324.520. Definitions--tattooing, branding, body piercing, prohibited, when, penalty.

MISSOURI STATUTES AND CODES

324.520. Definitions--tattooing, branding, body piercing, prohibited, when, penalty.

Definitions--tattooing, branding, body piercing, prohibited, when,penalty.

324.520. 1. As used in sections 324.520 to 324.524, the followingterms mean:

(1) "Body piercing", the perforation of human tissue other than anear for a nonmedical purpose;

(2) "Branding", a permanent mark made on human tissue by burning witha hot iron or other instrument;

(3) "Controlled substance", any substance defined in section 195.010,RSMo;

(4) "Minor", a person under the age of eighteen;

(5) "Tattoo", one or more of the following:

(a) An indelible mark made on the body of another person by theinsertion of a pigment under the skin; or

(b) An indelible design made on the body of another person byproduction of scars other than by branding.

2. No person shall knowingly tattoo, brand or perform body piercingon a minor unless such person obtains the prior written informed consent ofthe minor's parent or legal guardian. The minor's parent or legal guardianshall execute the written informed consent required pursuant to thissubsection in the presence of the person performing the tattooing, brandingor body piercing on the minor, or in the presence of an employee or agentof such person. Any person who fraudulently misrepresents himself orherself as a parent is guilty of a class B misdemeanor.

3. A person shall not tattoo, brand or perform body piercing onanother person if the other person is under the influence of intoxicatingliquor or a controlled substance.

4. A person who violates any provisions of sections 324.520 to324.526 is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be fined not more than fivehundred dollars. If there is a subsequent violation within one year of theinitial violation, such person shall be fined not less than five hundreddollars or more than one thousand dollars.

5. No person under the age of eighteen shall tattoo, brand or performbody piercing on another person.