Question: Is it a crime to allow children under 18 years of age to get a tattoo in the State of Indiana? Answer: Yes. In Indiana, it is also clear that the tattoo artist can be charged with a crime. Pursuant to I.C. 35-45-21-4 Tattooing or body piercing a minor; penalty, this law defines “tattoo” as: (1) any indelible design, letter, scroll, figure, symbol, or other mark placed with the aid of needles or other instruments; or (2) any design, letter, scroll, figure, or symbol done by scarring; upon or under the skin… This section also states that a person who recklessly, knowingly, or intentionally provides a tattoo to a person who is less than eighteen (18) years of age commits tattooing a minor, a Class A misdemeanor…A person may provide a tattoo to a person who is less than eighteen (18) years of age upon a person who is less than 18 years of age if a parent or legal guardian of the person receiving the tattoo…is present at the time the tattoo is provided or the body piercing is performed; and provides written permission for the person to receive the tattoo or undergo the body piercing. Notwithstanding IC 36-1-3-8(a), a unit of government may adopt an ordinance that is at least as restrictive or more restrictive than this section.
Question: Is it a crime to allow children under 18 years of age to get a tattoo in the State of Indiana?
Answer: Yes. In Indiana, it is also clear that the tattoo artist can be charged with a crime. Pursuant to I.C. 35-45-21-4 Tattooing or body piercing a minor; penalty, this law defines “tattoo” as: (1) any indelible design, letter, scroll, figure, symbol, or other mark placed with the aid of needles or other instruments; or (2) any design, letter, scroll, figure, or symbol done by scarring; upon or under the skin… This section also states that a person who recklessly, knowingly, or intentionally provides a tattoo to a person who is less than eighteen (18) years of age commits tattooing a minor, a Class A misdemeanor…A person may provide a tattoo to a person who is less than eighteen (18) years of age upon a person who is less than 18 years of age if a parent or legal guardian of the person receiving the tattoo…is present at the time the tattoo is provided or the body piercing is performed; and provides written permission for the person to receive the tattoo or undergo the body piercing. Notwithstanding IC 36-1-3-8(a), a unit of government may adopt an ordinance that is at least as restrictive or more restrictive than this section.
A