Massachusetts
All body art procedures, which includes tattooing, piercing, branding and scarification, are regulated by the state health board. Salons and individual artists must obtain a permit to practice any kind of body art, and must abide by a set of regulations with regards to sanitation and safety of equipment. Clients for any body art must sign a standardized informed consent document provided by the health board, which outlines the risks of such body art as well as providing guidance for after care and how to file a complaint. Tattooing, branding, scarification and piercings of the genitalia are completely banned for anyone under 18, even with parental consent. Piercing of areas other than the genitalia are allowed if the parent appears in person, presents proper identification and signs a consent document.
Tattooing was completely banned in Massachusetts from 1962 to 2000 which was prompted by a series of hepatitis outbreaks and concerns about unsanitary practices in salons. During this time, many residents simply traveled out of state to get tattooed. This ban was declared unconstitutional in 2000. As a result of the ban, many tattoo parlors and shops opened for business along the state line in neighboring states, especially in northern suburbs of Providence, Rhode Island. Most of these shops are still in business.
Read more about this topic: Legal Status Of Tattooing In The United States