Governor Signs Legislation to Reduce Minors’ Risk for Skin Cancer

BOSTON — Gov. Charlie Baker signed legislation last week to reduce the risk of skin cancer among minors by increasing the minimum age for the use of tanning facilities to 18 years old.

During consideration of the bill, medical associations including Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, the American Cancer Society, the Melanoma Foundation of New England, the Children’s Melanoma Prevention Foundation, and the families of skin-cancer victims Glenna Kohl and Jay Farley testified in support of its passage.

“With the number of minors diagnosed with skin cancer on the rise across Massachusetts and the nation, this legislation takes a critical step towards increasing awareness and protecting our most vulnerable,” Baker said. “I thank the Legislature for their attention to this important issue to protect the health and ensure the safety of youth throughout the Commonwealth.”

Added state Sen. Jim Timilty, the “signing of legislation to limit minors’ use of tanning beds is the culmination of 10 years of work to help protect the children of the Commonwealth from a known carcinogen. The hope is that this new law will help diminish the prevalence of skin cancer in young people. I’m grateful to the Kohl and Farley families for sharing their stories and joining me in this fight.”

State Rep. Marjorie Decker noted that “this legislation is about protecting young people from carcinogenic UV rays that we know cause cancer. I am proud to have worked on legislation that will help save lives and want to thank Gov. Baker for signing this into law.”