Sen. Curtis King’s work to protect young people from skin cancer has made him the Washington State Medical Association’s 2014 Legislator of the Year. Dr. Dale Reisner, association president, presented King, R-Yakima, with the honor at the WSMA annual meeting Saturday.

Earlier this year King shepherded Senate Bill 6065, which prohibits those younger than 18 from using tanning beds, through the legislative process. The new law, which took effect in mid-June, is aimed at reducing cases of melanoma, a deadly form of skin cancer.

“This award is given to folks who have made a difference in medicine,” said Reisner. “Many of Senator King’s legislative colleagues voted yes on the bill because of his passion and out of overall respect for the senator.”

“Over the past several years, I have listened in committee to family members who had daughters that passed away and individuals dealing with melanoma. All were urging us to pass this legislation,” said King. “The harmful effects of using tanning beds at an early age are not realized until later in their lives.”

“I am proud to have sponsored the bill.” said King, who represents the 14th Legislative District. “It is my hope that this award may bring more attention to this important issue. I believe the bill will save some of our young people from years of surgeries and doctor’s visits and will actually save lives.”

“The members of WSMA, especially the dermatologists, were a great help in pushing this bill forward. I appreciated their informative testimonies at committee hearings and their efforts in educating my colleagues about the dangers of underage tanning,” added King.

Washington is now one of seven states that ban the use of tanning beds by children; at least 33 states and the District of Columbia regulate the use of tanning facilities for those younger than 18, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.