By T.W. Budig
ECM capitol reporter

A new state law could trace back to a pierced bellybutton somewhere in District 17.

The Senate on Thursday (March 8) placed for a final vote a bill by Sen. Rick Olseen, DFL-Harris, that require minors to bring a parent or guardian along to sign a release in order for them to get a body piercing.

On the Senate floor, Olseen explained the legislation originated from a constituent whose 13-year-old daughter returned home with a newly pierced bellybutton.

But debate on Olseen's bill took a turn when Sen. Tom Neuville, R-Northfield, attempted to amend the bill to extend the need for parental permission to minors getting birth control and other services currently not requiring parental consent.

"Body piercing is nothing," said Neuville in comparison to getting birth control.

But Sen. Don Betzold, DFL-Fridley, challenged the germaneness of Neuville's amendment.

Senate President Sen. Jim Metzen, DFL-South St. Paul, ruled the amendment was not germane and his ruling was challenged.

But on a 43 to 22 vote, the ruling was upheld.

"I may be a freshman. But I saw it coming," said Olseen after the floor session.

Sen. Betsy Wergin, R-Princeton, appealed on the Senate floor for Olseen to expend the breadth of his bill.

"Draft your own bill," Olseen replied to Wergin.

A piercing bill in the House carried by Rep. Mary Otremba, DFL-Long Prairie, has yet to reach the House floor.

If the bill is finally passed by the Senate it will be Olseen's — a freshman lawmaker — first bill.

According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, some of risks of body piercing include infections, abscess formation, injury to glands, and if done in the mouth, Ludwig's angina.

Local lawmakers voting in favor of Neuville's amendment are: Gerlach, Jungbauer, Koch, Koering, Limmer, Pariseau, Robling, Vandeveer, and Wergin.

Local lawmakers voting against: Betzold, Chaudhary, Doll, Ropes, Foley, Metzen, Olseen, and Rummel.