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(Des Moines, IA) -- Legislation that would send age limits on the use of tanning beds is continuing to move through the Iowa legislature. House File 524 is aimed at addressing the state's rise in cancer rates, and the bill specifically calls out the increased risk of melanoma. State Rep. Hans Wilz (R-Ottumwa) floor managed the proposal in the Iowa House.
"I think in general the whole conversation about cancer rates in Iowa is a concern," Wilz says. "We have to look at every possible angle. Every way we can find ways to prevent that from happening. This is one piece. Maybe a small piece. But, any time you build a puzzle and you're missing a piece it's never complete."
The bill would ban those under 16 from using commercial tanning beds all together, and it would require parental permission for 16- and 17-year-olds. It would also require businesses to give information to parents on the cancerous risks before they sign off. Wilz says this is not aimed at the tanning industry as a whole, but at the bad actors.
"Most of the tanning salons right now are doing it," Wilz says. "But it's the facilities that don't do it. People that charge for tanning whether it's a subscription, through an apartment, through rental. All of those people have to have some of the same messaging out there so that the kids and their parents know this is probably not something safe."
The bill is moving with bipartisan support. State Rep. Josh Turek (D-Council Bluffs) served on the subcommittee.
"Iowa [has the] second highest rates of cancer," Turek says. "Only state with a growing cancer rate. Fifth highest rates of melanoma. 1,600 new melanomas per year. We are one of only six states without any restrictions on this issue."
The bill passed the Iowa House on Monday and is now eligible for discussion in the Iowa Senate, though Wilz says he doesn't know who will be taking it up.
"To be honest with you, that's not the way I work," Wilz says. "I work on bills that I think are right for Iowans, especially when it comes to cancer. I think we have a large group of folks over in the Senate that would look the same way. Do I have an advocate or someone I'm going to hand it off to? No, I don't. But this is the right thing to do."