[Adopted by the Township Council of the Township of Hamilton 2-2-2021 by Ord. No. 21-003.]
It is hereby declared that the business of operating a tattoo
and body piercing studio, as defined in this chapter, is a business
affecting the public health, safety and general welfare of the Township
of Hamilton.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
The practice of physical body adornment in permitted establishments
by operators utilizing, but not limited to, the following techniques:
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Branding, cutting and implants are not permitted forms of body
art pursuant to this chapter.
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Any place or premises, whether public or private, where the
practices of body art, whether or not for profit, are performed.
The puncturing or penetration of the skin of a person using
pre-sterilized single use needles and the insertion of pre-sterilized
or disinfected jewelry or other adornment thereto in the opening.
The scarification through the application of a heated material
(usually but not always metal) to the skin, creating a serious burn
which eventually results in a scar.
The written approval from the health officer or his or her
representative that said tattooing and/or body piercing establishment
has been inspected and meets all of the terms of this chapter.
A design cut into the skin or other scar tissue using a sharp
blade, leaving a scar. Often the design is immediately rubbed with
ink leaving a colored scar.
The Hamilton Township Division of Health.
The puncturing of the ear lobe and the trailing edge of the
ear using a presterilized single use stud and clasp ear piercing system
following the manufacturer's instructions.
Any person under 18 years of age that has been freed from
the legal authority, care, custody and control of another by the effect
of a written law or court order.
The Township of Hamilton Health Officer or his or her authorized
representative.
Any object implanted fully under the skin.
Any individual, partnership, firm, corporation or otherwise,
or the aforesaid's designee, having ownership, control or custody
of any place of business or employment and who manages the day-to-day
operations of a body art establishment.
The implanting of inert pigments, colors, and/or dyes intradermally
which results in permanent alteration of tissue to gain a cosmetic
effect.
One or more individuals, legal representatives, partnerships,
joint ventures, associations, corporations, business trusts, or any
organized group of persons.
A document or other written or memorialized instrument setting
forth the presenter's true name, address, correct age, or other
identifying data, examples of which include, but are not limited to,
a driver's license, credit card issued by a national company,
birth certificate, passport, employment identification card, or any
instrument issued by a governmental agency setting forth the pertinent
and required information.
Any person that performs the act of tattooing, permanent
cosmetics and/or ear and body piercing.
To reduce or eliminate pathogenic agents on surfaces by a
process which is effective in reducing the number of microorganisms
to a safe level.
Products or items that are disposed of after use on each
client, including, but not limited to, cotton swabs or balls, tissues
or paper products, paper or plastic cups, gauze and sanitary covering,
razors, needles, scalpel blades, stencils and ink cups.
The antimicrobial destruction of all forms of micro-biotic
life, bacterial, viral, fungi or otherwise, including spores, through
the use of a steam sterilizer or autoclave.
Any method of placing ink or other inert pigment into or
under the skin or mucosa by the aid of needles or any other instrument
used to puncture the skin, resulting in permanent coloration of the
skin or mucosa. This includes all forms of permanent cosmetics.
The Township of Hamilton, County of Mercer.
No person shall engage in the business of operating a body art
establishment unless or until such person has obtained a license for
such body art establishment from the Division of Health in accordance
with the terms and provisions of this chapter.
A.
All licenses shall be valid for a period of one year and shall be
renewed annually.
B.
Licensees may renew their licenses prior to expiration by filing
a new application with the Division of Health in the manner prescribed
in this chapter and accompanied by the requisite fee.
C.
All licenses issued pursuant to this chapter shall expire at the
end of the respective calendar year. Renewal applications are due
by December 31 of that year the license expires.
A.
An application for a license under this chapter shall be made to
the Division of Health, in writing, upon such printed forms as provided
by the Division of Health. The application shall be signed by the
applicant under oath and shall contain the following information:
(1)
Applicant's legal name, home address and telephone number.
(2)
Full business name, business address, post office address and business
telephone number.
(3)
Type of ownership of the business, i.e., whether individual, partnership,
firm, corporation or otherwise.
(4)
If the applicant is a partnership, the names and addresses of the
partners.
(5)
If the applicant is a corporation, the names and addresses of all
corporate officers.
(6)
Copy of Business Registration Certificate.
(7)
The apprenticeship, training and/or business experience of the applicant
in the business or occupation for which the license is sought.
(8)
The length of time that the applicant has engaged in such business
or occupation.
(9)
Plans and specifications illustrating the location of the proposed
body art establishment and a floor plan of the body art establishment
as it is proposed to be operated. Plans shall indicate the layout
of the reception area, the procedure areas, the cleaning and sterilization
area, the storage area and the toilet facilities.
(10)
An exact inventory of all processing equipment as it is to be
used.
(11)
Statement of approval from the Township Zoning Board of Adjustment
for the proposed construction or expansion of the body art establishment.
(12)
Complete description of all services to be provided.
(13)
Proposed hours of operation.
(14)
Name of the operator and the names of all practitioners to be
initially employed to conduct the body art services.
(15)
Copy of the informed consent for each procedure offered.
(16)
Names and addresses of all manufacturers of processing equipment,
instruments, jewelry, and inks used for any and all body art procedures.
(17)
Make, model and serial number of the applicant's steam
autoclave printed on the back of a photograph of the autoclave.
(18)
Copy of the manufacturer's specifications for the operation
of the autoclave.
(19)
Proof of professional malpractice liability insurance for each
operator and practitioner.
(20)
Current copy of a negative biological indicator test result
required pursuant to N.J.A.C. 8:27-1 et seq., or as same may be amended.
B.
Any license or renewal thereof granted under the provisions of this
chapter shall not be assignable or transferable. Any change of ownership
shall require a new application and license with payment of fees.
C.
Body art establishments existing at the time of the enactment of
this chapter shall be required to submit an application within 30
days after the effective date of this chapter. Body art establishments
failing to apply within the specified time period will be subject
to the penalty provisions of this chapter.
D.
License holders shall notify the Division of Health by mail within
five calendar days of a change in the following information:
(1)
Business name or ownership.
(2)
Area code and telephone number.
(3)
Address change resulting from city or postal service action.
(4)
License status, whether from active to inactive practice or from
inactive to active practice.
(5)
Closure or sale of body art establishment.
(6)
Change in procedures or personnel.
E.
In addition to requirements for any land use applications, persons
constructing or renovating a body art establishment shall submit plans
to the Division of Health and the applicant will be required to comply
with the chapter, as well as all other applicable codes, regulations
or laws.
F.
All body art establishments shall handle, store, package, label,
transport and dispose of contaminated (body fluids) contact waste
materials as medical waste in accordance with the provisions and standards
found within N.J.A.C. 7:26-3A, or as same may be amended.
A.
When said application is complete, signed by the applicant and has been filed with the Division of Health with all accompanying information, the Division of Health shall review the application for compliance with this chapter and N.J.A.C. 8:27-2.1 et seq., or as same may be amended, and conduct an inspection in accordance with § 133-12.
B.
If as a result of such investigation and inspection the applicant
is found to be in compliance with this chapter and N.J.A.C. 8:27-2.1
et seq., or as same may be amended, the Division of Health shall approve
the application, so mark the application in writing, and shall execute
and deliver to the applicant the license. A copy and any renewals,
suspensions or revocations of the license shall be kept on file in
the Hamilton Township Division of Health.
C.
If as a result of such investigation and inspection the applicant
is found to not be in compliance with this chapter and N.J.A.C. 8:27-2.1
et seq., or as same may be amended, the Division of Health shall deny
such application, so mark the application in writing and indicate
reasons for same and shall notify the applicant that the application
is denied. The applicant shall be notified of its right to appeal
the denial.
D.
The Division of Health shall either approve or disapprove of the
application in writing within 30 days from the date of submission
of the application to the Division of Health.
E.
Any applicant denied a license, pursuant to the provisions set forth
in this chapter and N.J.A.C. 8:27-2.1 et seq., or as same may be amended,
may appeal to the Division of Health, in writing, and request an opportunity
for a hearing within a reasonable time, not to exceed 15 business
days from the date of the Division of Health's disapproval of
the application.
Applications for licenses and annual licenses for all Body Art Establishments are set forth in Chapter 215, Fees, of the Township Code.
A.
Licenses issued under this chapter may be revoked by the Division
of Health, after notice and a hearing, when in the Division's
opinion such action is necessary to abate a present or threatened
menace to the public health.
B.
The following shall be reason(s) for revocation:
(1)
Failure or lack of properly functioning equipment;
(2)
Unsanitary or unsafe conditions which may adversely impact the health
of the public;
(3)
The Division of Health has reasonable cause to suspect that a communicable
disease is, or may be, transmitted by an operator or practitioner;
(4)
The operator or practitioner has demonstrated gross Incompetence
in performing tattooing, body piercing, ear piercing, or micropigmentation;
(5)
The operator obtained or attempted to obtain a license by means of
fraud, misrepresentation or concealment;
(6)
The operator or practitioner has been convicted in this or any other
state of a crime directly related to the practice of tattooing, body
piercing, ear piercing, or micropigmentation;
(7)
The operator or practitioner has permitted a genital piercing upon
a person under 18 years of age; and
(8)
The operator has failed to prevent implants, branding and cutting
to be performed in an establishment.
C.
Notice for the hearing for the revocation of a license shall be given in writing, setting forth specifically the grounds of the complaint and the time and place of the hearing. Such notice shall be served pursuant to § 133-15 at least five days prior to the date set for the hearing.
D.
Such license may, pending revocation proceedings, be suspended for
not more than 10 days by the Division of Health when, in its opinion,
the conduct of the operator is detrimental to the health, safety and
general welfare of the Township.
E.
The Health Officer or his or her designee shall serve as the hearing
officer for any hearing pursuant to this section.
Notwithstanding the provisions of § 133-8D, the following shall be cause for, at a minimum, a seven-day suspension:
A.
Failure to report to the Division of Health within 24 hours any infection
or injury requiring a medical referral;
B.
Performing a body art procedure on any person under the age of 18
years of age, without the presence, written consent, and proper identification
of a parent or legal guardian;
C.
Failure to notify the Division of Health within 24 hours of a positive
biological indicator test result of the autoclave; and
D.
Using an ear piercing instrument for any part of the body other than
the ear lobes and trailing edge of the ear.
A.
Any operator whose license has been revoked under the provisions
of this chapter may apply to be relicensed upon filing of proof that
all loss caused by the acts or omissions for which the license was
revoked have been fully satisfied and that all conditions imposed
by the decision of the revocation have been complied with.
The license and inspection placard shall be displayed in a conspicuous
place readily visible to the clients upon entering the main entrance.
A.
The Division of Health, upon receiving an application for a license,
shall review the application for compliance with this chapter and
N.J.A.C. 8:27-2.1 et seq., or as same may be amended, for such body
art establishment.
B.
No body art establishment shall be issued a license or be operated,
established or maintained in the Township unless inspections by the
appropriate municipal departments reveal that the body art establishment
complies with the minimum requirements of the Uniform Construction
Code, this chapter and N.J.A.C. 8:27-2.1 et seq., or as same may be
amended.
C.
Once a license has been approved the Division of Health shall inspect
every body art establishment as often as it deems necessary using
an inspection report form approved by the New Jersey Department of
Health.
(1)
A representative of the Division of Health shall provide proper identification.
(2)
The operator shall permit access to all parts of the body art establishment
and all pertinent records required for the inspection shall be made
available to the Division of Health representative for review.
(3)
An inspection report shall identify in a narrative form any violations
of this chapter and N.J.A.C. 8:27-2.1 et seq., or as same may be amended,
and shall be cross-referenced to the section of the chapter and regulation
being violated.
(4)
Results of the inspection shall be made available to the public upon
request.
Every establishment shall comply with the following:
A.
The following actions shall be prohibited:
(1)
Implants under the skin shall not be performed in a body art establishment.
(2)
Scarification such as branding and cutting shall not be performed
in a body art establishment.
(3)
No operator or practitioner shall perform any body piercing procedure
upon a person under 18 years of age without the presence, written
consent, and proper identification of a parent or legal guardian.
(4)
No operator or practitioner shall perform genital piercing upon a
person under 18 years of age regardless of parental consent.
(5)
No tattoo or permanent cosmetics shall be applied to any person under
18 years of age, without the presence, written consent, and proper
identification of a parent or legal guardian.
(6)
No operator or practitioner shall practice or attempt to practice
body art in a non-licensed establishment.
(7)
No practitioner shall operate a body art establishment unless it
is at all times under the direct supervision of an operator.
(8)
No operator shall display a sign or in any way advertise or purport
to be a practitioner or to be engaged in the business of body art
without first obtaining a license from the Division of Health pursuant
to this chapter.
Whenever notice is given pursuant to this chapter, such notice
may be effected by personal service upon the licensee if the licensee
is an individual, upon any general partner if the licensee is a partnership,
or upon any corporate officer, if the licensee is a corporation, by
certified mail, return receipt requested, to the last address listed
in the Division of Health's office in conjunction with the license
information. It shall be the duty of each licensee to keep the Division
of Health advised of any subsequent change of address. Upon failure
of a licensee to comply with this requirement, any notice returned
with the notation "unknown", "moved", or "not claimed" shall be deemed
proper service of all notices required by this chapter.
The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to any physician
who is authorized by the State Board of Medical Examiners to practice
medicine pursuant to N.J.S.A. 45:9-1 et seq., and N.J.S.A. 26:1A-9
et seq., or as same may be amended.
An operator or practitioner who violates any provision of this chapter shall be subject to enforcement action authorized by this chapter, N.J.A.C. 8:27-1 et seq., civil penalties as provided by N.J.S.A. 26:1A-10 and all other applicable law and/or injunctive action as provided by law, including but not limited by Chapter 1, General Provisions, § 1-2 of the Township Code.
In the event that any portion of this chapter is found to be
invalid for any reason by any Court of competent jurisdiction, such
judgment shall be limited in its effect only to the portion of the
chapter actually adjudged to be invalid, and the remaining portions
of this chapter deemed severable therefrom shall not be affected.
