Staten Island state senators against 'nanny' laws to ban youngsters from tanning salons, 'sexting'

Published: Monday, July 19, 2010, 8:14 AM     Updated: Tuesday, July 20, 2010, 8:17 AM

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- It's one thing for parents to try to enforce their kids' good behavior -- and quite another for state government to try to step in and do it for them.

"Some things are harmful to your health and some things you need your parents' permission for," said state Sen. Diane Savino, "but where do we cross the line between having a nanny state and passing laws to protect kids? Are we, as lawmakers, trying to substitute our judgment for the judgment of parents?"

Already on the books is a state law that requires parental consent before a young person between the ages of 14 and 18 can visit a tanning salon. Ms. Savino and Lanza think that's as far as it should go, and do not favor a bill that would ban teens under 18 altogether because of the potential cancer-causing health risks.

"Are we going to outlaw kids going to the beach?" asked Ms. Savino (D-North Shore/Brooklyn).

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