California Penal Code

§ 653

PEN § 653Title 15 · Part 1 · Ch. 2

Statute text

Every person who tattoos or offers to tattoo a person under the age of 18 years is guilty of a misdemeanor. As used in this section, to “tattoo” means to insert pigment under the surface of the skin of a human being, by pricking with a needle or otherwise, so as to produce an indelible mark or figure visible through the skin. This section is not intended to apply to any act of a licensed practitioner of the healing arts performed in the course of his practice.

Legislative history

Added by Stats. 1955, Ch. 1422.