JEFFERSONVILLE, Indiana (March 26, 2014) — True Colors Tanning is proud to announce its lobbying support was critical in helping Indiana to develop and pass legislation prohibiting minors under age 16 from using UV tanning services at tanning facilities in Indiana. Indiana Governor Mike Pence signed the bill into law Tuesday.

Lisa Brooking, President, True Colors Tanning, worked for more than a year with legislators, including Health Committee members State Representative Ed Clere and State Senator Ron Grooms, to help work out the details of the bill. The American Suntanning Association supported the bill, which repeals the current law stating that clients under age 16 could use UV tanning services if accompanied to the salon by a parent.

“The medical community has both proponents and opponents of regular, non-burning UV exposure,” Brooking said. “This law was developed recognizing that balance. True Colors was founded to promote the idea that sunburn prevention is the key, and we will continue to serve our communities with that balanced approach in mind.”

The new law restricts minors under 16 from tanning in any business that offers tanning services. It does not restrict home-usage of tanning devices — which was a concern for many legislators. Home-usage of UV tanning services, without a professional operator to regulate exposure times, typically leads to sunburn.

“The new law is an imperfect solution. We need to teach sunburn prevention to minors under 16 and their parents,” Brooking said. “True Colors believes working with families to teach sunburn prevention — not sun avoidance — is the best way to teach real-world sun care. We’ll continue to do that as part of our mission.”

True Colors Tanning is a salon chain located in five counties in Southern Indiana with one location in Prospect, Kentucky. Established in 2003, True Colors Tanning opened its first location in New Albany, Indiana. They earned the Southern Indiana Rising Star Business in 2005, were voted a Top 250 Tanning Salon nationwide in 2009, and were named the 2010 Southern Indiana Business of the Year and 2012 Small Business Person of the Year from the ISBDC.