COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio lawmakers have sent legislation to Gov. John Kasich’s desk that are intended to restart executions in the state and restrict the use of tanning beds by teenagers.
One bill would shield the names of companies that provide the state with lethal injection drugs. Supporters say such confidentiality is necessary to obtain supplies of the drugs, and the measure is needed to restart Ohio’s executions. But opponents say it’s naive to think the bill can truly protect companies’ names from being revealed.
The Ohio House approved the measure Wednesday as lawmakers finished work for the two-year legislative session. The Senate passed it last week.
A prosecutor has said he expects the legislation to spur lawsuits, making it impossible to carry out the February execution of a condemned child killer as planned.
Under another measure that cleared the Statehouse before the end of the session, minors would need to get their parents’ permission to use tanning beds.
The House passed legislation 72-2 Wednesday requiring parents to sign a consent form in the presence of a salon operator or employee for a 16- or 17-year-old to tan. The Senate already passed the measure.
The form describes the health risks of tanning and is valid for 90 days. With 16-year-olds, parents would have to sign it before each tanning session and remain present for the duration of each session.
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 that use tanning chemicals, such as spray-on tans.