This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
A Senate bill seeking to ban false advertising for cosmetic surgery curved into some rowdy debate on Thursday before it was defeated.
Sen. Todd Weiler, R-Woods Cross, said his SB85 sought to ensure that before-and-after pictures of such surgery are real or do not grossly exaggerate expected results.
Sen. Jim Dabakis, D-Salt Lake City, laughingly asked that when it comes to picture ads of breast augmentation, "Who is going to check the original against" the "after" photo? "I would volunteer."
Weiler responded, "I don't think the good senator is qualified." Dabakis is the only openly gay member of Legislature.
Sen. Howard Stephenson, R-Draper, joked he would support the bill if it also covered health-supplement ads. "I've spent thousands of dollars to get hair, get big muscles, get six-pack abs and lose weight. And the advertisements that I've dealt with" haven't worked.
The bill died on a 11-12 vote amid concern over unintended consequences. It had also once died previously in committee when it sought truth in photos in all advertising, but Weiler resurrected it to cover just some surgery ads that had upset constituents.
— Lee Davidson