State lawmaker says death of tattoo bill could increase health problems

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- It appears Oklahoma will remain the only state in the nation to outlaw tattooing after a House committee fails to consider a bill to end the ban.<br/><br/>State Representative Al

Monday, April 18th 2005, 9:00 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- It appears Oklahoma will remain the only state in the nation to outlaw tattooing after a House committee fails to consider a bill to end the ban.

State Representative Al Lindley's bill would allow tattoo parlors to be regulated. He says the current ban increases health problems associated with underground tattooing.

The Oklahoma Department of Health and physicians' groups support the bill.

But Republican Kris Steele -- the chairman of the state House Health and Human Resources Committee -- says he doesn't believe the measure is a health priority for the state. Other opponents have said they oppose the bill based on moral grounds.