Those under 18 will soon have to get parental or legal guardian permission before getting a body piercing, according to legislation signed into law by Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

“Body piercing can result in severe health risks and it is our obligation as New Yorkers and parents to make sure that our teens are taking every precaution to remain healthy and safe,” Governor Cuomo said. “I thank Senator Robach and Assembly Member Simanowitz for their hard work on this legislation.”

The measure signed into law will take effect in 90 days.

The move is aimed at reducing the risk of hepatitis and Cuomo’s office says approcimately 20 percent of all body piercings result in some sort of infection.

The new law requires that body piercing studios ID teens and make sure that those under 18 have a consent form signed by a parent or guardian that was approved in the prescence of an owner or body piercing specialist at the business.

A “body piercing” counts as any part of the body other than the ear.

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