ST. CLOUD — The Minnesota Red Cross expects hundreds more blood donors each year now because a tattoo waiting period has been lifted.

People with tattoos used to have to wait 12 months before donating blood to protect against the spread of disease caused by unlicensed tattoo artists reusing needles and ink.

But a relatively new law in Minnesota that requires all body art technicians to be licensed, the Red Cross has lifted the waiting period. Red Cross Minnesota’s Sue Gonsior said 1,000 additional donors are expected across the state.

More than 133,000 people donated blood in Minnesota last year.