Iowa Moves to Require Parental Consent for Minors Using Tanning Beds

State legislature approves bill to protect teens from cancer risk of artificial UV exposure.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 3:11pm

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A ghostly, translucent X-ray photograph revealing the intricate internal structure of a tanning bed, with glowing, skeletal lines against a dark background, conceptually illustrating the hidden health risks of artificial UV exposure.An X-ray view exposes the hidden dangers of tanning beds, which significantly increase the risk of developing deadly skin cancer in young users.Cedar Rapids Today

The Iowa House and Senate have voted to approve a bill that would require written parental consent before minors can use commercial tanning beds in the state. The legislation aims to address concerns over the cancer risks associated with artificial UV exposure, especially for young people.

Why it matters

Iowa's proposed law is part of a growing trend among states to regulate teen access to tanning beds, which have been linked to a significantly higher risk of developing melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. While the federal government recently backed away from a proposal to ban teen tanning, Iowa is taking action to protect minors through parental oversight.

The details

The Iowa bill would mandate that minors obtain written permission from a parent or guardian before booking a tanning session at a commercial facility. An earlier version of the legislation also required the consent forms to include a cancer warning, but the Senate removed that provision before approving the bill. The legislation now heads back to the House for a final vote before going to the governor.

  • The Iowa House initially voted to approve the parental consent bill last year.
  • The Iowa Senate passed the amended version of the bill on Monday, April 6, 2026.

The players

Art Staed

An Iowa state senator from Cedar Rapids who has been advocating for this tanning bed regulation policy for over a decade.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration

The federal agency that recently dropped a proposal that would have banned teens from using tanning beds nationwide.

National Institutes of Health

The government research organization that has found using a tanning bed just once before age 35 raises the risk of developing melanoma by 75%.

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What they’re saying

“Other states have acted. Iowa hasn't and that's just not acceptable. We can't regulate the sun, but we can regulate harmful artificial exposure.”

— Art Staed, Iowa State Senator

What’s next

The amended bill must now go back to the Iowa House for a final vote before being sent to the governor for signature into law.

The takeaway

Iowa's proposed parental consent law for teen tanning bed use reflects growing scientific evidence and public health concerns over the cancer risks of artificial UV exposure, especially for young people. As federal regulators step back, states are taking more active steps to protect minors through targeted legislation.