The first week of February finds 40 state legislatures actively meeting.
Upcoming Hearing
February 8, 2022, at 10:30 am ET – New Hampshire House Executive Departments and Administration Committee Hearing on HB 1171 and HB 1560
HB 1171 would exempt the following niche beauty services from licensure: eyelash extension application, blow dry and hair styling, makeup application, threading, persons who provide cosmetology services for theatrical purposes, etc., and persons who demonstrate use of cosmetic beauty aids or equipment.
HB 1560 provides for one-to-one licensure reciprocity for beauty industry professions similarly licensed in another state.
Kentucky Scholarship Bill Advances
Kentucky’s House Education Committee favorably reported HB 234 to the House floor last week. As previously reported, the bill makes proprietary institutions—including cosmetology schools—eligible for the Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship (KEES) and states that KEES eligible proprietary schools must: 1) be licensed by the Kentucky Commission on Proprietary Education, the Kentucky Board of Barbering, the Kentucky Board of Cosmetology, the Kentucky Board of Nursing, or the Kentucky Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors; 2) have been in operation for at least five years; and 3) have its headquarters or main campus physically located in Kentucky. KEES provides scholarships—ranging from $125 to $500 for each year of college—to students who earn at least a 2.5 GPA each year of attendance at a certified Kentucky high school.
A WFPL article states that “the measure had broad support in committee, though several members expressed concerns about how much it would cost. Rep. James Tipton, a Republican from Taylorsville, noted KEES funds are raised by the state lottery and are therefore limited.”
Kentucky Styling Bill Introduced
Kentucky Senator Alice Kerr (R) introduced a bill last week to change the state’s “blow dry services” license to a “shampoo and style services” license. The course of instruction for the new license would be 300 hours, which is a 150 hour decrease from the current blow drying license. SB 113 defines “shampoo and style services” to include any of the following performed on hair: “arranging; cleaning; curling; dressing; blow drying; or performing any other similar procedure.” The measure also contains provisions providing for temporary event services permits.
Of special interest to schools, Kentucky SB 113 would eliminate current restrictions of when hours may be given. Current law states that hours can only be awarded during “an uninterrupted period with not more than eight (8) hours nor less than four (4) hours of instruction a day, exclusive of Sundays; except that in the state area vocational schools, the required hours of instruction may be offered according to the schedule for other vocational classes in the school.”
Virginia Senate Passes Cosmetology Hour Reduction Bill
Virginia’s Senate voted unanimously (39 to 0) last Friday to pass a bill stating that the Board for Barbers and Cosmetology cannot require more than 1,000 hours for an initial license to practice cosmetology. Earlier in the week, the Senate General Laws and Technology Committee amended the bill to remove a similar provision for barbering. The measure is currently awaiting transmittal to the House of Delegates.
West Virginia and Mississippi Legislatures Advance Bills
In West Virginia, the House of Delegates voted unanimously (87 to 0) last week to pass a bill to allow the West Virginia Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists to establish cosmetology apprenticeships. HB 4024 has been transmitted to the Senate and referred to the chamber’s Government Organization Committee.
The House also passed HB 2325 by a vote of 86 to 7. As previously reported, the measure would eliminate continuing education for West Virginia barbers and cosmetologists. The measure is also in the Senate Government Organization Committee, which has scheduled a February 2 hearing on the bill.
Mississippi’s Senate Accountability, Efficiency, Transparency Committee favorably reported a Committee Substitute to SB 2647 on Monday. The bipartisan Mississippi bill would create a combined barbering and cosmetology board and abolish the Board of Barber Examiners. The new nine-member board “will consist of one (1) cosmetologist who is a salon owner, two (2) barbers, one (1) cosmetology or barber instructor, one (1) manicurist, one (1) esthetician, one (1) member of the public who is not a cosmetologist, barber or related profession and the State Health Officer, or his or her designee.” The Committee Substitute added favorable language permitting a school owner (if appropriately licensed) or instructor to occupy the instructor seat on the Board. The bill will next be considered on the Senate floor.
A Mississippi House bill that removes language prohibiting elected officials from serving on the State Board of Barber Examiners was favorably reported from the House Accountability, Efficiency, and Transparency Committee. HB 161 will next be considered on the House floor.
Other Bill Introductions
Hawaii HB 2109/SB 3077—The bills were introduced at the request of the state’s Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to eliminate inconsistent provisions in chapter 438 (barbering) and chapter 439 (cosmetology). The bills would also raise the penalties and fines for unlicensed activity and license violations and remove the medical clearance requirement for licensees.
Illinois HB 4814—The measure would allow schools to offer up to 25% of total hours online, including “related theory courses and a portion of related practicum courses.” Under current regulations, Illinois schools can provide up to 10% of the total program length—limited to theory hours—online.
Ohio HB 542—This 122-page bipartisan bill contains updates to the state’s barbering and cosmetology practice acts. While AACS is continuing to analyze the bill, it does currently contain hour reductions for either barbering or cosmetology.
South Dakota HB 1169—The bill would reduce the course of instruction for barbering from 1,550 hours to 1,500 hours and authorize various licensure fees.
Bill Text and Questions
Please visit AACS’ Bill Tracking Portal for bill text and status. You may also contact Brian Newman at bnewman@abingdonstrategies.com or by phone at (202) 491-5254 with comments or questions.