COLUMBUS, Ohio – Before adjourning for the year, the Ohio Senate approved measures restricting the use of red-light cameras and prohibiting the use of tanning beds by minors without their parents’ permission.
Gov. John Kasich is expected to sign the bill that requires a law enforcement officer to be present for tickets to be issued from traffic cameras. The Senate agreed Thursday night to changes made by the House.
The legislation would regulate the statewide use of the traffic-monitoring devices, though opponents say it’s tantamount to a ban. Traffic cameras surged in use but have faced increasing pushback, including legal challenges to their constitutionality and criticism they’re nothing more than moneymakers for cities. Voters in Cleveland and one of its suburbs were the latest to ban them in November.
Some police departments have expressed opposition, saying the cameras lead drivers to behave more responsibly and increase traffic safety.
Minors would need to get their parents’ permission to use tanning beds under another bill that cleared the Senate on a 26-4 vote Thursday.
The legislation requires parents to sign a consent form in the presence of a salon operator or employee for a 16- or 17-year-old to tan. It’s valid for 90 days. Parents of children under age 16 must sign the form before each tanning session, and they must be present for the duration of the tanning sessions. The form describes the health risks of tanning.
Employees or facility operators could be fined and have their licenses revoked for violating the requirements.
The measure also would require the state Board of Cosmetology to regulate salons using tanning chemicals, such as spray-on tans.