently unregulated industry.

House Rules "X" file.
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Bill Summary · HB 2109

Legislative bill overview

HB 2109 establishes state regulatory standards for permanent cosmetics procedures, including requirements for practitioner licensing, facility sanitation, equipment sterilization, and consumer safety protocols. The bill creates oversight mechanisms to ensure permanent cosmetic services—such as tattooed eyebrows, lip color, and eyeliner—meet health and safety standards similar to those for other body modification procedures.

Why is this important

Permanent cosmetics is a growing industry with significant health risks if performed improperly, including infections, allergic reactions, scarring, and bloodborne pathogen transmission. Currently, Washington lacks specific regulatory frameworks for these procedures, leaving consumers vulnerable to unsafe practices and giving legitimate practitioners an uneven playing field against unlicensed providers.

Potential points of contention

  • Licensing and cost burden: New licensing requirements may increase service costs for consumers and create barriers to entry for small practitioners, though they protect public health
  • Scope of practice disputes: Questions remain about whether permanent cosmetics should be regulated under tattoo/body art rules, medical boards, or cosmetology licenses, affecting which professionals can legally perform services
  • Enforcement resources: Implementation requires state funding for inspections and complaint investigation, raising questions about regulatory capacity and taxpayer costs versus public protection benefits

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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