COLUMBIA, S.C. -- Gov. Mark Sanford has signed a bill to allow tattoo artists to make their marks legally.

State health officials must develop regulations before tattoos can be offered to the public. Officials say that could take several months.

Sanford said he supported lifting the ban on tattoos as long as public health is protected. He said he's confident the bill will protect the public.

The Department of Health and Environmental Control must write regulations, get approval from the agency's board, hold publichearings and send the new rules to the Legislature, which meets in January.

The law requires tattoo artists to use disposable needles and obtain a parent's permission for anyone ages 18 to 21 to get atattoo.

The bill also bans tattooing of the face, neck and head. No one under 18 can get a tattoo.

Oklahoma is now the only state to ban tattooing.